Another one of my favorite sources for perspectives on food and nutrition, in addition to Marion Nestle's website, is The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine.
This week they have once again brought to the surface the extreme politics behind the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans with this stark image:
You can read more about it here: Breaking News! USDA Replaces Food Pyramid with MyPlate | PCRM.org.
Keep in mind that the vast majority of grains produced in this country end up on our plates in the form of highly processed, nutrient-devoid substances resembling food. The government secretly, or not so secretly, hopes these are the grain products we will purchase and consume when they tell us to "eat more grains." Ironically, the minimally processed grains that are actually good for us have far smaller profit margins and are therefore produced in far smaller quantities resulting in higher cost to consumers. Though that interpretation of cost depends on how the cost is calculated. If one considers the true end cost, including the dollars spent on healthcare to treat diet-related diseases, then the choice is a no-brainer.
Just imagine how the collective health of the country might look if the government was putting our tax dollars toward subsidizing produce growers instead of the meat and dairy industries, as well as the production of the sugar and oil that go into the processed foods this country is consuming by the bushels.
Instead our government prefers to ride the merry-go-round of promoting the production of disease- and obesity-causing foods which then contribute to the billions of dollars that must be funneled into our healthcare system to treat diet-related conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. What's wrong with this picture? Nothing if you raise cattle, corn, or are a top exec at a health insurance company.
I feel a little bit about this blog the way I feel about photo albums: I have so many thoughts/pictures to file, I don't know where to start. Shall I start with today and move forward in an organized manner or shall I go back and rush through the old stuff until I am up-to-date? Being a Type A personality with a B Student mentality, I will attempt to do both at once and be satisfied with a certain degree of mediocrity.
A Few Words...
What is written here is my opinion and personal experience only. I am not qualified to give advice - medical, legal, or otherwise. Please be responsible and do your own research regarding treatments, diets, doctors, and alternative therapies.
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