Eating Organic = Jerk?
This morning before heading out for my walk I saw a short blurp on the news about eating organic and how it can turn you into a jerk. Hmm…now that’s food for thought.
I came back and Googled, “Organic Food Turns You Into a Jerk” and sure enough there were dozens of commentaries on the findings by Kendall Eskine, of psychological sciences at Loyola University in New Orleans.
When you read the article, they clearly define why they used the title, ‘Jerk’. A line of research shows people can pat themselves on the back for their moral behavior, they can become self-righteous. They studied three groups of people and in their findings there was a judgmental attitude by those who ate organic. One of “moral licensing” which was defined as “People may feel like they’ve done their good deed,” he says. “That they have permission, or license, to act unethically later on.” And I guess…Jerk is a pretty good word for it.
Now c’mon, you must admit you’ve run into this at times…I sure have. I even read a post on Facebook earlier this Spring where a blogger was aghast that people bought cow’s milk and posted, “everyone at Safeway is walking out with a gallon of cow milk. I didn’t realize so many people were raising calves…” Seriously?!! So everyone should drink goats milk or raw milk? And most comments to hers were bashing people who drink cow’s milk. Good grief…easily defined “Jerks”. Eat how you choose and adjust your attitude…that’s my comment. And no, I don’t even drink milk.
And it’s not just organic eaters, it’s the opposite end of the spectrum as well. Who cares what others’ choices are when it comes to the food they choose to eat or have to eat? As you can imagine, there are many who don’t understand the need to eat gluten free, and it causes them to become “jerk’s” too. Not all, but there are many. I once had a male friend at a party mock me when I declined a piece of his wife’s birthday cake (which was an 8 layer fondant pre-gluten free day’s favorite of mine) and he said with every bite, “mmmm, gluten…watch me eat gluten”. Seriously. Luckily he’s a long-time friend and I saw it as ignorance. I had friends call me that evening apologizing for him…no need, but it was “jerky” just the same.
People…eat what you need to or choose to. Then keep your judgements to yourself and allow others to eat as they choose. It’s being in charge of our own bodies and hopefully making solid, healthy, beneficial choices. It’s sharing our knowledge with others in hopes that good choices are made…but ultimately, we each have a choice (and sometimes it’s not a choice).
In conclusion…on the subject of Jerks…
Next time you’re out shopping near the organic foods section, roll your cart next to someone and throw a package of Processed American Cheese Food in your cart just for kicks.
Now who’s the jerk?
(wink-wink)
