"Words, Words, Words"

This line from Shakespeare's Hamlet is so important, when it comes to good health and eating well. Over the years, Americans have learned to play the semantics game, using words to suit our needs. If we can get past the semantics and move to the Truth, we can see life (and food) in a new way. So let's get started. . .

The Scene: A typical closet. You look in, for something to wear. You try it on and find out that, for some reason, what was once your favorite pair of jeans seems too tight. Your reaction: "My jeans don't fit!" And therein lies the falsehood. When you bought them, they fit. They've been washed according to label instructions and have remained in the closet. So why are they tight? NOT - repeat NOT - because THEY don't fit, but because YOU no longer fit into them. They haven't changed, you have. Am I just being picky? Yes, but that's what semantics is all about. The meaning of words, to suit a purpose. We are the last to take responsibility or accountability for our actions. . . when we can blame an inanimate object (or another person).

Now let's look at what food makers do, to play the semantics (I should say deception) game. The scene: Supermarket. You take a bottle of fruit juice off the shelf and read the label. It says, "100% juice, no sugar added." Now, you turn the label around, to look at the ingredients. Sure enough, they didn't add anything called "sugar." But they DID add cane juice (the "juice" from sugar cane) or grape juice concentrate. 100% Juice? Yes. . .technically. But cane juice and grape juice concentrate are added, to sweeten, not as other forms of juice. Now you glance at the nutrition label and are blown away, by the number across from "SUGARS." Semantics at its best!

Words have both meaning and power. Pay attention, to the things you think, when it comes to eating, food or health. Pay attention, to what advertisers tell you, about eating, food or health. Listen CAREFULLY. Those seemingly small statements about a piece of clothing not fitting or about no added sugar are ways of distorting the truth. And that's no way to eat well or live well.

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