Appearance is a strange thing. In general, we condemn people for judging others based on their appearance; yet, a person's appearance is how we identity and partially analyse them. It can't be denied that our appearance plays a significant role in representing us.
However, appearance can also be deceptive. A person's clothing or body type may result in them being 'labeled' as someone they are not. This appearance could be constructed intentionally for this very purpose, or it could be a seemingly unfair result of genetics and/or environment. People could appear a certain way to deceive others, or in an attempt to conceal their true selves from fear of unfortunate bullying or other pressures.
Then again, cultural and religious differences between people may result in misunderstandings of certain appearances, which can lead to offense and dispute. Personally, I find it frustrating and suppressive that trends formed in fashion and appearance (eg. size 0, different shapes, different clothing seasons) seem to have an invisible force on people to comply. Individuals who maintain and express their individuality, even if this means going against the norm, are often considered weird and consequently marginalised. This might be in extreme cases, but it still occurs too often.
OK so this is a slight rant; I've had a frustrating day, and reading a couple of articles on childhood obesity trends increasing hasn't helped. Also, seeing the advertisement on TV for Herron vegetables, or whatever it is, bugs me. They're encouraging people to replace fresh fruits and vegetables with this product, by saying 'who has time?'. The simple truth is; everyone has 24 hours in each of their days. If people can't find a spare 5 minutes to boil a few vegetables, there is something very wrong.
This is a description:
Daily Vegetables
HERRON Daily Vegetables is made from 100 per cent whole food powdered juice and combines the nutritional benefits of 12 ingredients in one easy-to-swallow dose. It has an ORAC result equivalent to three to four servings of vegetables. Assists in the maintenance of general health and well-being and is free from artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, preservatives, animal products, dairy, yeast and added sugar.
Recommended dose: two capsules with a meal, once daily.
Cautions: Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet. Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.
* rrp: $22.99
"whole food powdered juice" firstly, people require all parts of the vegetable to get their daily intake. Secondly, it's capsule form; people are becoming too dependent on these supposed solutions to time and convenience issues. Thirdly 'with a meal'; you still have to prepare a meal?? What's the point in that; you don't have time to cook vegetables, but you have to take the replacement with a meal? Right..
OK, end rant.
Basically, health (mental and physical) needs to be more of a priority in today's local and international societies.
While I agree that it's stupid people can't simply take the time to make a healthy meal, I can't help but wonder about all those people who would otherwise not be getting the benifits these things provide. Sure they are no substitue to a healthy diet but its better than simply an unhealthy one.
ReplyDeleteWhile it isn't a step in the right direction its definetly not a step in the wrong one either.
The way it's marketed does seem foolish at first, but in reality it seems to be worded perfectly to market to those who wouldn't normally eat a healthy meal(lazy/don't care). In my experience those that do have a healthy diet don't look for the simple solution so they aren't the target market for this product anyway.
While this isn't a cure for the disease (the growing trend of unhealthy diets) It does seem to be treating some of the symptoms, So I don't really have a problem with it.
In hindsight, I agree; it isn't the best option but it does offer something for people with less capability or opportunity, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThen again, would those who wouldn't normally eat a healthy meal be interested in investing in a health product? Perhaps it is clever marketing to target that niche, but I still don't think it's the best idea.
I don't have a huge problem with the product, in general; I just feel that more money should be invested in perhaps encouraging the healthier diet instead of giving people an alternative, which it seems may be more expensive than a healthy, balanced meal anyway. I know the tablets come in bulk, but packets of veggies can last over a reasonable period, especially for one person.
So, really, it's not the advertising of this product I have such a problem with; it's the lack of promotion of wider health issues.
True, but the fact is Many people have tried to educate the wider public on healthy eating and each time it's never stuck.
ReplyDeleteFace it, as a society we are lazy and like things that taste a certain way. I think this could just as well be a diffrent appoach that appeals to our collective bad natures.
I think we are starting to revert back from some of our bad eating habbits. With the introduction of subway and healthier options in fast food resturaunts I think it's a sign of a slow, but growning trend towards a healthier diet.
If marketers were as persistent with healthy eating habits as they were with anti-smoking campaigns, surely it would have an effect. Really, advertising and what we are presented with to eat in general, has influenced what taste we like. So, it would be easy to change that. Given how much food has changed in recent times (as you say, with menus etc) I'm not gonna accept that society is too lazy to change. Advertisers just need to be persistent with their targeting.
ReplyDelete