Alison wrote:

<<I just think that a lot of people (probably most people) just aren't
interested in food and the link to health. They hear the stuff about low
fat, high carb and they want simple rules that allow them to eat food
without paying attention to what it's doing to them. I think that a lot of
people want a magic pill that will fix any health problems. And (more
worryingly) I think a lot of people trust what the TV and doctors tell them
without too much questioning.>>

  Hi Alison,

  I think it goes beyond people not being interested in the link of food to
health - they just don't believe it.  Current medical paradigm does little
to support the nutrition link.  I recently read the abstract to a clinical
study that has a statement that there "appeared" that there "may" be a
connection between diet and "some" diseases.

  Yes, I think people are confused; they hear too many conflicting things.
And yes, most people want the magic pill.  After all, this is what modern
medicine promises, isn't it?

  I think people should be able to trust what they are told by their doctor.
Not everyone's path is to be their own doctor.  It is the doctors that are
remiss here, not necessarily the people.  Most physicians don't study
nutrition any more than most of their patients.  Given a clearer  picture of
good nutrition with less conflicting info, people would eat better.

  It must be admitted that it is quite a maze to go through to get to the
point of beginning to understand proper nutrition.  Some people are not
intellectually capable of making it through the maze.

  There is some cognitive dissonance experienced when one's government is
touting health and is allowing the foods it allows on the grocery shelves.
I think this confuses people also.

  Those who are driven to find the way, will.  These people will then plant
seeds in others.  Some seeds may germinate, others may not.  Perhaps for
those of us who get frustrated by this, patience and tolerance are the
lessons to be learned.  For those who think they can fuel the body with
laboratory-made pseudo-foods, the lesson to be learned may be about personal
responsibility and empowerment.  But overall, I still hold health care
"professionals" responsible for giving correct information because they
present themselves as knowing.  This confers upon them the responsibility of
knowing.

Siobhan