Integrity Matters
June 9, 2004
Healthy eating habits up to individual
Question: (E-122)
Dear Jim:
Have you seen the movie "Supersize Me?" Don't
big food companies have responsibilities not to sell
items that are bad for people?
Response:
My wife and I recently saw Morgan Spurlock's movie, "Supersize
Me." Spurlock, a filmmaker who documents his own
mission to eat nothing but McDonald's meals for 30 straight
days, is what our society has either accepted or embraced
eating habits that all too frequently lead to obesity
and illness. Being a guilty party in this race for convenience
and speed, "Supersize Me" challenged me to
demonstrate greater responsibility in for my own health
-- for how I maintain a legitimate partnership with my
own physical being. Since I about to turn 59, the message
is for me to get serious and take better care of the
body that supports me. I need to eat right and exercise
intelligently.
You asked about integrity issues. Who is to blame here:
Me, the corporation, other customers, television? Let
me start where I live, in me. Integrity can be uncomfortable,
especially when one knows that he or she needs to make
some personal adjustments to fulfill any one (or all)
of the Bracher Center's "Eight Attributes" of
integrity. After seeing the movie, I was confronted by
my own violation of attribute No. 5: partnership. I haven't
honored my own obligations to my physical body. I haven't
eaten healthy foods nearly often enough. Even though
my skeleton, muscles and organs continue to function
well, I am not treating my body as a partner. To make
matters even worse, if asked about eating an appropriate
diet and regularly following an intelligent exercise
program, my answer would simply be a resounding "no."
Shame on me.
The time has come for me to face up to a difficult
issue: maintaining a more intelligent and healthy diet.
After all, why wouldn't a reasonably bright person choose
vegetables and salads over pie and ice cream, especially
when so much medical information confirms the harm that
comes from too much fat in one's diet? For years, those
close to me have encouraged me to eat healthier and avoid
the foods and liquids that can cause harm to the body.
Ten-plus years ago I gave up drinking because my pancreas
(and my surgeon) told me in no uncertain terms to cease
alcohol consumption. I did what I was told, but kept
a special place for desserts and candies, popcorn and
couch-potato munchies for relaxing time in front of the
television.
Free enterprise allows individuals and businesses to create
and market what they want to sell. Burgers are just one
more example of freedom of choice. So let's assume some
personal responsibility for the choices we make and the
choices our children make. As for me, I got the message
and intend to be a better partner with myself. How about
you?
