When I attended elementary school, we were taught that wealthy ancient Romans tickled their throats with a feather to induce vomiting after dinner. Although that ritual probably put a damper on any postprandial romance (unless mouthwash was provided with the food), it allowed them to participate in their greatest delight: eating more food. Whether that custom is mythical or not, it recalls similar modern practices of many Americans today.
Sometimes I ask insulin-dependent diabetics a simple but revealing question. If you could stop eating all but a few basic green vegetables for a month and in doing so cure yourself of diabetes, would you do so? Unfortunately, the answer is always a resounding “no”. They explained to me that they are not willing to refuse to eat. Instead of controlling their diet, they prefer to inject additional insulin when needed.
I was once with a friend late at night and we stopped for a bite to eat after a movie. He suffered from heartburn and acid reflux, and wondered aloud if it was too late to take a prescription pill for his condition. He pondered his options for a moment, and then confidently popped the pill into his mouth. He then proceeded to order cheese fries, a bacon cheeseburger, and some onion rings, despite the late hour. Surprised by his decision, I asked him why he didn’t just avoid those foods and order something lighter and easier to digest. He looked at me in disbelief and then explained that that was the purpose of the pills. I suggested that she give up another tub of greasy, buttery popcorn on the next movie night. It could save you a pill.
Fried foods, trans fats, sugary desserts, and salty snacks – why avoid them when a simple pill will counteract their ill effects? People I know would rather take medicine for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. In fact, we can alleviate most of these health conditions, and even physical pain, insomnia, and arthritis, by altering our dietary intake. However, few people will deny themselves the foods they enjoy.
When it comes to losing weight, almost everyone tries over-the-counter diet pills before sacrificing that extra helping of greasy fries or a sweet and tempting dessert. When those pills fail, many turn to prescription drugs to lose weight. Also, as I pointed out in my article, “The Truth About Weight Loss,” many people prefer to endure grueling exercise regimens that they fear and hate, rather than deny themselves the foods that whisper their sweet names when they pass through the refrigerator. . By the way, my refrigerator has an attractive feminine British accent. Although I have not received his name yet. The decision to exercise and ignore the diet is often a lost proposition, because it is difficult to lose weight on a treadmill with a milk shake in one hand and a chicken wrap in the other.
For people who are extremely overweight, some prefer to undergo operations such as gastric banding, liposuction, gastric bypass, or stomach stapling rather than altering their diet. Whatever the ailment, Americans prefer to take pills, exercise their heaving tummy, or have surgery, despite the fact that all operations carry some risk and almost all medications have side effects.
Centuries ago, Hippocrates said, “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” Therefore, we have long known the association between a healthy diet and good health. But it has been purposely forgotten or ignored in modern society.
Historians still debate whether the Roman nobility actually used feathers to induce vomiting. After all, vomiting is not a pleasant experience. And I imagine the appetite will be suppressed a bit afterwards, especially if your seat is closer to the vomitorium.
Today, too many Americans are willing to endure almost any level of suffering to lose their excess weight, except by sacrificing the foods they love. It may not be as haunting as tickling the back of your throat with a feather, but the result is eerily similar.
