Since finding out I had anemia and liver disease, I’ve had to learn a lot about nutrition and how to maximize the nutritional content my foods. One way I do that is by buying higher quality ingredients. Basically, foods the way they used to be, before commercialization and factory product techniques.
I always thought the fancy foods were for the “food snobs.” But it turns out, it was really just about access. They could afford better quality ingredients, and had more guidance in their health journey than most Americans. I had no idea how much I DIDN’T know. I was clueless.
And the saddest part is, I had “guidance.” I had access to a diabetic nutritionist, but was never given the correct information and resources to be successful. I was never able to reverse my type two diabetes, even though, most people are completely capable of doing this with the right nutrients, daily exercise, and rest.
If you’re struggling with diet and exercise right now, please know it’s not your fault that nothing’s working. Our food quality has changed dramatically in recent decades. For example, whole grain bread USED to be healthy. Now you have to read the labels to scan for information about its processing and sneaky additives. You also apparently have to pay double or triple the price of “regular bread” for it.
Another example is buying baby food thinking that it’s safe, but later finding out that it’s contaminated with lead and that batch testing baby foods for heavy metals isn’t even mandatory. Currently, there are no FDA guidelines to protect our children from contaminated baby foods. 🫠
FROM GOOGLE:
No, companies were not required to test baby food for lead in the past, and some still don’t do so:
- No FDA requirement: The FDA doesn’t require companies to test finished baby food products for toxic heavy metals, such as lead.
- No maximum levels: The FDA doesn’t have maximum levels for toxic heavy metals in baby food.
- No reporting requirement: The FDA doesn’t require companies to report toxic heavy metal levels on food labels.
So, understand… it’s not your fault that your foods aren’t what you believed they are. It is the fault of the commercial food industry and our government who isn’t holding them accountable.
Most Americans are trying their best to be healthy, but our government is failing us. I mean, our food industry presents “healthy choices” to us every day, that aren’t actually as healthy as we’d hope they are.It’s sad, but as we’ve started adding nutrition labels to food, ultra processed food companies have gotten more and more sneaky in how they describe their ingredients in order to confuse consumers. And sadly, not enough is being done to prevent this.
We shouldn’t have to be this extremely aware and educated about our ingredients in order to stay healthy and avoid obesity, diabetes, metabolic conditions, autoimmune disease, and cardiovascular issues. But sadly, we have no choice, because the government powers that be, aren’t doing enough to protect consumers from food fraud. Allowing companies to sell us the LOWEST quality foods with the most ridiculous health claims and at ridiculous prices.
All we can do at this point is educate ourselves as much as possible and avoid harmful foods or learn to eat them in ways that don’t compromise our health.
Another thing you can do is to VOTE for candidates that advocate for changes that create better health outcomes for your community. Like having nutrition levels that let shoppers know just how healthy a food is for them in one glance, like what Germany is doing on their packaging.
Germany adds a Nutri-Score designation to all of their food products to help shopper distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods, so they can make informed choices about what they want to eat.
It’s ok to have unhealthy foods sometimes, like enjoying a few oreos, but the problem is that MOST American foods are loaded with unhealthy, ultra-processed ingredients and devoid of nutrients and fiber… and WE HAVE NO IDEA.
It’s estimated that 60-90% of ALL foods on American grocery store shelves are ultra-processed foods and ingredients (Source 1, Source 2). Which unfortunately, greatly impacts nutrition and overall health greatly.
We don’t know how unhealthy the foods we’re consuming actually are. I know I didn’t. And as a result, I have gotten obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and fatty liver disease. And because I THOUGHT I was eating pretty healthy, I had no idea how to reverse it.
Once I learned about insulin resistance and the whole foods diet, everything changed (click to read more about how I lost over 70lbs in the past year).
But I’m learning and that’s something I have to be proud of, because my kids will have a better life than me. They’ll know a lot more than me too. And hopefully avoid some of the health issues I’m dealing with and trying to reverse now.
One of the things I’m teaching them is about the quality of ingredients. For example, did you know all oats are not the same? I know the experts will say all oats have the same nutritional content, but while that statement is factually correct, it’s contextually wrong. The type of oats that you eat matters. Especially for diabetics.
Rolled oats and quick oats, which are processed and ultra processed foods, digest much faster and will cause blood sugar spikes, which is one of the most harmful conditions for your health.
But, there is a way to lessen this problem by using steel cut oats (cooked or soaked) and adding more soluble fiber, like using fresh berries, chia seeds, or other foods high in soluble fiber, to help your oatmeal digest more slowly and prevent blood sugar spikes. You can also add proteins like unsweetened Greek yogurt and healthy fats like nuts and seeds to lower blood sugar spikes even more.
If you’re eating processed oats, like rolled oats, or ultra processed oats, like quick oats, you should be adding fiber, protein, and omega3 fats to your bowl every time you eat them.
This is why it’s so important to eat a balanced diet that countains complex carbohydrates (high in fiber), lean or omega3 proteins, and healthy (omega3) fats. I always heard a balanced diet is good for you, but nobody ever explained what that really meant or why it matters. I thought balanced, nutritious meals were a luxury. And that is just one mistake I’m unlearning with my kids.
I mean, if nutrition was really that important, healthy foods should be accessible to EVERYONE… SHOULDN’T THEY???
THEY SHOULD BE.
And it’s very disheartening to know that the government knows EXACTLY why nutrition matters so much and isn’t doing enough to protect Americans from confusing food labels, food deserts, or providing real, whole foods in every community.
Again, consider how you vote in your local and state elections. Who you vote for can and does impact decisions about food health and safety.
