Birke Baehr: What's Wrong with Our Food System?
我们的粮食系统出了什么问题

难度级别：★★★

燕山大学 刘立军 宋葳 编写

◇INTRODUCTION

At a TEDx event, 11-year-old Birke Baehr presents his take on a major source of our food - far-away and less-than-picturesque industrial farms. Keeping farms out of sight promotes a rosy, unreal picture of big-box agriculture, he argues, as he outlines the case to green and localize food production.

◇BEFORE VIEWING

TASK 1: VOCABULARY PREVIEW

1. take n. take on sth. (informal) the particular opinion or idea that sb. has about sth. 看法；意见。例如：
○What's his take on the plan? 他对这项计划有什么意见？
○a new take on the Romeo and Juliet story (= a way of presenting it) 对《罗密欧与朱丽叶》故事的重新演绎

2. picturesque n. (of language 语言) producing strong mental images by using unusual words 生动的；栩栩如生的。例如：
○a picturesque description of life at sea对海上生活生动的描述

3. rosy adj. likely to be good or successful 美好的；乐观的。 hopeful例如：
○The future is looking very rosy for our company. 我们公司的前景一片光明。
○She painted a rosy picture of their life together in Italy (= made it appear to be very good and perhaps better than it really was). 她把他们在意大利的共同生活描绘得非常美好。

4. manipulate v. to control or use sth. in a skilful way （熟练地）操作，使用。例如：
○to manipulate the gears and levers of a machine熟练地操纵机器的排挡和变速杆
○Computers are very efficient at manipulating information. 计算机在处理信息方面效率极高。

5. creepy adj. causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or slight horror 令人毛骨悚然的；令人不寒而栗的 scary 例如：
○a creepy ghost story令人毛骨悚然的鬼故事
○It's kind of creepy down in the cellar! 地窖里真令人有点不寒而栗！

6. toxicity n. the quality of being poisonous; the extent to which sth. is poisonous 毒性；毒力。例如：
○substances with high levels of toxicity毒性大的物质

7. inflammation n. a condition in which a part of the body becomes red, sore and swollen because of infection or injury 发炎；炎症

8. lesion n. (medical 医) damage to the skin or part of the body caused by injury or by illness （因伤病导致皮肤或器官的）损伤，损害。例如：
○skin/brain lesions皮肤 / 大脑损伤

9. fossil fuel n. fuel such as coal or oil, that was formed over millions of years from the remains of animals or plants 化石燃料（如煤或石油）

10. strip v. strip sth. (off) | strip A (off/from B)/strip B (of A) to remove a layer from sth., especially so that it is completely exposed 除去，剥去（一层）；（尤指）剥光。例如：
○Strip off all the existing paint. 把现有的油漆全部刮掉。
○Deer had stripped the tree of its bark. 鹿啃掉了树皮。
○Deer had stripped all the bark off the tree. 鹿把树皮全都啃光了。
○After the guests had gone, I stripped all the beds (= removed all the sheets in order to wash them). 客人走后，我把被单床单全都撤了下来。

11. pesticide n. a chemical used for killing pests , especially insects 杀虫剂；除害药物。例如：
○vegetables grown without the use of pesticides未用杀虫剂种植的蔬菜
○crops sprayed with pesticide喷洒过杀虫剂的庄稼

12. herbicide n. a chemical that is poisonous to plants, used to kill plants that are growing where they are not wanted 除莠剂；除草剂

13. sugarcoated adj. 包有糖衣的; 裹糖的 Sugar-coated food is covered with a sweet substance made of sugar. 例如：
○Some sugar-coated cereals are 50% sugar. 有些裹糖的谷物食品含糖量达50%。
○sugar-coated popcorn裹糖的爆米花

14. flake n. a small, very thin layer or piece of sth., especially one that has broken off from sth. larger 小薄片；（尤指）碎片。例如：
○flakes of snow/paint雪花；剥落的片片油漆
○dried onion flakes干洋葱皮片

15. cereal n. food made from the grain of cereals, often eaten for breakfast with milk（常加牛奶作早餐用的）谷类食物。例如：
○breakfast cereals谷类早餐食物
○a bowl of cereal一碗麦片粥

TASK 2: TOPIC PREVIEW
Work in pairs and discuss the following question.

Just think about some words related to “food”.

◇VIEWING

TASK 3:
Read the table. Then watch the video and complete the table with the words you hear.

