Food as addictive substance

The mega-profitable junk/processed food industry has caused much of this preventable, chronic disease problem. That this in light of their super-scientific methods of assessing what is addictive or not is all the more distressing, since like the tobacco industry, knowing how to push the limits of creating and addictive but thoroughly legal substance is the objective of their research

The industry spends a tremendous amount of money on the dual approach of marketing and creating addictive substances out of corn and chemicals. Then, the public is seduced into using these products through a multi-level strategy  – advertising, addictiveness, availability) in allowing these products to be staples of their diets, I think the outrage might result in healthier choices. This approach to marketing began in the thirties, but in earnest after the war, therefore what we see in lower-income seniors is the result of a lifetime diet of Coca-Cola, white bread and chips.

But this does not mean that an older person is doomed. Changing the diet now, adding exercise and just generally understanding that making healthy choices in not only empowering, but also results in a better, longer life. I was recently reading about the enormous pile of money DaVita dialysis clinics make. Wouldn’t it be better for Medicare to put this money into education, and possibly subsidies for healthy food? I would definitely add an incentive component to the proposal in that respect. Healthy eating should be a major aspect of any care plan for seniors.

Also, just a thought, what if junk food was treated likes an addictive substance? Could a recovery approach be added in the healthy eating piece?