[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

One thing to consider is that as a general rule, most people in Italy, Spain, Greece, places like that eat much smaller portions at their meals than what we are accustomed to. So much so, that many Americans would think it was a joke. In addition, traditionally their food is fresh and regional, often picked or caught within hours of eating.

There are many factors in the Mediterranean 'diet' (to use it as an example) that are not factored in when the diet is plucked from the total lifestyle, environment and indigenous genetics of the people, then analyzed as if it were the only factor to health or longevity. The holistic view is lost, in my opinion.

My family originated in Spain. Food in our home was celebrated, appreciated and respected for the gift that it was. We ate all the things (like imported Olive oil) that some feel are so scary today.
My family for the greater part was, and is, trim, athletic, brainey, talented, healthy and long lived. Most who have died, died in their sleep at 90+ years of age, healthy, sharp and alert until the end. Why?

Could it BE genetics? An attitude of gratitude? Positive thinking? Fool's luck?
Special Dispensation? Foods more pure then than they are now? Tomatoes with more inherent nutrients then, than tomatoes of today?

How are we to know beyond a shadow of a doubt? We can only try our best to collect data. Doesn't mean it's the whole picture. That's my point.

Those who want to eat right, do the best they can. Those inclined to want better health than they now have, investigate then discern for themselves the best way to make it happen. MOST of us are now college educated in this country. We know how to read and research, if we want to do so.
Are there those who don't care? You betcha.

Bashing someone over the head with what they are doing wrong, or sensationalizing, challenging or discounting others as a means to occupy one's time, tells me more about the person delivering the message than the message they are delivering.

It may also be that many choose to occupy their time by bashing the "bashers". How is it any different?

To a large extent the problem you were trying to pinpoint is cultural. The only way that will change is to change the culture. Speak up against eating garbage and it will become less socially acceptable, the same way that smoking has become socially unacceptable.