Topic		What's wrong with our food system
Statement		I'm really amazed at ______________________ kids are led to believe all the marketing and advertising on TV, at public schools and pretty much everywhere else you look.
Body	Problems	I discovered the dark side of the ___________________________.
	1	There's _____________________ engineered seeds and organisms.
	2	Conventional farmers use ________________________ made from fossil fuels that they mix with the dirt to make plants grow.
	3	More harmful chemicals are sprayed on fruits and vegetables, like pesticides and herbicides, to kill ______________________.
	Solutions	I ask myself, how can I change? How can I change these things? This is what I found out.
	1	I discovered that there's a ____________________ for a better way. Now a while back, I wanted to be an NFL football player. I decided that I'd rather be an _______________________ instead. And that way I can have a greater impact on the world.
	2	We can all make a difference by ______________________, by buying our food directly from local farmers, or our neighbors who we know in real life.
	3	There are farms whose ______________ do eat grass and whose ________________ do roll in the mud, just like I thought.
	4	I believe kids will eat __________________________ if they know more about it and where it really comes from.
	5	There are farmers' markets in every _____________ popping up.
Conclusion		Next time you're at the grocery store, think __________, choose _____________, know your farmer and know your _______.

◇AFTER VIEWING

TASK 4: DISCUSSION
Work in group and discuss the following question.

How to eat healthy?

SUGGESTED ANSWERS

◇BEFORE VIEWING

TASK 2: TOPIC PREVIEW

○food
Different kinds of food
Frozen food

○dish
My favorite dish is fried chicken.

○casserole 砂锅
My favorite dish is vegetable / chicken casserole. 砂锅蔬菜/砂锅鸡肉

○stir-fry 炒
I prefer stir-fried vegetables.

○dessert
I usually have some dessert fruits after meals.

○fruit salad 水果沙拉
Sometimes I have fruit salad for dessert.

○health food 绿色食品（未施农药）

○junk food 垃圾食品
Junk food contains a lot of fat, salt, and sugar.

○be past its sell-by date 过了保质期
I am very careful not to buy some food which has been past its sell-by date.

○protein 蛋白质
Eggs are a good source of protein.

○carbohydrates 碳水化合物
Most vegetables and fruit are very low in carbohydrates.

○fat 脂肪
I don’t like meat with too much fat.

○vitamin 维生素
There is a lot of Vitamin C in oranges.

○calorie
Chocolate is very high in calories.

○diet
I eat a healthy/ unhealthy diet.

○rotten 腐烂的
Rotten tomatoes have a nasty smell.

○sour （牛奶）变酸的
When the milk has gone sour, don’t drink it.

○fridge 冰箱

○defrost 解冻
I need to defrost the frozen chicken before cooking it.

○addictive 添加剂

○addictives / chemical additives人造添加剂/ 化学添加剂

○preservative 防腐剂
Junk food usually contains lots of additives and preservatives.

○eggshell鸡蛋壳

○egg white 鸡蛋清

○egg yolk 鸡蛋黄

○soft-boiled / hard-boiled 煮嫩的/煮老的

○scrambled eggs 炒鸡蛋（用牛奶和黄油）

◇VIEWING

TASK 3:

1. how easily
2. industrialized food system
3. genetically
4. chemical fertilizers
5. weeds and bugs
6. movement
7. organic farmer
8. making different choices
9. cows
10. pigs
11. fresh vegetables and good food
12. community
13. local
14. organic
15. food

◇AFTER VIEWING

TASK 4: DISCUSSION

Eating healthy is an important step to feeling great and having a strong, healthy body. This wikiHow will show you various ways in which to eat healthy. To get more information about how to eat healthy, please see attachment 2, or visit http://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Healthy.

◇Attachments
_______________________________________________________________
Attachment 1: What's wrong with our food system?
Attachment 2: How to Eat Healthy



Attachment 1: What's wrong with our food system?

