MODERATION

TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAY 'FAT BOY', THE A-BOMB, WIPED OUT HIROSHIMA IN 1945. REMEMBERING 'FAT BOY' CREATES AN APPROPRIATE SEGUE INTO A RUMINATION ON THE PREVENTION OF FAT BOYS AND GIRLS, MEN AND WOMEN. NUTRITION EXPERTS 'LOVE' TO REPEAT THE STANDARD ADMONITIONS TO EAT WHOLE GRAINS, BRAN AND OAT CEREALS, LEGUMES (PEAS AND BEANS), ALMONDS, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. OFTEN THEY FOLLOW THIS EXHORTATION WITH ANOTHER ONE TO LIMIT SALT, SUGAR AND ALCOHOL. I HAVE RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED A YOUNG, REED THIN INDIVIDUAL, PUMPED UP WITH SUGARY SODAS AND UNINTERESTED IN FOOD AND FOOD CHOICES, WHOSE KINETIC HOBBY, HIS DRIVING PASSION, CONSUMES HIS LIMITED INTAKE OF CALORIES AND RENDERS HIM PHYSICALLY 'FIT.' SKINNY AND IN PERPETUAL MOTION, HE OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HEALTHY SNACKS OR MEAL SELECTIONS. ANY CHOICE HE MAKES IS GLADLY RECEIVED BY HIS GROWING FRAME.

WOULD THE EXPERTS FIRST SWOON WITH SATISFACTION AND WHEN REVIVED RECOMMEND THIS LIFESTYLE TO ALL OF US? WELL, I, AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LUMPY PROLETARIAT, UNINSPIRED BY NON-STOP MOTION AND 'FUN' BEG TO DIFFER. I CONFRONT THE NUTRITION PYRAMID AND WEEP. I THINK THAT WHOLE GRAINS TASTE LIKE RECYCLED CARDBOARD, ALMONDS ARE TOO COSTLY, PEAS AND BEANS SHOULD BE SIDE DISHES AND ONLY SELECTED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES RECEIVE MY APPROVAL. SALT OF NECESSITY MUST BE SALTY, SUGAR SWEET AND WINE TASTY. WHAT DOES AN APPRECIATOR OF FAT AND FINE COOKING REALISTICALLY INGEST? THE NUTRITION EXPERTS CONDEMN MUCH THAT I LOVE. THE ADOLESCENT ATHLETE APPROVES OF MUCH THAT THE EXPERTS HATE.

THE SECRET TO THINNESS LIES WITHIN THE YOUNG MAN'S PERPETUAL MOTION, A CONDITION IMPOSSIBLE FOR MANY BOYS, GIRLS, MEN AND WOMEN. THE ANSWER TO 'FITNESS' I CONTEND, LIES NOT IN EXTREMES BUT WITHIN A COMMON SENSE LIFESTYLE OF MODERATE GRAZING ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF CULINARY OPTIONS.