I Am Not The Food Police

Do you have a cause; something you believe in, something you
stand up for, something you want to be heard, something that is truly in the
best interests of others? 

You are knowledgeable, you are passionate, you are sincere and you really want to help others. But it seems as if they are not listening to your message. Step back and ask yourself these questions: Is there a difference between the way I perceive myself and how others perceive me? Is it the content of your message or is it your delivery system?

An important part of wellness is nutrition especially whole food, plant-based nutrition. I recently became aware of a term that describes advocates of nutrition. They are being called “The Food Police.” The Center for Consumer Freedom defines “The Food Police” in this manner:  “Over the years, a growing group of food activists have proposed a litany of authoritarian proposals to tax, legislate,
and litigate away many food and beverage choices.”  Keep in mind that this article is incredibly one sided.

In another article called “The Invasion of the Food Police” the writer states, “As if there wasn't already enough government intervention in the everyday decisions made by a "free" people, there is a new regulatory fad underway — an
Orwellian attempt to get you to eat healthy food whether you like it or not.” Keep
in mind that this article is also one sided.

But this is also becoming a catch-all term for anybody who outspokenly advocates proper nutrition. For the answer to this dilemma let’s go back to the first paragraph. How are you being perceived? Are you being perceived as being obnoxious and overbearing? What is your delivery system? Is your delivery system turning people off because they feel as if they are being hounded?

Empathy is one key. Put yourself in the shoes of the individual you are addressing. How are you making them feel? Is this how you want someone to make you feel?  Listening is another key. When you listen do so to garner understanding, without formulating a response. By formulating a response you are not giving your 100% undivided attention.

Let’s look at a hypothetical example.  A person, after much convincing, decides to start eating salad on a daily basis for lunch instead of a fast food offering. A well meaning individual lectures them on the use of salad dressing and on eating produce that is not organic. How is that person going to feel after being approached in that fashion? Will this have the net effect of being discouraging? Could you have handled the situation in a better fashion?

The truth is you are now part of “The Food Police.” It could have been handled better. If you really were sincere about helping the individual, instead of lecturing maybe you could have treated them to a fresh organic salad with a healthy dressing, perhaps inducing them to ask, “What’s the difference?” At this point you have opened a door for a productive conversation.

I would like to think we all know we could be putting better food into our bodies. I would like to think we would all like to be putting better food into our bodies. I would like to take the opportunity in the upcoming weeks to present proper nutrition, among other things such as exercise, as a part of wellness.

I would like to think “I am not the Food Police.” Instead, I would like to think that I am someone that cares.

Donald C Czaplinsky  www.donaldcjuiceplus.com
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