Introduction
Neoliberal principles in today’s society have produced a moral imperative to eat ethically as a representation of good citizenship, ethics, and morality concerning the sensuous pleasure of eating. This has caused a hierarchy of healthism over nutritionism to emerge. The focus will be on analyzing how neoliberalism has changed the American diet, how it has affected different socioeconomic classes, and how to promote healthy eating, considering the unequal distribution of resources.
Nutritionism and the Changing Perception of Food
In “From Microscopes to “Macroscopes,” Charlotte Biltekoff makes the case that the emphasis on nutritionism in contemporary society has changed how people regard food. The scientific theory of nutritionism holds that food is merely the sum of its nutrients. This method has given rise to the notion that some foods are healthy while others are not. Contrarily, conventional perspectives on food regarded it as a necessary component of human existence that encompassed cultural and societal practices.
Neoliberalism and the Moralization of Healthy Eating
Biltekoff contends that neoliberalism, an economic philosophy that strongly emphasizes individual responsibility and the strength of the market, is the cause of modern society’s shift toward nutritionism (Biltekoff, From Microscopes to ‘Microscopes’ 99). She also makes the case that neoliberalism promotes people to invest in their health and happiness, resulting in the moral need to eat healthfully.
Similarly, Biltekoff’s “The Cultural Politics of Dietary Health” explores how the values of neoliberalism have engendered a need to consume healthful food. She contends that eating healthily is seen as a show of morality and good citizenship in today’s society. The idea of moral value, which holds that healthy people are better than those who are unwell, is linked to the discourse on healthy eating. This discourse establishes a hierarchy of importance between nutritionism and healthism (Biltekoff, The Cultural Politics of Dietary Health 2). This hierarchy implies that some meals are healthy while others are unhealthy, resulting in a wealthy class that can afford to eat well.
The Role of the Food Industry in Promoting Unhealthy Choices
The food industry in America employs advertising to promote unhealthy meals, specifically targeting youngsters and families with poor incomes. The industry promotes unhealthy behavior and increased food consumption (Nestle 2). According to Nestle, the food industry aims to turn a profit; hence they want to sell more food. The values of neoliberalism have produced a food industry that places profits before public health.
Socioeconomic Inequality and Access to Healthy Food
While the moral imperative to eat healthily has been established by the ideas of neoliberalism, it is not shared evenly by all social classes. It might be challenging for people from impoverished circumstances to fulfill the moral imperative to eat healthily since they frequently have limited access to good food. Authors Michael Pollan and Alice Waters advocate for a healthy diet but fail to consider the various socioeconomic groups that cannot afford to eat well. The messages of Waters and Pollan are inaccessible to people of color, members of the middle class, or those who cannot afford good food since they are privileged white characters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, neoliberalism has tremendously impacted American eating habits, creating a moral obligation to eat healthily connected to personal accountability, morality, and good citizenship. The rise of healthism above nutritionism due to this discourse has helped create a hierarchy of healthy eating practices. Neoliberal ideas have highlighted the significance of investing in health and happiness. Still, this emphasis has also led to an uneven distribution of access to healthy meals, particularly for people living in low-income regions.
Additionally, the food industry has promoted unhealthy eating behaviors through advertising because it believes profit comes before public health. Instead of blaming individuals for their eating habits, addressing the more noteworthy systemic concerns perpetuating inequalities in food access and affordability is imperative to promote fair access to healthy meals for all people. We must acknowledge that the moral duty to eat healthily should not be a privilege only enjoyed by the wealthy but rather a fundamental human right enjoyed by all.
Works Cited
Biltekoff, Charlotte. “From Microscopes to ‘Macroscopes.’” Eating Right in America, 2013, pp. 80–108. Web.
—. “The Cultural Politics of Dietary Health.” Eating Right in America, 2013, pp. 1–12. Web.
Nestle, Marion. “Introduction: The Food Industry and ‘Eat More.’” Food Politics, 2019, pp. 1–28. Web.