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I am not the healthiest eater. I do not make all my family’s meals from scratch. I sometimes buy candy. My children have eaten at McDonald’s in the past. I currently have no less than three different kinds of sweeteners in my home.
I say all that for this reason: I am far from perfect when it comes to food.
When I was asked to participate in an early screening of the new film FED UP, I was a bit skeptical. Was this going to be another movie dedicated to making parents feel bad for giving their kids a treat? Would it be a rehash of the “only eat organic or you hate your family” theme? I decided to find out.
As I watched the documentary I was amazed at what I learned. It wasn’t about what we are doing wrong. It was about how parents everywhere are trying to do the best they can, but failing because so many things we’ve been told, and base our decisions on, are a lie.
About the Film
FED UP – The film the food industry doesn’t want you to see. In theaters May 9.
For the past 30 years, everything we thought we knew about food and exercise is dead wrong. FED UP is the film the food industry doesn’t want you to see. From Katie Couric, Laurie David (Oscar winning producer of AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH) and director Stephanie Soechtig, FED UP will change the way you eat forever.
Sugar. We see that word everywhere we turn now. Sugar is bad. Sugar isn’t bad. Some sugar is okay. Sugar is better than corn syrup. So many different sides. So which one is true? The answer is: we’re looking at the wrong facts. FedUp explores beyond good vs bad and exposes how the food industry has been training consumers for the past 30 years to not realize WHERE the sugar is. We’ve been told to avoid candy, soda and things that are obviously sugar laden. Meanwhile, every major investor in the food industry has been playing slight of hand to hide the fact that added sugar is everywhere – even in things sold as ‘healthy alternatives’.
But, hiding sugar isn’t the only tactic. As early as 1977, lobbyists have fought to misdirect our attention. Their goal? Phase out prevention – sell maintenance. “What you eat isn’t important – it’s what YOU do after you eat it” People are obese because they don’t move, don’t try. EXERCISE CURES EVERYTHING. The effectiveness of that message was apparent. From 1980 through 2000, gym memberships doubled in the United States. The problem? During that same period obesity doubled as well. A decade later, 2/3 of Americans were overweight. The food industry wins because people continue to buy their products because we’re told exercise will burn off anything. Health insurance companies win because soon after the need for medical care due to weight related issues skyrocketed. Maybe that’s why the very companies who’s job it is to repair the damage are actually financial investors for companies like Coca Cola.
Did you read that last line twice? Maybe doubt the truth of it? FED UP goes into great detail to explain, in a way that is easy to understand, how every major organization you thought you could trust are actually hiding their own agendas. The USDA, Medical Association, Child Nutrition agencies, advertising companies, public schools and more all want a piece of one of the most profitable industries in our country: processed food.
Everywhere you turn there are tactics to keep you buying. Fat Free, Lite, Low Fat, No Preservatives, All Natural and all the other buzz words that companies use to create a smoke screen about just how much sugar they’ve added to make up for what they did remove. Have you ever noticed the nutrition labels on the back of food? I’m sure most of us check for things like sodium and fat. But, have you ever noticed that even though the grams of sugar are listed – there is never a percentage of daily intake provided? That’s because you’d realize that many ‘healthy’ options are just as likely to push you over the daily recommended allowance.
I also learned that the concept of ‘real sugar vs corn syrup’ – when it comes to weight gain – is a myth. Yet another thing I was shocked by after watching FED UP.
I wish I could tell you everything I saw and learned. I’d fill pages with amazing ‘light bulb’ moments. But me telling you isn’t the same as you watching for yourself and coming to your own conclusions.
Even if you have no plans to change your diet. Even if you already do your best to provide a healthy balance of foods. Even if you think you know a lot about the tricks of food advertising – Watch this movie. What have you got to lose?
FED UP Online – In Theaters May 9th – Visit the official website // Like Fed Up on Facebook // Follow @FedupMovie on Twitter and Instagram #FedUpMovie
Tell everyone about #FedUpMovie
ENTER TO WIN
Providing healthy foods can be expensive. I know. We try our best, but it’s so hard to resist food that is faster, easier and cheaper. That’s why I’m excited to offer a great giveaway:
A $100 Whole Foods gift card to help you stock your fridge with good food.
One (1) RJC reader will win a $100 Whole Foods gift card. Giveaway ends Saturday, May 24th. Open to residents of the US, 18 years or older at time of entry. Prizing provided by FED UP. RJC giveaway terms and conditions
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