"People with special conditions should always consult with their doctors before consuming new products."
I could have used this disclaimer when I was 10. My father started verbally berating me over trying new foods. While he had 2 children, he only picked on me. "Wonderful or awful" were essentially my choices. Wonderful wasn't viable since no one could live up to wonderful.
This was a rather unusual product, a drink that I was gifted. I love intense flavors in food and drink and even this drink was too intense for me. The second ingredient (behind water) was yuzu juice.
I did read the disclaimer and still tried the beverage, even while not consulting a single doctor or even a medical professional.
I didn't end up drinking too much from the beverage. I'm sure it's a great product, regardless of health conditions.
The use of the word "products" instead of "foods" was definitely a deliberate choice. I would love to find out what the "special conditions" would need to be. Chances are, given my physical health, good that I have "special conditions." People with "special conditions" likely have multiple doctors.
We think — not that we have medical expertise — people should try new foods without a doctor's permission. What if you never had sea urchin or pickled herring? Are they considered "products" or just foods? Does Flamin' Hot Cheetos qualify as a product you shouldn't try without a consultation with doctors?
Some of the foods where my father would berate me involved canned vegetables that weren't rinsed. I was too sensitive to the salt content, not that people thought about such things back in those days. I didn't like tuna fish too much as a kid. I found that the taste significantly improved when I rinsed the tuna fish out of the can.
After all, the verbal abuse wasn't about being right or health-conscious.
The idea of a doctor's note wouldn't have gone too far as a 10-year-old child, though stalling appealed to me greatly at that age.
BalanceofFood.com advice coverage
BalanceofFood.com travel coverage
Despite my alleged peculiarities as a child, I am a great advocate for trying new foods (products?) in my travels. Eat local what is local to where you travel. That could be tripe in central Italy, the aforementioned herring in Scandinavia, fish tacos in southern California, and poutine in Quebec in Canada.
Americans in particular (stereotype) struggle with being adventurous in trying new foods. We shouldn't create extra barriers to finding out what we like in food, whether that be overbearing parents or cultural prejudices against certain foods. This doesn't mean we have to like every food. Some foods are "meh," not wonderful or awful. This is a perfectly fine reaction to a food.
"Yes. FDA advises consumers to talk to their doctor, pharmacist, or other health care professional before deciding to purchase or use a dietary supplement. For example, some supplements might interact with medicines or other supplements."
We are not advising to necessarily go against the wishes of the Food and Drug Administration, as an example. We do note that disclaimers are set up to protect others from the implications of your actions. Be smarter in that regard.
Trying new foods is exciting, even if they don't succeed, like this juice for your humble narrator. Failure only comes if you don't try something because you are afraid. Travel well and eat well in those travels.
photos credit: me
