In a world where choices have multiplied, supermarket aisles seem endless, and our screens overflow with information, even the act of eating has become a profound ethical decision. What we put on our plates no longer affects just our bodies—it impacts the environment, the economy, public health, and even future generations. Once a matter of survival, food has now become a powerful expression of identity, belief, and responsibility.
The trio of health, nutrition, and social responsibility seeks to answer some of the most fundamental and increasingly complex questions of our time: How can we nourish ourselves in a way that sustains not only our own lives but also the life of the planet and society as a whole?
Health and Nutrition
Let’s start where nutrition begins—with the body. The ancient wisdom of "we are what we eat" takes on a new meaning in an age of chronic illness, fast food, and heightened health awareness. Science has definitively linked nutrition and health. Countless studies have shown that poor nutrition is associated with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s. The goal is not only to avoid disease but to promote vitality, longevity, and mental clarity. Yet food is not merely a means of sustenance or a nutritional supplement—it is a realm in which we cast a vote each day for or against our well-being.
To eat healthily, however, we must first navigate a labyrinth of real information, misinformation, and pseudoscience. One day eggs are the enemy, the next they’re a superfood. We’re told to fear fats, then to embrace them. Carbohydrates swing between essential and dangerous. Add to that the allure of magical detoxes, miracle fruits, and alkaline diets, and the average person is left confused. This confusion reveals a deeper crisis: “The erosion of trust in scientific discourse is being exploited by those who speak confidently without rigor.” As consumers, we must learn to question not only what is being said, but how it is known.
Individual Responsibility
Even within our awareness, we remain vulnerable to fear. Scientific-sounding terms like “E330” or “citric acid,” when stripped of context, can induce anxiety. In Turkey, for instance, these codes are often met with suspicion. Citric acid (E330), commonly known as “lemon salt,” is an essential kitchen ingredient and a completely harmless natural component of lemons—yet it can be demonized with a selective truth and a sinister tone.
Similarly, asbestos is indeed hazardous, but only when inhaled—yet trace amounts in water can be exaggerated and labeled “deadly.” The same manipulations occur with food additives: even Vitamin C (E300) can be portrayed as a toxic chemical. In Turkey, the lack of scientific literacy paves the way for fear-based narratives. Without a commitment to scientific understanding, societies become vulnerable to fear-mongering masquerading as authority. In a world where anyone can publish a theory, critical thinking is no longer optional—it is a civic duty.
Social Responsibility
This is where responsibility steps in—not just personal but collective responsibility. Nutrition is a deeply personal issue, but it is also highly social. Our eating habits affect not only our bodies but also public healthcare systems, agricultural policies, and the welfare of workers across the food supply chain. In the same country—even the same household—malnutrition and obesity can coexist, revealing a paradox that highlights systemic inequality. In one corner of the world, caloric excess leads to cardiovascular disease; in another, children die from starvation. This is not just a health issue—it is a moral issue.
Then there's the environment. Every bite we take is a transaction with the Earth. Industrial agriculture has fed billions, but often at the cost of biodiversity, soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Animal farming, in particular, is highly damaging to the environment. Does this mean everyone must become vegetarian? Not at all. But it does mean we can no longer ignore the ecological consequences of our appetites. What was once a fringe concern—ethical eating—is now a global necessity.
Cultural and religious dimensions also add nuance to how we eat. Take Ramadan, for example—a sacred time that blends spiritual and physiological cleansing. Or Eid al-Adha, where sharing becomes ritual and tradition shapes culinary practices. These moments invite us to reflect on balance, gratitude, and discipline. They teach us that food is not just calories—it is a vessel of meaning.
We also have civic responsibilities that extend to emerging technologies. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), for instance, have sparked heated debates. Some view them as tools of corporate control; others see them as solutions to global hunger. As always, the truth is complex. The science of food biotechnology and GMOs is not inherently evil—but its implementation must be approached with ethical, ecological, and socioeconomic considerations. Rejecting GMOs without understanding the science risks discarding vital solutions to hunger and malnutrition. Blindly embracing them invites unforeseen consequences. Our guide should not be dogma, but discernment.
So, what does it mean to eat responsibly?
It means understanding that our health is not isolated—it is deeply intertwined with the health of others and of the planet. It means choosing real nourishment over fads, tradition over trend, and science over superstition. It means not being swayed by the loudest voices, but listening to the most informed. It means resisting oversimplified narratives and embracing complexity. Ultimately, health, nutrition, and social responsibility are not separate issues. They are a single, urgent dialogue—one we must engage with not only using our intellect, but also our forks and knives.
Stay well…
Assoc. Prof. Murat Doğan
