Everyone will be familiar with the name Kellogg, who extolled the virtues of carbohydrates and breakfast cereal with the invention of the humble corn flake. Even just making a corn flake is quite a feat of food processing that leaves a piece of corn far removed from how nature intended it. The corn kernels are cooked to the point of going stale, and then forced through rollers to produce flakes, which are then toasted and ready to eat. Consider that this process renders the corn flakes devoid of nutrition so the manufacturers have to add back to the mix a host of B vitamins and other nutrients. You may read on a food label “fortified with vitamins and minerals” as if this is something to be applauded.
I believe Mr Kellogg would be shocked today if he saw his name associated with the plethora of junk foods that are breakfast cereals today. I’m sure this devout Adventist who promoted the cleanest and healthiest way of living would be horrified seeing sugar coated chocolate grains being the staple of many people’s breakfast. Research today shows us that even a 30g bowl of cereal may contain up to 11g of sugar. Consider that most breakfast cereals are also high on the GL scale, which means they will cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels – surely they cannot be marketed as health foods.
Well they are, see how the manufacturers of Special K brand it as a weight loss food, see how Nestle promote the benefits of whole grain cereals or that Shredded Wheat is good for the heart. This is marketing at its very worse, and what is even more alarming is that people believe it – why wouldn’t they when they see a beautiful slim women being associated with Special K, or an ex-sporting legend promoting Shredded Wheat.
However, consider what Jonny Bowden calls a human’s “factory specified food”, it certainly isn’t highly processed grains loaded with sugar and salt. I believe these junk foods are contributing (not the sole cause) to our epidemic of obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance and other chronic disease. What’s the answer? What is our “factory specified food”? Find out tomorrow.
