“What should I eat?” The question is no longer just one we direct at our pantries. There is so much confusion about the health impacts of food, many of us have no idea what we should be putting into our bodies.
That was one of the major takeaways we got from last week’s “What Should I Eat” event run by Business Chicks.
The panel of health experts and personalities including Damon Gameau, David Gillespie, Jessica Sepel, Joe Wicks, Lola Berry and Luke Hines aimed to demystify and dismantle the idea of a “perfect diet”. Here are the main messages from the debate.
1. Just Eat Real Food.
Whether the panellists were Paleo, sugar-free or macro-obsessed, they all agreed on one thing. When you eat real food (unpackaged, unprocessed stuff) and get back in the kitchen, your health will improve. This philosophy (we call it JERF) was the undercurrent on the whole talk and reassured everyone that healthy living doesn’t have to be hard.
2. Diets don’t work.
From diet foods that are full of sugar, to fad diets that push unhealthy and unrealistic beauty standards, the food industry is hellbent on making us addicted to crap (and then guilty for our addictions). Nutritionist Jessica Sepel drove the point home with her own story of fad dieting, and how much better she feels now that she’s ditched it.
3. 80 cents of every dollar in Australia goes to Coles and Woolworths.
That’s a lot of power to give two companies (thanks to Damon Gameau for the stat). The panellists emphasised the importance of buying loca, both to support the little guys and the environment. And, as Lola Berry said, most of the food at farmers markets is naturally organic, too.
4. “You can’t get oil from vegetables!”
Said David Gillespie, who was there on a one-man mission to get everyone to stop using vegetable oils. Indeed, he’s right. “Vegetable” oils are actually made from seeds and are highly processed, refined, bleached and deodorised. They’ve also been linked inflammatory diseases, due to their high omega-6 content.
5. George Orwell predicted the future.
In more ways than one, really, but what David Gillespie was referring to was this: “We may find in the long run that tinned food is a deadlier weapon than the machine-gun.” With almost two-thirds of Australian adults overweight or obese, we have to agree that processed foods pose a direct threat to our country.
6. Find time for your health.
“How many times do you watch The Bachelorette each week?” personal trainer Luke Hines challenged the audience. To make our health a top priority, we need to dedicate more time to prepping healthy meals, eating proper food instead of takeaway and doing some gentle exercise. The Bachelorette can wait, right?
7. Prep like a boss.
Fitness coach Joe Wicks created this catchphrase, which we absolutely agree with. While it might take up some of your Sunday afternoon, preparing your meals beforehand will help you manage your routine better and keep to your health goals.
8. “The higher the Health Star Rating, the more corrupt the food company.”
Another great quote from David Gillespie, who says the Health Star Rating is a great way of choosing what not to buy. To be fair, what system gives plain full-fat milk two stars and UP&GO (which has up to nine teaspoons of sugar) 4.5 stars? As CHOICE Consumer Group awards Milo a Shonky for exploiting the Health Star Rating, it looks like David is already being vindicated.
9. Healthy meals are pretty darn simple.
The panel were asked their favourite go-to quick and easy meal. You don’t need their cookbooks to know how to make these!
- Luke Hines: “Frittata with anything.”
- David Gillespie: “Halloumi.” (We assume with vegetables, David?)
- Joe Wicks: “Coconut curry.”
- Lola Berry: “Smashed avocado.”
10. Clean eating is out of hand.
The panellists expressed some concern at the clean eating craze, which can lead to an unhealthy and unnecessary avoidance of food. While it’s great to be informed about your food choices, nothing good ever comes from completely obsessing about what you eat.
In fact, the panelists agreed it’s okay to have a treat sometimes (and admitted they have their indulgences). At the end of the day, it’s part of having a healthy, balanced relationship with our bodies.
Which piece of advice resonates with you the most?
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