opinions // no. 20 theotherpress.ca _—CO a Pineapple has no place on a pizza r " a; , 7 - > Stop promoting this disgusting abomination Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor like pineapple. It’s good dried, fresh, or in a fruit salad,. Fruit is a delicious, sweet food that is not intended to be mixed with savoury substances, like a pizza. The recent debate about pineapple on pizza has caused mixed reactions within the population, with divisions perhaps more hotly contested than any major political issue (yes, even Donald Trump). Some people are wrong, misguided fools who believe pineapple is actually considered an appropriate ingredient to put on a food that does not traditionally involve fruit. Other, more rational people understand that the sweetness of the berry (yes, pineapples are considered berries) creates a disgusting contrast to the hot meat, cheese, and sauce that most pizzas get their primary flavouring from. While most pizza toppings end up on a variety of pizzas, it is very rare to see pineapples as a topping on anything other than Hawaiian style. You won't find pineapple on any “meat lovers” or “deluxe” flavours. Personally, I’m not even a fan of vegetables on pizza. However, I understand that something like peppers or onions enhances the flavour and spices present in the pie. They complement the savoury taste, as opposed to dominating and ruining it with sweetness. i — The main issue is pairing it with the cheese and tomato sauce. “Hawaiian” pizza comes from the Hawaiian tradition of mixing pork with the native-grown pineapple when cooking, to enhance the juices of a succulent pig. This is much different than eating pineapple directly with bites of mozzarella and a thin pizza spread. Eating pineapple with bits of cheese would be considered disgusting, but when we mix it with a pizza and pieces of ham, suddenly it has become normalized. The Hawaiian is never anyone's top choice for pizza. We can all remember parties where pizza is ordered: pepperoni and cheese are always the crowd pleasers. Hawaiian can often be found in the mix, but it’s usually avoided by Photo by Analyn Cuarto a many. Most people passionately defend their pineapple pizza choice, but they're still wrong. They're in the minority, but they’re just quite vocal about it. It may bea personal choice, but pineapple does not, fundamentally, belong on a pizza. Fruit in general does not belong on a savoury dinner menu item featuring meats and cheeses. You wouldn't put pineapple on a hamburger or alongside some bacon, either. Very few innovative or inventive pizzas contain pineapple. Late-night pizza places that sell by the slice rarely have more than one kind of pie containing an actual fruit on the top. Just as strawberries or bananas aren't found on pizza, adding pineapple juices to the blend of flavours is just plain wrong. Stop shaming people for their diets > Don’t make others’ food choices your business Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor Perr are diverse in their diet choices, perhaps now more than ever before. Food allergies, religious beliefs, and concern for the environment or animal welfare all play a part in what we choose to eat. Particularly in urban areas, increased choice in groceries and restaurants has made it easier than ever to follow a diet different from the cultural norm. Almost as common as alternative diets are the stigmas and jokes that go along with them. Anyone who eats differently can tell you stories of people failing to understand, judging, or joking about their food choices. Extremely smug meat-eaters mock vegetarians and vegans about their personal convictions. Many diets are based on moral beliefs. But it’s not just a concern for animal welfare, Muslims, Jews, and some Christians all have dietary restrictions based on their religious teachings. Questioning what someone else eats and challenging their moral values is not likely to end well for either of you. Criticizing a deeply- held personal belief is very, very unlikely to change someone’s mind, and makes you look intolerant. It has always blown my mind that anyone would care about what others eat. Many of these critics also suddenly become nutritional experts, and start questioning how someone gets all their protein. They may also fail to understand the concept of adapting to modern society, saying things like Illustration by Ed Appleby “If we aren't meant to eat animals, then why are they made of meat?” (Humans are also edible and made of meat, but cannibalism is generally discouraged in most places today.) Although many question someone’s diet solely because they’re smug about their own personal choices, some do it out of genuine concern for the person’s health. This still stems from a place of ignorance, as a variety of diets can be healthy or unhealthy. Some meat-eaters eat incredibly nutritious, balanced meals that follow the recommended food pyramid. Some vegans eat incredibly unhealthy food full of preservatives and fats. Junk food and unhealthy meals are not limited to one type of diet. It is personally insulting someone when you question their diet, because you are suggesting they are not capable of making healthy choices for their own body. Nutritionists—people with actual education about food—are divided on certain diets, particularly newer concepts that have been recently introduced. The gluten-free trend continues to be debated. Nevertheless, it is agreed that trying a certain diet rarely hurts the body, as long as one continues to get their nutrients from other sources. Regardless of the actual validity of anyone’s diet, it is none of your business. Food choices are very personal and an essential part of everyone's identity. Diets vary widely for cultural, religious, moral, and health reasons. Questioning what someone eats will not lead to them making different choices, nor will it make you look good in any way. Simply put: don’t do it.