Beware any government policy that forces nutrition choices

Warning: Avoiding this fat will actually make you sicker

Earlier this week, I came down hard on New York City Mayor Bloomberg’s anti-obesity proposal.

Completely deserved, of course! Bloomberg’s proposed ban on extra large sodas might actually create new health problems.

But you have to give the mayor credit. At least he isn’t trying to tax people into being skinny.

Unfortunately, we can’t say the same about Denmark, where a new “fat tax” is already in place.

But just like the soda ban, this tax carries on a big-government tradition. When politicians force dietary choices on their constituents, they inevitably do more harm than good.

Beef and chips

The new Denmark tax has nothing to do with raising revenue. Its sole purpose is to create a financial hardship for Danish citizens who choose certain food items.

So basically, it’s a Nanny State gone wild. Politicians are literally telling the people who elected them: “Eat your vegetables!”

What’s next? A tax to force voters to sit up straight and not talk back? Or to wash behind their ears?

The insanely flawed “logic” here is that the tax will discourage people from eating fats. (It won’t.) And that will make them healthier. (It won’t.) And obesity rates will drop. (They won’t.)

From this, we can conclude that Danish lawmakers are completely delusional when it comes to nutrition. And here’s your proof…

The Denmark tax raises the cost of any food product that contains saturated fat.

So according to these “nutritionist” lawmakers, a cut of lean beef from a grass-fed steer is in the same class as a bag of potato chips.

It’s like comparing apples to Saturn. Yes, they’re that different.

Grass fed beef is low-calorie, high-quality protein with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. A bag of chips is trans-fatty acid junk, made from potatoes — a food that promotes obesity and type 2 diabetes.

And now both of these foods cost more in Denmark in hopes that Danes will stop eating them.

Earth to Denmark! This is the 21st century! We don’t fear good quality saturated fats anymore!

Last year I told you about a 20-year study that included more than 345,000 adults. Results showed NO LINK between saturated fat intake and a higher risk of heart disease, cardiovascular disease, or stroke.

Add to that, several important vitamins are fat-soluble. They actually work more effectively in your body with the help of saturated fats. I’m talking about key powerhouse vitamins like D, E, K, and A.

Denmark and all other governments take heed. The LAST thing you want to do is impede any citizen’s ability to utilize these important nutrients.

Sources:
“Denmark levies world’s first fat tax” Radio Netherlands Worldwide, 10/1/11, rnw.nl