The aces of info | Ultra-processed foods, body diversity and the Abenaki tiktokeur

Every Sunday, The Press broadcasts the content of Les As de l’info, a youth digital platform entirely devoted to daily news.

Quiz: can you spot ultra-processed foods?

Have you ever come across a chip tree? Or saw a herd of chicken croquettes on the loose? No, of course ! These foods are not found in nature. They are part of a category called ultra-processed foods. They are often very attractive, but it is better not to abuse them. Can you recognize them? Test your knowledge with our quiz!

What is an ultra-processed food?

Ultra-processed foods are produced in large quantities in factories. They are often inexpensive and high in salt, sugar and fat. The list of ingredients is often filled with words that are difficult to understand (for example: glucose-fructose, soy lecithin, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, etc.).

Why shouldn’t it be abused?

We know that excessive consumption of sugar, salt and fat increases the risk of having diseases such as cancer. They damage heart health and promote obesity. That said, it’s okay to eat candy or chips once in a while. The important thing is to also eat healthy foods! When you have a little craving, you can choose an unprocessed food like a fruit, or a little processed like a yogurt.

Now it’s up to you!

Which of these foods do you think is ultra-processed?

A. Canned tuna

B. Granola bars

C. Eggs

D. Maple syrup

Chewy bars that can last on shelves for months are usually ultra-processed foods. One of the tricks to help you identify them: they are often ready-to-eat foods, that is to say that they do not require any cooking or preparation.

Peanut butter is…

A. A little or unprocessed food

B. A processed food

C. An ultra-processed food

D. All of these answers

It all depends on the ingredient list! If there are only peanuts, it is a minimally processed food. If there is salt or sugar, it is a processed food. Adding emulsifiers to ensure the oil doesn’t separate from the butter can make it an ultra-processed food.

In Canada, in an imaginary grocery cart filled with 100 foods, how many are ultra-processed foods?

A.10

B.20

c.30

D.50

Half of Canadians’ grocery basket is made up of ultra-processed foods, according to a report released in 2020 by Statistics Canada. It’s too much. THE Canada’s food guide recommends reducing our consumption of these foods.

Are vegetable balls that mimic the taste of meat ultra-processed?

Yes indeed

B. No

There is no doubt: with their long list of ingredients, industrial vegetable balls are ultra-processed.

According to an article by Daphne Cameron, The Press

Body diversity, let’s talk about it!

Is my body normal? Do you have to be thin to be handsome or beautiful? How to learn to love yourself? Mélanie talks to you in this video about body diversity, fatphobia, and gives you tips for making peace with the image in the mirror.

Xavier Watso, committed Abenaki teacher and tiktoker

High school drama teacher, columnist for the newspaper Metro and on the show Good evening !, Xavier Watso is everywhere at once! Abenaki from the community of Odanak in the Centre-du-Québec region, he is also very involved in the First Nations cause, especially on TikTok., with its educational content. As National Indigenous History Month begins, Xavier answers our questions.

You grew up in Montreal. What made you want to reconnect with your roots? Did you have a click?

I was born in Yamaska, the village next to my community of Odanak. My father is a Cournoyer, therefore a white Quebecer, and my mother is Watso. When I was 5, we moved to Montreal. I grew up in Montreal, so I really consider myself a Montrealer. The biggest click occurred around the twenties. By taking Abenaki lessons, I realized that I was missing a part of myself that I did not yet know. All of that was kind of taken away from me. My mother was in the Sixties Scoop and my grandmother went to boarding school. They were deprived of the possibility of living their culture and their traditions, so they were not passed on to me. That’s why in my twenties, I had to discover everything to define myself as an individual, as an Aboriginal and even as an Abenaki.

You are very present on TikTok to raise public awareness of the realities of First Nations. What motivated you to create this kind of content?

As a high school teacher, I find it super important to stay on top of what young people are consuming on the web. Two years ago, TikTok was the hot new app and I got into it. I wondered what could be both interesting and fun to do. Being an activist for fifteen years, I simply transposed my activism on TikTok. Two years ago, the indigenous community was, in my opinion, the strongest community on the platform. TikTok has made it possible to break down this barrier or this imposed distance with the reserves. Quickly, my account grew. And now, I also make this content to allow people to learn more about the Aboriginal communities, the Abenaki nation, our traditions and our language.

When you were younger, or even today, have you ever been a victim of racism?

It’s a good question. I don’t look like the stereotypical Native American, so I haven’t necessarily been subjected to racist comments. On the other hand, when I mentioned that I was aboriginal, people often allowed themselves to make jokes, and they were quite violent jokes. We’re breaking a lot of sugar on the backs of aboriginal people.

What offensive words should no longer be used with respect to First Nations?

Xavier answers you on video!

We are witnessing a desire for reconciliation on the part of governments. That’s good, but can we really reconcile without real apologies for everything that happened in the past?

To get to reconciliation, I often talk about the three “R” step. The first “R” is that of respect, of recognition of the Aboriginal community. Listening to ensure that these atrocities do not happen again. The second “R”, just as important as the first, is repair. If there is no reparation, there can be no reconciliation. And sometimes the problem with these excuses is that they don’t seem sincere. There is the example of the pope’s apology in 2021 in relation to the missing children who died in residential schools. The problem is that the pope apologized because of all the media pressure. Is that really an apology? Me, I allow myself to doubt it.

Finally, a bunch of questions!

Your favourite colour ?

Lilac or turquoise

Your favorite subject at school?

I always found it very difficult in school, but I would say drama and visual arts.

Your favorite film ?

Superheroes have always had a special place in my heart, so my favorite movie is Avengers: Endgame.

Apart from your work as a teacher and the content you publish on TikTokdo you have other passions?

I am one of the biggest fans of the Montreal Canadiens. With my friends, we are often interviewed by TVA Sports. Otherwise video games, chess and food.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

Lately, I think it would be the peacock. In aboriginal symbolism, it is really more than just a bird with beautiful feathers.