You are what you eat. Few adages hold more truth than those five words. They can be taken literally to mean: The nutrients an organism (such as yourself) consumes will readily become a part of that organism’s living body. I like to think of the proverb in another way… a more squirm-inducing, thought-provoking and, to some, accusatory way: What you eat defines what kind of person you are.

Before I proceed, allow me to sacrifice my own pride on the altar of food ethics. I eat double bacon cheeseburgers. I drink a lot of soda. I only buy a few select organic products, because I think a near 100% mark-up on whole milk is ridiculous. I think buying local is complicated, so aside from my optimistic summer months, I have a yeti-sized carbon footprint. I drink Starbucks coffee… occasionally. I also eat at fast food establishments more often than I care to count.

However, I am in the process of redeeming myself. Over the span of three months, I’ve more than quadrupled my recipe arsenal and the bulk of my cooking now embraces whole grains, organic produce and recycled foods. I bought an eco-friendly glass dish to pack full of leftovers for my lunch breaks. I’ve switched from the cheaper, vastly more available sodas to healthier, friendlier, and more tasty varieties like Thomas Kemper. In short, I’m eating my way to a clearer conscience.

All of that combined means I am on-the-fence, penny-pinching and guilty-pleasure-loving, but also forward-minded and willing to improve.

What does your diet say about you? For every lifestyle, there is a food-style. In this national melting pot of cultures and beliefs, that means consumers are bombarded with countless dietary options. Unfortunately, most of the trends in food production are difficult to understand and expensive to experiment with. Even an experienced grocery shopper is bound to have a few questions about the confusing world of food. What exactly is organic? Slow food? Local? Where do I find these foods? Can I afford them? What impact can I possibly make? And most importantly, perhaps: Why should I care?

I had all of the same questions not so long ago, and I know exactly how daunting the research workload can be. In the interest of bettering humankind, let me give you some valuable information to make your quest for truth a little less frightening.

The organic sector of food production is the fastest-growing branch in the industry. Foods that are certified organic are produced with fewer artificial ingredients and additives (like hormones, chemicals, waxes, toxins, and preservatives) and are thereby considered healthier and less dangerous. They are grown using practices that protect surrounding ecosystems, and that keep safe the land and workers involved. They are, however, slightly more expensive to produce, as the overall yield per plot will be less than conventionally grown crops. Organic products can also be grown by manufacturers who grow conventional foods, so the rose-colored belief that these mega-agricultural powerhouses are revolutionizing their methods in the pursuit of growing nothing but sustainable, all-natural produce is a bit childish. Offering an organic alternative is just a way to keep the guests at their table, and the money in their pocket. Organic milk, vegetables, cereals, eggs and juices are great places to start, and you can find those products in nearly every grocery store in Wichita.

Slow food is both a principle and an organization. The principle is that we should all be better informed consumers. We should know how to grow food, where our food comes from, how much to pay for it, and how to give back to the land from which we’ve plowed. The organization is a collection of chapters around the world that hold pot-lucks and community classes, buy gardens, and fund huge events like Slow Food Nation in California, which welcomed over 50,000 attendees in 2008. To become a slow foodie, check out our local Wichita/Flint Hills chapter on Facebook, or visit the national site to learn more.

To be a locavore is to be a mindful consumer of a diet provided by producers within a 100-mile radius. This local diet is typically provided by small, organic farms whose managers are often thrilled to show you where your pumpkin or plum came from. A consumer that focuses on local products will be promoting small farm business and enriching the community economy. Eating locally is tricky, as most convenient shopping destinations don’t carry the neighboring farm’s spinach, and most local cattlemen sell the whole carcass, not just an 8oz loin. However, it is worthwhile to get to know a local farmer. Not only will you save money on produce, you’ll be better informed about the world of food and your local economy.

Eating with ethics may come at a cost. If you choose to continue buying all of your food at a grocery store, you may be facing a near 50% markup on items like organic fruits and cereals. If you can make the trip to a farmer’s market, you could save money on everything from produce to soap. If you buy directly from a local producer, grow a little of your own food, and take up canning and preserving.. You’ll save a fortune. Basically, the cost is entirely dependant upon how much effort you’re willing to give.

Many microbiologists, agricultural economists, activists, and politicians have contrasting views of the effects of ethical diets. I’ve heard many arguments, and the best summary I can give you of the whole ordeal is this: Maybe an organic system of food production can’t sustain the entire world. Maybe buying locally will minutely diminish the international market that feeds millions. Maybe the slow food movement will shut down a thousand McDonald’s and leave 10,000 teenagers without money for video games or lip gloss. All of these outcomes are possible, but not certain. What is certain in the world of food is that nothing changes until someone wills it. So if you want to eat for the environment, for the starving children of South America, for the local economy, or for animal rights, the best way to show producers how you feel is to buy accordingly. They may not watch you picket, they may not hear you complain… but they will certainly know what you’re spending money on. For that reason alone, it is imperative that you think before you shop.

The impact of such revolutionary dieting has been seen the world over. Look at The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. It was a short book written as a commentary on the mistreatment of the American blue collar workforce, but it brought about the creation of the Food and Drug Administration. Similarly, a small group of people looking for a more balanced, ecologically minded way to farm unknowingly began the organic food movement, which is now a rapidly growing force in the American economy. If you see a flaw in the system, it is within your power, as a consumer, to bring about change. Can a simple switch from conventional to organic power bars do this? The history of our society says yes, it can.

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Related posts:

1. [eat] Seasonally: Spring Edition
2. [eat] Wichita’s Slow Food Revolution
3. [eat] Sustainability for Dummies
4. [nest] Mr. Midwest Goes Green, Pt. 2
5. [shop] Explore Your Consumer Power