0:12
Hello. My name is Birke Baehr, and I'm 11 years old. I came here today to talk about what's wrong with our food system. First of all, I would like to say that I'm really amazed at how easily kids are led to believe all the marketing and advertising on TV, at public schools and pretty much everywhere else you look. It seems to me like corporations are always trying to get kids, like me, to get their parents to buy stuff that really isn't good for us or the planet. Little kids, especially, are attracted by colorful packaging and plastic toys. I must admit, I used to be one of them. I also used to think that all of our food came from these happy, little farms where pigs rolled in mud and cows grazed on grass all day.
0:54
What I discovered was this is not true. I began to look into this stuff on the Internet, in books and in documentary films, in my travels with my family. I discovered the dark side of the industrialized food system. First, there's genetically engineered seeds and organisms. That is when a seed is manipulated in a laboratory to do something not intended by nature - like taking the DNA of a fish and putting it into the DNA of a tomato. Yuck. Don't get me wrong, I like fish and tomatoes, but this is just creepy. (Laughter) The seeds are then planted, then grown. The food they produce have been proven to cause cancer and other problems in lab animals, and people have been eating food produced this way since the 1990s. And most folks don't even know they exist. Did you know rats that ate genetically engineered corn had developed signs of liver and kidney toxicity? These include kidney inflammation and lesions and increased kidney weight. Yet almost all the corn we eat has been altered genetically in some way. And let me tell you, corn is in everything. And don't even get me started on the Confined Animal Feeding Operations called CAFOS.
2:01
(Laughter)
2:03
Conventional farmers use chemical fertilizers made from fossil fuels that they mix with the dirt to make plants grow. They do this because they've stripped the soil from all nutrients from growing the same crop over and over again. Next, more harmful chemicals are sprayed on fruits and vegetables, like pesticides and herbicides, to kill weeds and bugs. When it rains, these chemicals seep into the ground, or run off into our waterways, poisoning our water too. Then they irradiate our food, trying to make it last longer, so it can travel thousands of miles from where it's grown to the supermarkets.
2:37
So I ask myself, how can I change? How can I change these things? This is what I found out. I discovered that there's a movement for a better way. Now a while back, I wanted to be an NFL football player. I decided that I'd rather be an organic farmer instead. (Applause) Thank you. And that way I can have a greater impact on the world. This man, Joel Salatin, they call him a lunatic farmer because he grows against the system. Since I'm home-schooled, I went to go hear him speak one day. This man, this "lunatic farmer," doesn't use any pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified seeds. And so for that, he's called crazy by the system.
3:26
I want you to know that we can all make a difference by making different choices, by buying our food directly from local farmers, or our neighbors who we know in real life. Some people say organic or local food is more expensive, but is it really? With all these things I've been learning about the food system, it seems to me that we can either pay the farmer, or we can pay the hospital. (Applause) Now I know definitely which one I would choose. I want you to know that there are farms out there - like Bill Keener in Sequatchie Cove Farm in Tennessee - whose cows do eat grass and whose pigs do roll in the mud, just like I thought. Sometimes I go to Bill's farm and volunteer, so I can see up close and personal where the meat I eat comes from. I want you to know that I believe kids will eat fresh vegetables and good food if they know more about it and where it really comes from. I want you to know that there are farmers' markets in every community popping up. I want you to know that me, my brother and sister actually like eating baked kale chips. I try to share this everywhere I go.
4:29
Not too long ago, my uncle said that he offered my six-year-old cousin cereal. He asked him if he wanted organic Toasted O's or the sugarcoated flakes - you know, the one with the big striped cartoon character on the front. My little cousin told his dad that he would rather have the organic Toasted O's cereal because Birke said he shouldn't eat sparkly cereal. And that, my friends, is how we can make a difference one kid at a time.
4:54
So next time you're at the grocery store, think local, choose organic, know your farmer and know your food. Thank you.
5:01
(Applause)



Attachment 2: How to Eat Healthy

Eating healthy is an important step to feeling great and having a strong, healthy body. This wikiHow will show you various ways in which to eat healthy.

Method 1: Choosing a Healthy Diet

1.Choose the right carbohydrates.

Simple carbs, like raw sugar or corn syrup, are quickly absorbed by the body's digestive system. This causes a kind of carb overload, and your body releases huge amounts of insulin, to combat the overload. Eat these in moderation. Complex carbs, on the other hand, are slowly digested and absorbed by the body because they have at least three sugar molecules. They include whole-grain flour, hearty vegetables, oats, and unprocessed grains, like brown rice. These foods are usually higher in vitamins and other nutrients that are beneficial for the body, and they are higher in fiber (which keeps your digestive system running smoothly).
○Consider eating leafy greens like kale, collard greens, mustard greens, and Swiss chard. They are packed with nutrients and will fill you up very quickly. Create a simple sauté with olive oil, garlic, a little salt and pepper, which will be surprisingly tasty meal as well as a nutritious one.
○Choose wheat (brown) bread instead of white bread and whole wheat pasta instead of "normal" pasta. Processed carbohydrates, such as those found in white bread, do not have many of nutrients or the fiber found in whole grains. Plain oatmeal is also very healthy for you.

2.Eat lean, mean protein.

Aim to get between 10% and 35% of your daily calories from protein. Protein helps you to build muscle and gives you the lasting energy throughout the day. Some examples of healthy proteins include:
○Lean fish such as flounder, sole, cod, bass, perch, and halibut
○Lean poultry such as chicken or duck breast.
○Legumes like beans and soy products (e.g. edamame and tofu).
○Nuts like cashews.

3.Know the difference between good fat and bad fat.

