Reader comments
Our choices — not nutrition laws — lead to good health

I like Jay Evensen but this article is, in its posture, only "cute".

If, as Jay has found, 80% of people read the labels on food in supermarkets and a majority of them (56% apparently, since only 44% are unaffected in their decisions by what labels state) actually don't buy the items that are seen to be bad for them, then it certainly is making a big difference that the information is provided. To recap the vast majority of shoppers check the labels on food, and a majority of them are guided by those labels.

Many times I will not buy food that is not labelled, such as is sometimes the case with bakery goods. Frequently I have to ASK at restaurants what fried food is fried IN.

The labels on food are there for the benefit of discerning buyers and, thanks to Jay Evensen's research, I now know that many benefit from this labelling. The choice is still with individuals but I for one (seemingly one of a great many) benefit greatly from the information.

We need to tell the government to stay out of our personal lives. They are already taxing the smokers into bankruptsy. Next on the list will be people that are obese. Would you like to pay 50% tax on your food if you BMI is over a certain number? Don't think it can't happen.

DNews really needs to increase the quality of its editorials. This lame diatribe makes no coherent point. It's not governments fault that people don't read labels. Get off the mindless anti government rants.

Contrary to L.L., I think Evenson's piece was helpful. And like "as I read it," I think the more noteworthy information in the article is that most of the people reading the nutrition labels found them helpful and were guided to some extent by that information. That suggests that government mandated labeling has been extremely effective.

Why would obtaining more information about what we are putting into our bodies ever be a bad thing? There will always be the gap between our actions and what we know is best for us. But having accurate information is a critical component in narrowing that gap.

To say that laws aren't needed is folly, assuming one doesn't want to live the life of a hermit.

Take the laws about smoking indoors and on airplanes. Assuming one wants to go out to eat or fly on an airplane occasionally, there is no substitute for these laws. Not to mention the employees that work in resturants and fly on airplanes.

Take laws that seat belts must be included in cars. When they were passed by the federal government, the automakers were opposed and wouldn't have done it otherwise.

How about laws that mandate that harmful oils aren't used in food? Many resturants have voluntarily stopped using these oils, but not all. The localities that have such laws will be blessed with better health and longer life. If we value freedom in this country, ask yourself, how much freedom does having good health give you over being sickly?

Personally, I have cut back on my consumption of meat, I eat more fruits, vegetables and nuts. I use only olive oil at home. I'm not perfect I need to exercise more.

In short, it is conservative propaganda to say laws aren't needed.

I do read labels, I avoid mono-sodium-glumate and wouldn't be able to otherwise if the label wasn't there. I also enjoy seeing whats in the food.

I'm a customer. If I buy a car I can check the specs. I will know gad millage, horse power and safety features on any car I'm thinking of buying.

Posting nutritional information gives me knowledge to make better choices.

This editorial tries to confuse the issue. We live in the information age where access to information is power for the consumer.

Except we do NOT need the government to do it.

JUst encourage, as private citizens, or some private group, just encourage restuarants to do it.

we do not need more laws nor more government invovlment in out personal lives,

there are things we private cirtizens should be doing for our selves.

You give government an inch and they will sooner or later take a yard.

That is the nature the beast.

This editorial makes an excellent point. There was a time in this Country when the public knew that it must make its own wise choices, rather than rely on the government to dictate our lives. We must do as Evenson says and return to the values that made this Country great: moderation, prudence, and self-control.

If someone is really serious about losing weight or getting into shape, all they have to do is get a copy of the "Body for Life" book and follow it's program for 12 weeks. It's amazing how much a body can be transformed by doing the right types of exercise and eating healthy foods.

I've lost over 60 lbs by doing this program and have never been in as good as shape as now. I don't have to read labels, because I seldom purchase prepared food at restaurants or stores. All meals are prepared fresh using vegetables and low-fat proteins.

In order to succeed, you have to have the right mindset and the mental discipline to not buy unhealthy foods, or at least get right back on the program if setbacks do happen.