By Lisa Hauf
Well, we did it. We did what so many families decide to do come springtime — we got a puppy. It has been over 14 years since I’ve have had a dog, no less a puppy! It was a bit of an “on a whim decision.” I knew we would eventually get a dog for the family but didn’t know when. I guess the when was now.
As I was loading up on chew toys and treats at the pet store, I asked an employee what type of food I should get for our Aussiedoodle. In return, she asked me a question that caught me off guard, “What are you trying to achieve with his food?” What in the world was she talking about?! I just want to keep him alive and healthy. But really, what else would I be trying to achieve?
I had no idea there were so many options for dog food. Lamb, chicken, beef, salmon and then it can be paired with rice, oats, and barely – just to name a few. Then there is food for healthy weight, high protein, grain free and so much more. Let’s not even get into the different brands of food. Did you know there are nearly 650 different brands of dog food, which is an increase of 71% since 2011! And Google says there are over 4,100 recipes. I honestly had no idea where to start.
I let the gal know I wanted something that doesn’t break the bank and is easy to find. I didn’t want something I have to special order or make a special trip to get. Then, I decided to see what brands had the most and best reviews online. In the end, I narrowed it down and found one our pup, Ozzy, seems to like.
This made me think of all the food choices we as humans have and how we decide what is best for our diet. When I walk the aisles at the grocery store the choices are overwhelming. What are we trying to achieve when picking out our food? How do we make those decisions? Does marketing play a role in what we eat or does sound science lead us to healthy choices?
Americans spend only 9% of their disposable income on food each year. People in China spend 22%. And U.S. agriculture accounts for less than 10% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, far less than transportation, electricity generation and industry sectors. Efficiency and embracing technology means U.S. farmers produce more food on fewer acres. U.S. agriculture would have needed nearly 100 million more acres in 1990 to match 2018 production levels.
We truly are blessed to live in a country where we have choices when it comes to our diets. Maybe your budget plays a role in your decision making or maybe you have food allergies. The way we were brought up can also influence our eating style. Either way, I’m glad I live in a country where we have safe and affordable food. We have choices and what we decide to eat and the reasons behind those decisions are only ours to make.
Lisa is NDFB's Public Relations Director and lives near Bismarck with her husband, three sons and of course, Ozzy the pup!