You need to consume fat for your body to function correctly. However, it's important to choose the right kind of fats. Here's a quick primer.
○Monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids are good fats, which you should try to consume regularly. They help lower the "bad cholesterol" in your body by raising "good cholesterol". Foods that are high in fatty acids are olive oil, nuts, fish oil, and various seed oils. Adding these "good" fats to your weekly diet can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.
○Avoid trans fats and saturated fats. Trans fats, also known as partially hydrogenated oils, are a form of unsaturated fat commonly found in processed foods. Consuming them raises your risk of heart disease. Read the labels of what you eat, and look for "hydrogenated" anything on the ingredient list.

4.Stock up on superfoods.

So-called superfoods may have a misleading title, but some truly are cut above. Superfoods may have the ability to fight heart disease, stave off cancer, lower cholesterol, and even boost your mood. Here are just few of them:
○Blueberries. Blueberries may facilitate brain health. If you don't have access to blueberries, then try fresh berries, raspberries, or cranberries.
○Algae. It may not sound appetizing, but when you read the list of health benefits you may think again. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, as well as beneficial in managing natural flora in the gut.
○Salmon. Another creature of the sea makes the list, and for good reason. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a good type of fat. Omega-3 fats are good for blood pressure, brain function, and heart health.
○Cranberries. These red berries contain quercetin, a natural antioxidant, are low in sugar and are a good source of Vitamin C which is used for the growth and repair of tissue all over the body.

5.Watch your salt intake.

Although humans need salt in moderation, too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and osteoporosis. Use salt sparingly, and always check labels for salt content.

6.Practice moderation.

Don't over-consume any one food or type of food. Instead, try to vary your diet so that you eat a little bit of everything in a moderate amount.
○Some people might be great at giving up meat, sugar, alcohol, or other foods. However, most of us are likely to give it up for awhile, then break down and binge. Avoid this deprivation-binge cycle by allowing yourself to have small "cheats". For instance, if you want to eat less sugar, allow yourself to eat one dessert each Friday night and abstain for the rest of the week. Having a break to look forward, which can help your will power through the other days.

Method 1 Quiz
True or False: You should avoid all types of carbs, both simple and complex.

You should avoid all types of carbs.
Complex carbs are okay to eat.

KEY
×You should avoid all types of carbs.

√Complex carbs are okay to eat.


Method 2: Making Easy but Healthy Decisions

1.Drink plenty of water.

Staying hydrated with basic H2O is an easy and dramatic way to improve your health. Drinking enough water can also help with weight loss by keeping your stomach feeling full. Drink water before, during and after a meal to aid digestion.
○If you feel like snacking, try drinking a full glass of water first. If you're still hungry 15 minutes after your drink, then it's time for a snack.
○Carry water with you so you can easily pick it up when you're thirsty.

2.Avoid sugary drinks.

These include soft drinks, juices, sports and energy drinks, as well as other products containing artificial sweeteners. Giving up sugary drinks is one of the easiest ways you can instantly improve your diet and become healthier. A white chocolate crème frappuccino has whopping 500 calories. While it's okay to treat yourself with these and other drinks every once in a while, it's not a good idea to make them a regular part of your diet.

3.Consider participating in Meatless Mondays.

Meatless Monday is an international campaign that encourages people to give up eating meat one day per week. Eating less meat can have several health benefits, as most people already have enough protein in their diets.

4.Stay away from fast food.

As we all know fast food is bad for our health, yet it continues to remain a weekly staple for too many people. For one, fast food is often fried, processed, and excessively salty. Add soft drinks and fries and your meal could easily burn through half of your suggested caloric intake for the day. To add insult to injury, much of the fat contained in fast food is trans fat, the worst kind of fat.

5.Reduce your alcohol intake.

Excessive alcohol consumption makes you gain weight and is hard for the liver to process leading to a host of preventable diseases. Drinking in moderation is key, if you do consume alcohol, consider drink a glass of wine or beer with your meal as opposed to multiple drinks at a bar.
○Red wine, in particular, contains polyphenol, called resveratrol that scientists believe is particularly heart-healthy. Resveratrol improves the function of blood vessels in the heart and curbs the amount of "bad" cholesterol in your body.
○Are you pregnant and worried about drinking? Doctors recommend expectant mothers to abstain from alcohol.

Method 2 Quiz
Which of the following is a healthy way to change your diet?

Drink more water.
Eat more meat.
Drink more alcohol.
All of the above.

KEY

√Drink more water.

×Eat more meat.

×Drink more alcohol.

×All of the above.


Method 3: Changing Your Mindset

1.Adopt a healthy attitude towards food.

