Great article! What’s so striking to me about the excerpt from Malmberg’s book is how much it seems like it could have been written today.
I feel like there’s also so much stigma around food itself. There’s this idea that eating French fries or a brownie needs to be apologized for or excused. Like if it’s not a meal that you would find on the Instagram of a raw vegan blogger who does plant-based keto and goes and forages all food themselves, it’s “bad” and you have to a acknowledge that you’re “giving in” and eating it “just this once” and then mention the 10 miles you ran that morning. Just eat the brownie! Definitely easier said than done, though, because diet culture dies hard.
I really enjoyed your “rant” so much! The historical references really ground our obsession in useful background and give us all something to chew on--non-caloric to boot! I’ve been obsessed with my weight since arriving in the world as a little plump baby eons ago. I’ve spent my entire life trying to measure up to an ideal of thinness I have never--and will never--achieve. So thanks for your post. I think you have just inspired me to write one or two of my own on this ever timely subject. If I do, I will reference your excellent piece, of course! I love the title, by the way. Seems timeless, like the topic.😊
The Economist did an article about the fallacy of counting calories in 2019 (sadly paywalled, but available here: https://www.economist.com/1843/2019/02/28/death-of-the-calorie), and also a summary video, which is quite good. But here is yet more evidence that flawed Progressive Era ideas about nutrition continue to influence our modern lives: https://youtu.be/avcQy2_yEkk
Great article! What’s so striking to me about the excerpt from Malmberg’s book is how much it seems like it could have been written today.
I feel like there’s also so much stigma around food itself. There’s this idea that eating French fries or a brownie needs to be apologized for or excused. Like if it’s not a meal that you would find on the Instagram of a raw vegan blogger who does plant-based keto and goes and forages all food themselves, it’s “bad” and you have to a acknowledge that you’re “giving in” and eating it “just this once” and then mention the 10 miles you ran that morning. Just eat the brownie! Definitely easier said than done, though, because diet culture dies hard.
I really enjoyed your “rant” so much! The historical references really ground our obsession in useful background and give us all something to chew on--non-caloric to boot! I’ve been obsessed with my weight since arriving in the world as a little plump baby eons ago. I’ve spent my entire life trying to measure up to an ideal of thinness I have never--and will never--achieve. So thanks for your post. I think you have just inspired me to write one or two of my own on this ever timely subject. If I do, I will reference your excellent piece, of course! I love the title, by the way. Seems timeless, like the topic.😊
Loved this, so relevant!
Interesting article! Thank you Sarah. I enjoy your newsletter so very much.😊
The Economist did an article about the fallacy of counting calories in 2019 (sadly paywalled, but available here: https://www.economist.com/1843/2019/02/28/death-of-the-calorie), and also a summary video, which is quite good. But here is yet more evidence that flawed Progressive Era ideas about nutrition continue to influence our modern lives: https://youtu.be/avcQy2_yEkk
Fantastic article, Sarah! (And thanks for the links) Loved the discussion of the potato. So much ‘food for thought (pun intended) I’ll be re-reading!