'Bad eaters' to blame for obesity, not 'bad foods', says TV host
7/10/2006- There are no obesity-causing bad foods, only bad eaters, according to the celebrated host of the Food Network's "Good Eats" and “Iron Chef America” Alton Brown.
The popular television personality addressed food and beverage manufacturers and food scientists at the recent IFT in Orlando, where he opened the show as Keynote speaker.
“Unhealthy food is the food designed to keep you away from good food,” said Brown, providing the example of a bag of 75 cookies that keep consumers from enjoying two better cookies made with butter.
“Food doesn’t get up and jump down our throats,” he said.
Brown stressed the importance of communicating with consumers, claiming that food science is no longer just a scientific or academic achievement.
“You have to understand that [IFT’s] place in the earthly matrix is changing. Your influence on food from a business or academic standpoint is no longer what your mission should be. Food is related to just about every single challenge people have living on this planet,” he said.
“The challenge for the entire science community is that the doors are all open. The [food science] community is no longer cloistered. You can no longer hide behind politicians and academic structures. If you are going to do your job you are going to have to learn how to communicate outside your field,” he added.
Known for his combination of science, history and culture in his presentations and publications on food processes, tools and recipes, Brown used his popular style to entertain the IFT’s attendees and exhibitors.
Brown cautioned against an over-reliance on facts and information-overload and the use of high-tech props.
“I care about the big picture. While facts may be the ‘proof of evidence’, they don’t point to what we’re doing,” he said. And what Americans are doing today is overeating.
Obesity caused by bad food choices