Take a hard look at your eating habits. Do you eat more when you feel stressed? Do you withhold food from yourself in order to feel like you're in control? Try to evaluate whether you have an unhealthy emotional attachment to food. If you do, here are few steps to consider:
○Find a healthier replacement. If you find that you tend to gorge on unhealthy foods when you're stressed, find a substitute activity - for instance, you could instead go for a walk, take a long bath, or call a trusted friend for a chat. Whatever you choose, it should be something that helps you to decompress, so that you no longer feel the need to binge.
○See food as sustenance. A lot of Western culture is rife with messages that food is for entertainment or for relieving boredom. Break yourself of this cognitive habit by consciously evaluating food in terms of what it can do to keep your body healthy. Ask yourself if what you're about to put in your mouth is good for you, and if it will help your body function as it was designed to.
○Consult a medical professional. Eating disorders are classified as mental illnesses, and you can't always just talk yourself into stopping destructive behaviors. If you suspect that you have an eating disorder (whether it's over- or under-eating), ask your general practitioner to refer you the appropriate care.

2.Determine how many calories your body needs to function each day.

This number can vary widely, depending upon your metabolism and how physically active you are. As a rule, the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you need to consume and to function properly. Otherwise, your body will start breaking down muscle tissue for energy.
○If you're the kind of person who puts on 10 pounds just smelling a slice of pizza, then your daily caloric intake should stay around 2000 calories for men, and 1500 calories for women. Your body mass also plays a part in this - more calories are suitable for naturally bigger people, and fewer calories for smaller people.
○If you're the kind of person who can eat without putting on a pound, or you're physically active, you may want to increase your daily caloric intake by 1000-2000 calories, a little less for women.

3.Don't skip breakfast.

Many people do this because they think they can drop pound, or they just don't feel hungry in the morning. Although the scientific evidence is still inconclusive, there are several reasons why you might not want to skip what many people believe is the "most important meal of the day".
○Eating breakfast gets your metabolism going and keeps it active throughout the morning. This will keep you energized through out the morning.
○Skipping breakfast might leave you famished by lunch, causing you to binge as a way to compensate.
○A small breakfast is better than no breakfast. If you don't feel up to a full meal, at least drink some water and eat a piece of fruit, a granola bar, or a piece of toast. Get more nutritious bang for your buck by eating a breakfast smoothie.
○Avoid skipping breakfast at the day of an important exam, job interview, or other critical event, where you may be distracted by your hunger or not have enough energy for your brain to work to its full potential.

4.Eat slowly.

Have you ever gorged on a huge meal and felt fine immediately after, but felt like exploding 15 minutes later? This happens because it takes some time for your stomach to tell your brain that it's full. Circumvent the problem by consuming your food slower. That way, by the time you get the message and start feeling satisfied, you haven't consumed extra food.

○Slow yourself down by waiting 5 or 10 minutes between each course. Chew each bite thoroughly
○Drink a full glass of water throughout your meal. Stopping for sips will slow your eating, as well as help you feel more full.
○Put your fork down between bites. This is a physical reminder to finish the food in your mouth before taking another bite.

5.Eat five times per day.

You may consider eating three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), with two snacks in between. Doing this allows you to eat slightly less at your meals, giving your body a more manageable amount of food to digest, and keeps your blood sugar at a consistent level throughout the day.

Method 3 Quiz
Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, but is this really true? Which of the following statements is true in regards to breakfast?

Eating breakfast can cause you to put on weight by slowing down your metabolism, so it’s better to skip it.
Skipping breakfast every once in a while is fine, especially if you are in a hurry or not hungry.
You should never skip breakfast; a small breakfast is better than no breakfast.
You should always eat a large breakfast, no matter what.

KEY

×Eating breakfast can cause you to put on weight by slowing down your metabolism, so it’s better to skip it.

×Skipping breakfast every once in a while is fine, especially if you are in a hurry or not hungry.

×You should never skip breakfast; a small breakfast is better than no breakfast.

×You should always eat a large breakfast, no matter what.


Sources and Citations

1.http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-kitchen-11/how-much-protein
2.http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/superfoods-everyone-needs
3.http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/slideshows/8-superfoods-and-their-alternatives/2
4.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/10/spices-health_n_1085099.html#s461530&title=Cinnamon
5.http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120521/Salt-intake-why-is-it-bad-for-you.aspx
6.http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
7.http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/digestion/faq-20058348
8.http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-high-calorie-menu-items-2013-6?op=1
9.http://www.usatoday.com/interactive/2486955/
10.http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281
11.http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200311/stress-and-eating
12.http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/basics/definition/con-20033575
13.http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa1208051

Adapted from http://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Healthy