Neither Too Much, Nor Too Little: Use Common Sense

Araceli Munoz

Defining what things or practices are healthy or unhealthy is very important in our life: it establishes what we have to eat and to do, how we should live and how our lifestyle has to be and even our sleep position.

Everybody knows that a donut and a fizzy drink is less healthy than a plate of vegetables and a glass of milk. As in everything, you can eat them but moderately. We know that a lot of foods and drinks contain a set of products which we shouldn’t abuse, but, as it has been demonstrated through this century, people won’t stop drinking or eating them until their harmful effects are demonstrated. A similar discussion took place in the 60s regarding tobacco. And although, nowadays, everybody knows that tobacco can cause cancer, big state advertising campaigns have been necessary in order for people to realize its risks.

We pass through life looking for a magic brew not to have to make an effort to achieve our goals, or to justify our preferences, pleasures, lifestyle or just our slackness. Sweets not fatting, machines to lose weight without making an effort … they are more attractive perspectives that eating an insipid leaf of lettuce or running four kilometres.

We need scientific conclusions in order to certify or to deny things that common sense says to us, and everyday life confirms to us. In science we can find technical proofs and justifications for all the options that we wish.

But also, currently, we ask what is or isn’t healthy about things or situations that some years ago we had raised. Ideas about what things or social practices are healthy or unhealthy have changed as time goes by and in different cultures, but we speak like they are unique and universal.

Years ago, people said that sugar wasn’t healthy and a lot of people changed to saccharine. Nowadays, scientists say that sugar is more healthy than other sweeteners. The same things occur with sleeping position: Is it better sleeping on our back or on our stomach? Maybe scientists now say something but they can change their opinion in the future.

Moreover, the culture of the aesthetics, body and health has been changing over time and in different cultures too. In the same way, the association of body with health and illness has changed a lot. The time is long gone when a fat body was seen as healthy and a thin body was seen as sickly.

A few centuries ago, painters painted elegant women with many curves, large and with cellulite. Who would have said to them that the feminine model in the 21st century might be a woman with muscles and underweight. But also it’s true that habits and customs have changed too. Diets are much richer in proteins, fat and carbohydrates than in the past and people tend to move less and have more static habits.

As in most issues, it is necessary to use more common sense. In sport and in diet, neither too much nor too little: it doesn’t have to turn into an obsession but nor is it necessary to look for excuses that serve as justification for those who do not want to do exercise or eat less. Moderately, sport and a healthy diet can be a great help to improve our life’s quality.