A Healthy Evaluation

Over the course of my life, my parents have participated in countless diets and subsequently, my house has been stocked with everything from protein bars that taste like death to vegetables. Having been forced to eat what they buy, I’ve developed certain criteria for evaluating all the different health foods I’ve come in contact with.

The first criteria I use when judging health food is its overall nutritional content. So many of the diet bars out there are nothing more than sugary bars, filled only with empty calories. A good health food has to contain balanced nutrition, with ample amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, all while keeping its calorie content in check.

The second criteria for judging health food is how long the food keeps hunger at bay. The biggest diet killer out there is hunger, which leads to overeating if left unchecked. A good nutritional supplement is something that will satisfy hunger pangs, not only the current meal, but also for a good part of the day.

Last, and most importantly, the taste must be considered when one deals with health food. It seems like there is some unwritten rule which states that healthy food must taste like stewed boots, but it is my experience that this is simply not true. I will concede the fact that vegetables aren’t nearly as delicious as a bowl of ice cream, but that doesn’t automatically mean that they’re disgusting. A great alternative to using fatty oils and butters in food dishes would be to use herbs and spices, which not only add aromatic flavors, but also gives the dish another dimension.

If I were to critique spoken word poets, I would have to do a lot of research before I began. For one, I would have to watch a couple of their shows, to see how well they perform live and how they deal with their audience. When reading or listening to their work, I would have to research how well they get their meaning across and how easily it is understood, but in order for me to even pick up on the meaning of their words, I would first have to research common poetry mechanics and devices to see what they would use. Even though it would be very interesting to watch a spoken word poet, I would first have to commit to a lot of research before I could even think about evaluating the poet.