Is it still possible to maintain a healthy diet in a century marked by speed and processed foods?

The question goes beyond what’s on the plate: how can we preserve healthy eating habits in a society dominated by plastic and industrial consumption?

But first of all, what does it really mean to have a healthy diet? And, even more so, what does it actually mean to be healthy?

These and other concepts will be explored in today’s article. So, take a look at what we have in store for you:

• The Green Revolution: an important milestone in the history of food production.
• Two sides of the same coin
• Alternatives in possible futures
• The society of the processed: a fight with two losers
• The Processing and Cultural Distortion of Eating
• The Social and Economic Impact of Processing

Stay tuned to the end and discover how to navigate this scenario and make more conscious choices for your health and well-being.

The Green Revolution: an important milestone in the history of food production.

Ensuring global food supply, eliminating hunger rates and promoting food security were the main purposes of the Green Revolution, a movement that transformed agricultural production.

With the advancement of globalization, this movement was consolidated through technologies that enhanced production capacity, further expanding the reach and efficiency of this agricultural model.

It was in the late 1940s that the Green Revolution emerged as a response to the growing fear of food shortages in the post-World War II era. The high demand for food, coupled with the inefficiency of traditional methods, were the driving forces behind this radical change.

Names like Norman Borlaug led narratives that focused on the development of high-productivity seeds such as wheat, corn and rice and the introduction of new cultivation techniques, such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

The objective was ambitious: to increase global agricultural production, eradicate hunger and reduce food insecurity that plagued many regions of the planet.

Developing countries, especially India and Mexico, were protagonists of this experiment, reaping impressive results in increasing grain production.

Two sides of the same coin

But why is this event important to understand the difficulties of maintaining a healthy diet in a processed society?

The Green Revolution was a response to the need to increase food production, but it brought challenges that still impact our diets today. The promise of ending hunger and ensuring food security came at a high cost.

The intensification of the use of pesticides and fertilizers, in addition to land concentration, has undermined access to quality food and increased the population’s dependence on processed products.

With large corporations dominating the agricultural landscape and technologies focused on productivity, small farmers have been marginalized. This has opened the way for a model that prioritizes quantity over quality, facilitating the proliferation of highly industrialized and less nutritious products.

Furthermore, large-scale animal farming, especially with corn and soy, has intensified the use of GMOs and pesticides, harming both the environment and human health.

These factors have increased the consumption of foods with lower nutritional value and greater environmental impacts.

Alternatives in possible futures

On the other hand, initiatives such as agroecology and family farming appear as viable alternatives, promoting more sustainable production and healthier consumption.

Family farming, responsible for a significant part of our basic diet, already points the way towards a transition that prioritizes food quality and environmental preservation.

Now the question is: how to balance the needs of production and sustainability?

The society of the processed: a fight with two losers

Our society is currently marked by interconnectivity, artificial intelligence and the search for efficiency in all sectors.

It couldn’t be any different with food, after all, our eating routine is nothing more than a reflection of our personal and professional routine. This immediately leads us to the appeal of convenience and speed, which governs our lifestyle and directly reflects all of our food choices.

It was at this time that fast, packaged, ready-to-eat meals became essential for many. However, these largely processed foods come with a hidden price: the loss of nutritional quality.

The Food Guide for the Brazilian Population points out that ultra-processed products are rich in saturated fats, sugars and sodium, while lacking important nutrients such as fiber and proteins.

The ease of access and low cost make these products the preferred choice for many, but the long-term impact on public health is alarming. The increase in diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension is directly linked to the excessive consumption of processed foods.

The Processing and Cultural Distortion of Eating

Another critical point is the cultural distancing caused by excessive processing. Ultra-processed foods often lose their “identity”, making it difficult to perceive their origins and transforming food from a cultural and social act into a purely functional experience.

Eating is no longer an experience linked to tradition and is now driven by convenience and marketing.

The Social and Economic Impact of Processing

This scenario not only affects health, but also the local economy and sustainability. Large corporations monopolize food processing, while small farmers are marginalized.

This limits agricultural biodiversity, favoring monocultures such as corn and soy, used to feed animals in intensive farming systems, which, in turn, negatively impact the environment.

Data and experiments

Dr. Chris van Tulleken, a physician and BBC presenter, has revealed how overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is directly linked to serious health problems, such as obesity and chronic diseases. According to research conducted by Tulleken, these foods are not only poor in nutrients, but also addictive, leading people to consume more calories without realizing it.

Tulleken also highlights how the food industry has exploited regulatory loopholes to promote these products as convenient and healthy. He argues for the urgent need to change global eating habits and reassess the impacts of these foods on public health.

To reach these conclusions, Tulleken conducted an experiment in which he himself began to eat predominantly ultra-processed foods for a month.

During this period, he noticed a significant increase in his hunger levels, mood swings and even changes in his body composition. The results demonstrated the direct impact of these foods on health, corroborating his criticism of the industry.

In conclusion

In the context of Society 4.0, where technology and innovation intertwine with human needs, fairs such as Bio Brazil and Naturaltech emerge as vital solutions to the challenge of eating healthily.

These events not only bring together a wide range of exhibitors promoting natural and sustainable products, but also provide a space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences.

They represent a meeting point between conscious consumers and companies that value health and well-being, contributing to the construction of a more balanced and nutritious food future.

Therefore, by attending these fairs, we are not only making healthy choices, but also integrating ourselves into a transformation network that values ​​quality of life in our society.