Supersize Me ... (super size me )
... may as well be the most damaging marketing exercise ever undertaken...
article by Dieter Luske - useNature - Editor ...
Upon closer look, everything on this planet relates back to marketing.
There is not one sector in human society which is not influenced by marketing.
Marketing in itself is neither bad or good, a bit like money, it is "Neutral". However, marketing in the hands of "profit above everything" individuals or companies, can have the most detrimental, devastating effect on our society.
I could mention a few, but it would sound like I am writing an article about the conspiracy theory. Being concerned about general Health, and the ongoing epidemic of obesity with its related health issues, makes me pick just one marketing campaign, which is the now famous term "Supersize" - and related Supersize Me.
Now, where is that term coming from?
Or even some other interesting questions, did they know, or should they have known what negative effect that had on the general population's health?
Back to the first question, if I am not very mistaken, the term supersized is a marketing technique that was coined in the mid-90s by a huge Fast Food chain.
Staff would ask “Would you like that supersized?”
or
“Would you like to super size that?”,
after taking an order.
The famous question; " would you like chips with that, employs the same principle.
( instead of chips it can be anything )
The idea behind this promotion is that for an extra few cents a customer could dramatically increase the size of their meal.
This marketing campaign was extremely successful, to put it mildly.
No doubt, commercially this is an extremely creative way to coerce someone to buy more. The customers have a positive feeling, because it seems to be good value. Unfortunately, that type of value is not very good for your hips. I guess we could ask, should a business have a conscious regarding their customers health.
I guess they would argue, that they are not your nanny, or they can't afford to be too consciences, that they have to keep up with their competition, and finally they would argue, that the customers are responsible, the business just sells something.
From a health point of view, individuals, concerned interest groups and the government have to come up with a marketing concept, which makes the mention of the term > "Supersize Me" - an extremely negative term, and let it backfire and fly in the face of the originators.
Partly that has happened with the release of the movie > "Super Size Me" , a film by Morgan Spurlock, is generally credited with associating the term Supersize with obesity.
After its release, the term adopted this negative connotation.
Unfortunately the fall out is still with us, and lots of food items, have become bigger and stayed that way.
The next marketing campaign should be based on a term like " Under Size Me".
After all, healthy Diet concepts are really not that hard to understand, if you know the basics about :
Food - Energy & Conditioning
By knowing about those principles, you should be fine and have no trouble staying within a healthy range of weight, and those principles should be taught at school.
When I grew up, my grandmother always used to say, stop eating before you are full, and you will always be healthy. That's what I would call under-sizing.
Interestingly, she was right, no idea how she could have known, but it is an established scientific fact ( animal studies) that the only proven way of prolonging life is calorie restriction.
Diet Principles may be even easier understood, if you know how farmers fatten their animals; by feeding them lots of grains, or the technical term, carbohydrates.
Don't read me wrong, it's not that carbohydrates are all bad, it simply that most of us have too much of it. Did you know that:
Carbohydrate is just a fancy word for Sugar.
See below the outline of a basic good balanced diet .
Now, what about Energy?
The basic equation - energy in - energy out - is well known and understood, and makes perfect sense, in simple terms, don't eat more than you require for your normal daily activity.
And finally the term "Conditioning", which may be harder to come to terms with than the other two.
We are all conditioned, in one way or another, regarding food and tastes we grew up with, behaviour we adopted, such as comfort eating, and to make matters worse we have to throw in, addictions - allergies (yes you crave food you are allergic too) and other cravings.
To write about conditioning, may well mean to write a whole book, (sorry no time to day ) but here it is in a nutshell.
Just be aware that you have been conditioned, and that taste is part of this conditioning, so are eating habits. Once you know that, it may be easier for you to not have certain foods to eat.
Believe me, your life doesn't depend on it.
Just think, if you would have been born into a different culture, you would eat now totally different food.
With other words, statements, such a; I can't live without my "cheese cake" are conditioning. Believe me, you can, and while we are at it, here is another one, there is nothing wrong with healthy, wholesome foods, it actually tastes delicious, once again it is just a stupid marketing ( conditioning) campaign that health food tastes bad.
Take control, who is in charge here, the fast food industry or You?
Here is your strategy:
Adopt a good diet, it's easy, lots of veggies, yes lots ... some fruit, some lean protein, and moderate amounts of grains, such as Bread and Pasta.
Stay active, Exercise, do some cardiovascular exercise - some weights, some stretches, do it every day. I do 100 squats while my breakfast egg is boiling, and I do some push ups too.. Yes, move .. become aware that you can do exercise everywhere.
Re-condition yourself, according to what you want out of live, if you like to feel fit and healthy, eat healthy, it's your responsibility, and if you can't do it yourself, get a group together.
Have a look at a diet now ...
... try a Carbohydrate - Protein - Fat Ratio controlled Diet ...
... even so no diet will suit all people, a reasonable sensible diet will be a good start, which you can individualise it later ...
Diet affects the processes of aging and of many disease states such as:
Obesity, Arthritis, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, blood sugar problems, skin problems and
chronic fatigue.
Applying simple dietary rules has brought pronounced results for people who have been trying to lose weight for years. Food has a strong influence on the chemistry of the body.
The balance of protein, carbohydrate and fat in our diet ...
..... determines the amount of glucose (sugar) reaching the blood.
or ... click here for Use Natures Health Manual Menu
Article provided by ...
the editor of Use Nature, Dieter Luske
