Gloria Swanson, the name conjures images of Norma Desmond, the faded silent film star in "Sunset Boulevard." However, Swanson's real life was a stark contrast to the delusional character she portrayed. A pioneer of healthy living, she embraced macrobiotic diets, abstained from alcohol, tobacco, and excessive sugar, and lived a life far removed from the past.
From Soldier's Daughter to Silent Screen Icon
Born into humble beginnings as the daughter of a Lutheran soldier, Gloria Swanson ascended to become one of the brightest stars of the 1920s. Despite her petite stature of barely five feet, she possessed striking features and an innate charisma that made her the epitome of Jazz Age glamour. Her collaborations with Cecil B. DeMille solidified her status as a fashion icon and a box office draw.
The Seeds of a Healthy Lifestyle
By 1927, Swanson had joined United Artists and embarked on a passionate affair with Joseph Kennedy. It was during the production of "Queen Kelly," a project plagued by financial difficulties, that Swanson's interest in healthy living ignited. She quipped, "I thought I had ulcers because if you are a producer, you are supposed to have ulcers." Seeking relief, she consulted a doctor who inquired about her dietary habits. The doctor challenged her to visualize placing all the food she had consumed the previous night into a pail and then asked which animal would consume it.
This experience marked a turning point for Swanson, transforming her into a self-proclaimed "health food nut." She became an advocate for brown rice, using it to create flour, and embraced macrobiotic diets and raw foods. She believed in steaming her oatmeal and grains to preserve their nutritional value, sourced spring water from France, made her sugar from boiling organic raisins, and extolled the virtues of frequent fasting.
A New Age Aunt in a Turban
After leaving Hollywood in the early 1930s, Swanson became a prominent figure in the health and wellness movement. With her signature turban adorned with ostrich feathers and diamonds, she preached the benefits of yoga and clean living. She fearlessly confronted strangers indulging in junk food and carried brown bag lunches and thermoses of soup to social events.
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A Chance Encounter and a Lasting Union
Swanson's commitment to healthy living even played a role in her sixth and most fulfilling marriage. At a press conference, she witnessed William Dufty, a young writer, consuming a sugar cube. Approaching him, she declared, "That stuff is poison. I won't have it in my house, let alone my body." Ten years later, Dufty, now slim and healthy, appeared at her doorstep to express his gratitude for her transformative influence.
In 1975, Dufty penned the best-selling book "Sugar Blues," which condemned refined sugar as an addictive substance. Together, Swanson and Dufty embarked on a nationwide tour to promote the book's message. They befriended John Lennon and Yoko Ono, with Swanson even testifying on Lennon's behalf during his immigration hearing.
Swanson's Culinary Creations
Swanson's dedication to healthy eating extended to her culinary creations. She developed recipes that prioritized whole, unprocessed ingredients and minimized sugar and unhealthy fats.
Gloria Swanson's Butterless Devil's Food Cake
This recipe offers a healthier twist on a classic dessert, using unsweetened chocolate powder and minimizing sugar.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups unsweetened chocolate powder
- 1 cup milk
- 4 eggs, separated
- 1.5 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1.5 cups sugar
- Icing or jam
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Dissolve chocolate in warmed milk and let cool.
- Beat egg yolks with sugar, then add to the chocolate mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking powder, then gradually add to the chocolate mixture.
- Whip egg whites until stiff and gently fold into the chocolate mixture.
- Divide the batter between two cake pans and bake for 45 minutes.
- Let cool slightly, then turn out onto cooling trays.
- Once the cake is cold, sandwich the layers together with icing or jam.
Gloria Swanson's Potassium Broth
Swanson believed in the cleansing power of potassium broth, which she consumed regularly.
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Ingredients:
- 1 cup string beans, chopped
- 1 cup outer green stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 cup zucchini, chopped
- A few leaves of Swiss chard, chopped
- Water
Instructions:
- Wash the vegetables thoroughly.
- For every 2 cups of water, add 1 cup of chopped vegetables. (Swanson preferred spring water.)
- Cover and cook in a pot, preferably a pressure cooker, until the celery is tender.
- Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Drain the liquid into a container, cover, and refrigerate.
- Drink the broth every few hours, hot or cold.
Double Corn Soup
This recipe, featured in "Sugar Blues," showcases Swanson's emphasis on whole, unprocessed ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 2 chopped onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 4 cups water
- Tamari to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté onions with olive oil until browned.
- Add cornmeal and stir.
- Slowly add water, ensuring the mixture maintains a gravy-like consistency.
- Season with tamari to taste.
The Dangers of Sugar: Swanson's Crusade
Swanson was a staunch critic of refined sugar, viewing it as a dangerous and addictive substance. She believed that the refining process stripped away the beneficial components of plants, leaving behind a concentrated dose of sucrose that wreaked havoc on the body.
She argued that refined sugar led to rapid digestion, leaving individuals feeling hungry sooner. In contrast, naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables, and natural syrups were accompanied by fiber and vitamins that aided digestion and regulated insulin levels.
Swanson's views aligned with those of William Dufty, who dedicated a significant portion of "Sugar Blues" to the assertion that sugar was an addictive substance, drawing parallels to the withdrawal symptoms experienced by drug addicts.
A Pioneer in Nutritional Awareness
Swanson's advocacy for healthy eating was often met with skepticism and resistance. In a 1978 television appearance on "Not For Women Only," she faced a panel of experts who challenged her claims about the harmful effects of refined sugar and the benefits of organic and natural foods.
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Despite the criticism, Swanson remained steadfast in her beliefs, arguing that tampering with food diminished its nutritional value. She called for clearer labeling of food products to empower consumers to make informed choices.
Swanson's Legacy: A Lasting Impact
Gloria Swanson's commitment to healthy living extended beyond her personal choices. She actively promoted nutritional awareness through lectures, writings, and political activism. She testified before Congress, advocating for stricter regulations on food additives.
Her dedication was recognized by Congressman James J. Delaney in 1958, who commended her for her role in enacting new food additive legislation. Swanson proudly displayed the letter of recognition in her apartment until her death.
Gloria Swanson died in 1983 at the age of 84.
The Rise of Fad Diets and Nutritional Gurus
Swanson's era also saw the emergence of various fad diets and nutritional gurus, each promising health, weight loss, and longevity. Gayelord Hauser, a self-taught nutritionist, gained popularity in Hollywood by advocating for his "five wonder foods": brewer's yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ, skim milk, and yogurt.
Hauser's approach involved eliminating white sugar, white flour, and processed foods while emphasizing whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. While some of his advice was questionable, he contributed to raising awareness about the potential health risks of the processed American diet.
The Vegan Journey: A Modern Perspective
The text also touches upon the modern vegan movement and the challenges of raising children in a food culture saturated with processed foods and sugary treats. It highlights the importance of educating children about nutrition and empowering them to make healthy choices.