So, here's the danger of reading science stuff, sometimes it makes you do stuff that is good for you. Not always, often, it is BS but this time...it makes sense.
I read and listened to the book UltraProcessed People by Chris Van Tulleken several times and will do that a few more times.
I'd already read/listened to various other books and articles on how the ultraprocessed food messed with our bodies, brains, moods, economies, human rights, farming, soil, weather and on and on.
This one though, it brings it all together and the dude has a nice british accent of some sort so it's an easy listen.
Turns out, frankenfood is bad for you! I mean, I KNEW that but I didn't get scared straight. I'm getting there now.
For years I've been working on the diet. Decades. And the exercise.
NOW though...I have the means, the time, the motivation and group of friends and colleagues who also are a bit into it in their own ways. Is that what you extraverts call a support system?
So, last year I avoided cheap grocery store sugary foods. That made a major change in the diet and budget. Good for both as it turns out. If I really really wanted a treat, I didn't buy Reese's (this will be a complete shock to those who know me...I haven't had an industrial candy bar, even an expensive "good" one in over a year), instead, I either made it or went to a business, all turned out to be local, where someone actually MADE the thing. Like Moscow Candy in Moscow, Idaho where I got a really good peanut butter cup for 1$ or a "Bruttle" (what Butterfingers WISH they were) that is made in Spokane for 1.50$. They are smaller than the industrial versions, cost about the same or less and are astoundingly BETTER. Also, there are some road blocks to getting them. I'm not in Moscow most days.
Occasionally, I would get a locally made cinnamon roll or piece of pie or cookie. And occasionally I would make them.
This year, cutting back UPF, ultraprocessed food, as defined by the NOVA system. None of it is good and it turns out all of it wrecks my health.
FORTUNATELY I have the means in money and location and skills now to do that. I have enough $$ to buy eggs and live close enough to people who raise chickens that go outside. I know people who hunt (and hope to be one of them this year) and trade them informally for game meat. I know how to butcher chickens and other small things and can them. I live with enough outdoor space to have a garden and near lots of people who garden. I have enough money to buy produce from local farmers.
While it costs more upfront for the food, by avoiding the fast food and convenience foods, my total food spend for 2023 went up very little. Pretty much on par with inflation.
Recently people at work got into similar things and I talked one into reading the above mentioned book. Now he and I share labor on processing (not ULTRAprocessing...very different) meat and fish. For the holidays I gave home made mustard, ketchup, and vanilla extract. In return I got deer and elk meat, and some smoked salmon. We are all happy with that.
Now...to buy a 2024 hunting and fishing permit. The hope is to ACTUALLY use it this year. Especially for fishing because that's easy and doesn't have to result in 100lbs of meat like killing big game.
