FROM THE editors October 4, 2004 Issue

Inward life/outward looks

Lately it seems as though every third cover story in the popular newsweeklies is about what we eat, or should not be eating. In its May 3 story, "The low-carb frenzy," TIME magazine estimated that 1,558 low-carbohydrate products have been introduced in the United States since 2002, with expected sales of $30 billion this year. For perspective's sake, that's about five times the 2002 gross domestic product of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

While you're sorting your way through all the talk about carbs and saturated fats, and the related advertising, you might want to consider another perspective on food and health.

While some food scientists say, "You are what you eat," the Science of spirituality says, "You are what you think." In other words, the content of the human mind, more than the nutritional content of our food, is what makes us either content or discontented with our lives and our bodies. But that's not exactly breaking news.

Send a comment to the editors

This is the end of the issue. Ready to explore further?

Online features Audio