The Magic Pill An Overview of the Sociological Causes of the Global Paradigm Shift in Eating and Nutrition Table Of Contents 01. What is Good Food? 03. Food Crisis Basics of nutrition and diet. The conflict theory of the global food crisis. 02. 04. Food History A view into how the food industry has changed in society. Food is Life Do people eat to live or do they live to eat? “Nature is the healer of disease.” —Attributed to Hippocrates Circa 400 BC Introduction The Magic Pill is a controversial documentary that follows doctors, patients, scentitists, farmers, chefs, and journalists around the globe to help support the idea that chronic illnesses can be cured or alleviated if treatment changes from a medication based plan to a focus on food to better health. The film makers promote the Ketogenic (High Fat, Low Carb) diet plan for optimal results. 01. What is Good Food? A Quick Look on the Basics of Nutrition and Diet Basics of Nutrition Food The plants and animals we consume to provide chemicals our bodies need to maintain life and support growth. Nutrition The science that studies food and how food nourishes our body and influences our health. Wellness Traditional defined as simply the absence of disease, wellness is now considered an active process we work on everyday. Chronic Diseases Diseases that come on slowly and can persist for years, often despite treatment. Processed Food Foods that have been manipulated in some way to transform raw ingredients into products for consumption. Whole Food Foods that have been modified as little as possible, remaining i n or near their natural states. Food Diagram Figure 1. MyPlate.gov Full Placemat Image Figure 2. Breakdown for a MCT or Modified Keto Diet USDA Healthy Eating Plate The USDA encourages a balanced diet of the three major macronutrients. The food plan is based on conscious eating and building better habits. This plan was adopted in 2011. Ketogenic Diet Wheel The Ketogenic Diet was created in 1924 and has up to five variations. This strict diet encourages “good” fat intake while limiting protein and carb intake. 02. Food History A View Into How The Food Industry Has Changed In Society Types of Society Timeline Technology made food production a science focusing on output to meet demands. Domestication of animals and plant cultivation. Pastoral Societies Hunter-Gatherer Societies Survived mostly on wild animals and forged food. 100,000 Generations Industrial Society Agricultural Society Made farming profitable and bountiful. 500 Generations The Yolngu Tribe One of the groups of people followed in the documentary is the Yolngu Tribe, the oldest culture on earth spanning 40,000 years. In the last 50 years many lives have been lost to chronic illnesses not previously seen in the tribes health. Many are attributing this rise to the introduction of dominant culture food. Figure 2: https://youtu.be/IvFG7QH0oW0 The Way Food is Gathered Subsistence Farming Still used today in third and fourth world nations. Used to grown only what the family needs. Intensive Farming Most commercial agriculture uses this method of farming to have high yield to meet food demands for first and second nations. Processed Foods The transformation of livestock and agricultural products into products for intermediate or final consumption. McDonaldization of Society Time, financial resources, price and availability factored most in influencing fast-food purchases. Family Income 21,2% 33,6% 13,3% 31,9% Figure 3. 2013-2016 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showing break up on Time of Day Fast food consumption rose with family income. Jumping 10% between low and high income. Most common fast food meal purchased was lunch. Gender Roles Is it Healthy? Men are 48.3% more likely to eat fast food for lunch than women 39.1%. Fast-food consumption has been associated with increased intake of calories, fat and sodium, 03. Food Crisis The Conflict Theory Of The Global Food Crisis. Global Classification of Nations First World Second World Third World Figure 4. 2017 Map of Nations Divided by First, Second and Third World. Canuckguy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Sociological Concepts Conflict Theory ● ● ● ● Dominant culture decides which food gets produced and where it gets distributed. Government controlled nutrition programs favor food manufacturers and producers that contribute the most to government. Research for nutrition is usually conducted by companies that manufacture or produce getting research leading to a conflict of interest. Social classes experience the dependency on food aid programs which can still leave gaps in access to fresh food. Sociological Concepts Structural-Function ● ● ● Role of agriculture industry within a nation's economy changes from sustainable to modern production as the nation develops. Mass consumerism influences food choices through media and advertising. Nutrition and health claims are becoming more broad and vague as food becomes more processed. 1940’s Rice Krispies ● Simple packaging ● Clear Ingredients ● No Health Claims ● No Nutrition Label 2020’s Rice Krispies ● Bright Colorful packaging ● Ingredients are complicated ● Health Claims for vitamins Figure 5. , Comparison of Cereal Boxes via Wikimedia Commons Sociological Concepts Symbolic Interaction ● ● ● Food is used to represent love and caring in micro-level interactions. Factions form over identity of how one eats. Food is also used as a religious and cultural symbol. Christianity Agatha Buns St Agatha's Breasts Islam Dates First Meal Prophet Muhammad Ate After Fast Taoism Dumplings Wealth Symbol Figure 6. , Comparison of Food as Religious Symbols via Wikimedia Commons Judaism Matzo Unleavened Bread 04. Food Is Life Do People Eat To Live Or Do They Live To Eat? Sociocultural Cues and Emotions Influence Food Choices Social Events Our brain associates certain social events with specific food choices. “Forbidden” foods and overeating are allowed during holidays or family gatherings. Cultural Preference Dominate American food culture strongly influences food choices even to immigrants and those in other countries. Figure 7. What school lunches look like around the world | Daily Mail Online Sociocultural Cues and Emotions Influence Food Choices Emotional Eating Most people learn their eating habits from their families. Emotional eating is food choices influenced by emotion whether positive or negative. A person might crave “comfort” food during a stressful time or reward themselves with food after completing a difficult task. Unhealthy Food as Gifts Food is commonly associated with gifts and love in different societies. Sending a box of cookies or basket of chocolates is an acceptable term of endearment in America. The Yolngu tribe gives cola to their younger members as a way to show love, which is frowned upon in other nations. Sociocultural Cues and Emotions Influence Food Choices Emotional Eating Most people learn their eating habits from their families. Emotional eating is food choices influenced by emotion whether positive or negative. A person might crave “comfort” food during a stressful time or reward themselves with food after completing a difficult task. Unhealthy Food as Gifts Food is commonly associated with gifts and love in different societies. Sending a box of cookies or basket of chocolates is an acceptable term of endearment in America. The Yolngu tribe gives cola to their younger members as a way to show love, which is frowned upon in other nations. References Edwards, G. C., Wattenberg, M. P., & Howell, W. G. (2021). Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy, 2020 Presidential Election Edition (18th ed.). Pearson. Evans, P., Gara, C., & Tate, R. (2018). The Magic Pill. Google Play. https://play.google.com/store/movies/details?id=uxqOIJWOWXk. Processed Foods and Health. The Nutrition Source. (2019, June 24). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/processed-foods/. Safety+Health Magazine. (2021, May 2). Nearly 37 percent of Americans regularly eat fast food, study shows. Safety+Health Magazine. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17784-nearly-37-percent-of-americans-regularly-eat-fast-food-study-shows. Thompson, J., & Manore, M. (2018). Food Equity, Sustainability, and Equality. In Nutrition: an applied approach (Fifth, pp. 461–485). essay, Pearson. Victor, A. (2015, February 18). What school lunches look like around the world. Daily Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article2957301/What-school-lunches-look-like-world.html. What is a Ketogenic Diet? Keto Diet Facts, Research, and Variations. Charlie Foundation. (2020, November 23). https://charliefoundation.org/diet-plans/. Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, April 21). List of foods with religious symbolism. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foods_with_religious_symbolism.
