Supermarché

08/02/23

I never did groceries out of my own will.

"Go grab me some milk and yogurt," said my mother. On summer days, she would order me to get the classic ice cream and soda. I never question, just comply and get it done. After all, I get to eat some of that flavourful food and snacks.

Several years passed by without notice and I am now an independent adult living alone and navigating the sea of adulthood. Scary, exciting, and boring at the same time.

The time is 9:30 on a Sunday, which means errands day. Fantastic, I reluctantly dragged myself out of my haven which I call my bed. I got ready and left the house.

The dreamy, vibrant tune at the supermarket always soothes and calms me. I got myself a trolley and started walking towards the aisle to look for what I wanted for the week.

I was about to grab myself a pack of soda when suddenly my vision blurred.

"Is that sugar coming out from that can?" I thought to myself. I could not believe my eyes and so I looked at the back of the can.

"20g of sugar per 100ml"

I grabbed another bag of chips next to it.

"EAT ME!" it says

At this point, confusion and horror struck me. There is no way I'm witnessing this. I must be dreaming.

My vision turned back to normal after some time. And I decided to thoroughly check each and every item I landed my eyes on.

Instant coffee: 15g sugar

Chips: 1000mg sodium

Orange juice: 7g sugar

Crackers:xxxxxxxxx

The processed ingredient list continues until I failed to understand what I was reading. Only a bunch of unreadable chemical names remain.

The more time I spend reading these labels for the very first time, the more I feel betrayed. Chemicals, poisons, added sugars. What have I been feeding into my system?

However, the dilemma hits me hard and cold this time. Should I put these childhood favourites of mine back onto the shelves? Ones that celebrated my highs and stuck against my lows.

I really don't know anymore. This decision is between pleasurable memories and unapologetic truths.

As I face this dilemma, I found myself slowly and naturally reading all the nutritional labels on every item.

Never have I ever spent so much time in a supermarket. But one thing is for sure. The things that I bought this time have been consciously filtered with my shopping cart.

As I slowly walked out of the store with a bag that feels ten times lighter but with groceries that are ten times cleaner. I thought to myself

"I guess it's time to filter life."