| The purpose of this study was to learn from a group of nutritionists (1) their views about the wholesomeness of the food supply, (2) the life experiences that shaped their views, (3) the food-related behaviors to which these views have led, and (4) whether they thought the food supply of the future would be better or worse than that of today. Telephone interviews were conducted with 20 nutritionists (16 were RDs; 15 had advanced degrees) selected randomly from the membership of the Food and Nutrition Council of Greater New York, Inc. They were asked approximately 32 open-ended questions from a semi-structured interview protocol. Data analysis was conducted in a standardized fashion.;As a group, participants felt that the American food supply is nutritious, but it is not easy for people to eat nutritiously. They had very mixed feelings over whether or not the food supply was safe. Views about the wholesomeness of the food supply were influenced by many life experiences and sources of information. They generally ate nutritious diets, though more than half took supplements. They enjoyed cooking much more then food shopping, and tended to read the nutrition labels on supermarket items to help them decide which products to avoid. Participants felt that the food supply of the future would be worse than that of today, with which they were on the whole satisfied. But they were not inclined to move the food supply in directions they desired beyond providing nutrition advice to their patients, students, or audiences. Despite these generalities, it must be emphasized that for most of the questions, some participants expressed opinions that were in fundamental disagreement with opinions of the others.;Participants expressed the belief that individuals are responsible for making proper food choices, but they also believed that the psychological, social, economic, and political environment in which we all live entice people to choose unwholesome, convenient products. By subscribing to a philosophy of personalism and defining their professional roles narrowly as educators, participants seem to have fallen into an ideological trap. |
