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Food Quote by Barbara Kingsolver

“But humans have a built-in weakness for fats and sugar. We evolved in lean environments where it was a big plus for survival to gorge on calorie-dense foods whenever we found them. Whether or not they understand the biology, food marketers know the weakness and have exploited it without mercy…” quote by Barbara Kingsolver
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““But humans have a built-in weakness for fats and sugar. We evolved in lean environments where it was a big plus for survival to gorge on calorie-dense foods whenever we found them. Whether or not they understand the biology, food marketers know the weakness and have exploited it without mercy. Obesity is generally viewed as a failure of personal resolve, with no acknowledgement of the genuine conspiracy in this historical scheme. People actually did sit in strategy meetings discussing ways to get all those surplus calories into people who neither needed nor wished to consume them. Children have been targeted especially; food companies spend over $10 billion a year selling food brands to kids, and it isn't broccoli they're pushing. Overweight children are a demographic in many ways similar to minors addicted to cigarettes, with one notable exception: their parents are usually their suppliers. We all subsidize the cheap calories with our tax dollars, the strategists make fortunes, and the overweight consumers get blamed for the violation. The perfect crime.””

Barbara Kingsolver

About This Quote

Source Book: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, 1998

Our biology makes us crave high‑calorie foods, and marketers exploit this, leading to obesity being blamed on individuals rather than systemic manipulation.

In simple terms: Humans crave fats and sugar; marketers exploit this, causing obesity blame to miss systemic factors.

Key Takeaway

Recognize systemic influences on diet and support policy change.

Themes

nutrition marketing obesity policy child health

Mood

concerned critical hopeful

Type

analytical advocacy

When to use this quote

  • school lunch programs
  • government subsidies
  • parental education
  • food advertising regulation
  • community health initiatives

Key Concepts

biological cravings corporate exploitation public health economic incentives

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do corporate practices shape dietary habits?
  • What policies could reduce unhealthy food marketing to children?
A Different Perspective

Individual responsibility alone cannot solve obesity without addressing corporate and policy drivers.

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