Not a day passes without a new health alert that sounds like a modern-day commandment: “Thou shall not eat this” or “Thou shall steer clear of that.” The moment I drag myself out of bed, my first thought is not of sunshine, but of the impending doom regarding my diet.
And, today was no different! A quick glance at a short news app informs the readers of the latest culprit — our beloved samosas, chips, pickles, and other high-fat, processed snacks. A study by ICMR-MDRF (of course, who else?) declared these delectable delights to be agents of destruction, wreaking havoc on our insulin levels and overall health. AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) are apparently the devil incarnate, and the very food that provides joy in a joyless world is a direct ticket to Type 2 diabetes.
We were led to believe’Age is just a number! Now AGE is an enemy produced by your favourite snack.
Just a few decades ago, when shopping for groceries didn’t feel like preparing for a biology exam. Back then, you walked to the store, grabbed a loaf of bread, and were on your way. No one cared to scrutinise the fine print on the back of the packaging or decipher whether it was high in fiber or low in fat. Nutritional labels? They didn’t exist in the wild. Ignorance was indeed bliss.
Today, however, buying a simple loaf of bread demands more deliberation than a corporate merger. White bread? Definitely out of the question. Brown bread? Oh, don’t be fooled! Turns out it’s just white bread in a caramelized disguise, pretending to be healthy. And multigrain? Sure, if you enjoy pretending you’re a bird pecking at seeds.
After a painful decision-making process, you settle on whole wheat bread — because, really, what else is left? But wait, the dilemma isn’t over. Should you get the one with ‘extra fibre’? Or the one ‘low in sugar’? How about the one that’s ‘cholesterol-free’? At this rate, choosing a loaf of bread feels like applying for life insurance.
Oh, how sweet treats have changed as well! Back in the day, a treat was a simple, sugary joy: groundnut chikki, vibrantly coloured candies, or a toffee that cost next to nothing. A few paise bought happiness, and diabetes wasn’t lurking behind every corner.
But now? The landscape is terrifying. I can’t even indulge my granddaughter with a piece of chocolate without fearing for her well-being. I recently read that even premium Belgian chocolate — yes, the expensive kind that makes you feel sophisticated — contains a delightful mix of rat and cockroach droppings. Relax, it’s within ‘permissible limits,’ they say. So that’s comforting.
Then there’s the issue of brightly coloured sweets. My granddaughter, a Gem, like any child, is drawn to them like a bee to a flower. And while I’m all for giving her a treat here and there, my son — ever the vigilant parent — has strictly warned me against these colourful temptations. Turns out, the very hues that make these sweets irresistible are derived from chemicals you wouldn’t want within a mile of your child. Of course, they’ve been banned in many countries. But in India? They remain on our shelves, brightly beaming, as if daring us to care.
Navigating the modern food landscape feels like dodging landmines of misinformation, bad choices, and mounting guilt. Everything we once loved — whether it’s a samosa, a lollipop, or a loaf of bread — has been villainised in the name of health. What’s left for us to eat that doesn’t come with a side order of fear?
It’s almost tempting to give up on food altogether. But hey, before you do that, make sure to check with the experts first — you know, just in case fasting is the next big health risk!