A Peanut Butter Lesson

Ten years ago, I wrote an article on peanut butter as part of a series on label reading. A dietitian blasted me in the comments section. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! Peanut butter is always a good choice. Stay in your own lane.”

Stay in my own lane? This was evidence-based knowledge! I had highlighted unhealthy ingredients some brands included, like high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. I’d been in the food marketing business for many years, so I was keenly aware of food additives and misleading messages. 

Understand, this was before public shaming was the art form it’s become today. Before media headlines read like comic book fights. Perhaps I would have snarkily meme’d her or shared a click bait rebuttal like “An open letter to ill-educated dietitians.” 

Instead, I opted for the ever popular professional berating, thinly masked as intellectualism. Yes, ego driven moral superiority is always en vogue. I politely shared the Princeton study highlighting the negative effects of high fructose corn syrup. I casually mentioned my food labeling expertise and up-to-date industry knowledge. I showed her a thing or two, courteously of course. 

Shortly after, I discovered she worked with underserved kids. Where peanut butter is a shelf-stable, protein laden, affordable, and accessible staple for a child living in a food desert. Where the last thing you’d want is to increase a struggling mother’s angst over lack of access to the healthier choice. She was shielding vulnerable readers from guilt and shame.  

I felt like a pompous ass.

My private pay client base had access to dozens of brands in their dozens of grocery stores. Yes, I was doing my job in my privileged circle and she was doing the same in her disadvantaged space. But I had only looked through my hyper-focused lens, missing the broad public health mark of a city-wide newspaper.

What should have been a long-forgotten moment remains a humble reminder for me as I continue to understanding multiple perspectives. It served as a foundation for my return to higher education where public health was an integral part of my program. It serves as a daily reminder that my world is not universally experienced. Myopic views continue to set the stage for a polarized society, where moral superiority closes the door on new thoughts. I need reminders to keep my eyes, head, and heart open to change.

Stay in my own lane? Perhaps. But I’ll be leaning into yours to check out the view.

Peanut butter photo: Steve Buissinne