The Allure of a Villain

The Allure of a Villain: Why We Love to Blame Big Pharma, Processed Foods, and Seed Oils

It’s tempting to believe that there’s an ideology or villain out to sabotage our health—whether it’s Big Pharma, the processed food industry, or the supposed evil of seed oils. It gives us an easy target to point to and say, “There’s the problem!” The idea that our struggles with health, fitness, or nutrition stem from these massive, faceless entities plotting against us is incredibly palatable. Why? Because it absolves us of responsibility.

The Allure of a Scapegoat

Human psychology thrives on narratives, especially those with clear villains and victims. Blaming corporations or industries for our health problems simplifies a complex reality. It’s easier to say, “Kraft made me overweight” or “Seed oils are why I have inflammation” than to address personal habits like overeating, being sedentary, or prioritizing convenience over nutrient-dense food.

And sure, it’s not entirely baseless. History provides examples of questionable corporate behavior—companies funding studies to favor their products or pushing marketing agendas at the expense of public health. Tobacco companies did it, and so have others. But just because something has happened doesn’t mean it’s the rule rather than the exception.

Are Corporations Really the Problem?

The argument often goes: “They have so much money and pay for research that favors their efforts.” Could this happen? Of course. Has it happened before? Sure. But is it as widespread as some claim, or responsible for the obesity epidemic, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic disease at the scale we see today? The evidence says no.

Let’s step back and think about supply and demand. Corporations exist to sell products. They don’t create demand out of thin air—they respond to what people want. If we collectively demanded healthier food, less processed options, and fewer sugary snacks, you can bet those industries would shift gears. They don’t care if you’re eating kale chips or candy bars—they care that you’re buying their product.

This is where personal responsibility comes in. Yes, industries can make it harder by flooding the market with hyper-palatable foods or aggressive marketing campaigns. But at the end of the day, no one is forcing those foods into your mouth.

The Hard Truth: Responsibility Is Uncomfortable

Blaming others is easy; accountability is hard. It requires us to look in the mirror and acknowledge where we could do better:

• Are we cooking most of our meals at home or relying on convenience foods?

• Are we engaging in regular exercise or leading sedentary lives?

• Are we educating ourselves about nutrition or falling for every sensationalized claim on social media?

It’s not sexy to say, “I need to fix my habits,” but it’s the truth. If we focused on building better routines—like eating whole foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep—we’d be far less worried about what Pfizer or Kraft is doing.

The Seed Oil Hysteria: A Case Study

Take seed oils, for example. Are they problematic in excess? Sure—like any fat source, they’re calorie-dense, and in large amounts, they can contribute to imbalanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratios. But are seed oils a ticking time bomb destroying your health the way some narratives claim? The data doesn’t back that up.

What’s more likely is that chronic overeating, insufficient physical activity, and poor dietary patterns as a whole are the culprits. It’s much easier to demonize an ingredient than to admit that portion sizes have ballooned and we’re moving less than ever before.

The Bottom Line

Is the world perfect? No. Are industries free from blame? Definitely not. But if we spend all our time looking for villains to blame, we miss the opportunity to make meaningful changes in our own lives.

Improving your health starts with ownership—of your habits, your choices, and your mindset. Instead of blaming seed oils or processed foods for everything, ask yourself:

• Am I focusing on nutrient-dense, whole foods?

• Am I moving enough throughout the day?

• Am I critically evaluating claims rather than jumping on the latest bandwagon?

Because the truth is, no industry, ingredient, or ideology can have more power over your health than you allow it to.