Robert F. Kennedy, Jr,, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, released his first comprehensive report in the state of children’s health in America. Though the report is lengthy at 70 pages, it carefully details the reason for decline in children’s health in the US. The declines are reflected in increases in childhood obesity, Type iI diabetes, cancer, allergies, autoimmune disorders, and ADHA and autism.
If you read the full report, , you will see that the threats to children’s health are also threats to your own health.
I hope you will take the time to read it, or at least scan through it. From a food perspective, the main culprits are ultra processed foods and chemical additives. Other factors are chronic stress, overuse of technology and decreasing physical activity.
How did we get here?
There are many reasons, but to me the most compelling reason is because of the powerful influence special interest groups exert on Congressional regulators and the disproportionate amount of spending on research on the part of government vs. the pharmaceutical, agricultural and chemical industries. Many studies are funded by industries that have a vested interest in their outcome.
What happens when you speak out?
Challenges to ultra processed foods filter down to your local neighborhood. Some twenty years ago I wrote a piece for our local paper about the potential harm caused by frequent consumption of high fructose corn syrup. Shortly thereafter I received a 12 page document from the National Corn Growers Association strongly suggesting that my statements were unfounded and that high fructose corn syrup was perfectly healthy. I still stand by my position, and the continuing decline in US health is evidence of it. Of note: This same organization quickly reacted to RFK’s report with strong denials of harm from chemicals.
What can you do?
While it may seem complicated, the solution to keeping you and your loved ones safe and healthy when it comes to food is very simple. Eat real food. As noted in my book Food Becomes You - Simple Steps for Lifelong Wellness, you need to choose fresh foods that come in their original forms. To name a few, that means, whole grains like whole oats and brown rice, kidney beans, split peas, lentils, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, eggs, vinegars, olive oil, seafood, meats and poultry without added growth hormones or antibiotics, and filtered water.
If you are able to get most of your food from this list, you can relax and enjoy occasional indulgences like good quality ice cream, home made cookies, and dinner out.
To get started, next time you do a grocery shop, see if you can refrain from any packaged cereal, crackers, soda and cookies or chips. If that’s too much to give up at once, choose one or two of these. Replace your boxed cereals with whole oats, Greek yogurt and fruit, or a poached egg. Replace crackers with carrot sticks to pair with hummus. Shift from soda to water or tea. Make your own cookies and switch out chips for salty nuts or popcorn.
Change comes slowly.
Our bodies are very adaptable and over these past decades when our food supply changed so dramatically, it was hard to notice how it changed the way our bodies feel. Having a little acid burn after eating might be your new normal. You may blame it on your age. But once you begin eating real food, you will see it’s not your age. You will begin to feel better. You can create a new normal for yourself.
As more people return to a healthier way of eating, farmers will be forced to respond by providing cleaner healthier foods. Changing how food is delivered to you and your community is possible and is the only way to reverse this troubling vision of the future.
What will you do nutritionally to make your health and the health of your loved ones better?