Dr. Jessica Knurick (a nutrition scientist and dietician) was on the Prof G podcast this week where she was asked what needs to be done to improve people’s health related to food. Her response went something like this:
Since the 1950’s, the US agriculture industry has prioritized generating profits over creating and supplying healthy, nutritious food to consumers. Today, more than 75% of most people’s food is ultra-processed. It is made with the cheapest ingredients possible, with additives and preservatives to make it more appealing and increase the shelf life. The poor suffer the worst with inadequate access and insufficient money to purchase fresh, whole food. They also suffer from a lack of preventative medical care and education due to unaffordability.
We need to prioritize the health and well being of poor people over the profits of corporations. The government should regulate the food industry to favor caring for the poor over maximing profits.
Keep dreaming. That’s not gonna happen.
The US already has a policy regarding helping the poor. It follows the same pattern of how those with power & wealth have always treated poor people.
Like all proposed societal solutions that instruct someone else to take action, her solution sounds good, but is simply a fantasy:
- We should…
- They should…
- The government should…
- Corporations should
- The wealthy should
As much as I’d like to see the government help solve this problem, it won’t. It’s up to individuals and maybe, small groups of individuals to solve it for themselves.
I liked Dr. Knurick’s recommended solutions for diet, exercise and general health:
- Eat more whole foods.
- Walk more and be more active.
- Limit consumption of ultra-processed foods (which, by definition are less nutritious).
- Employ healthy behaviors to limit chronic disease and health problems.
However, I am not an idealist, I’m a pragmatist. Instead of waiting for society to change, my approach is to make these changes on your own. After all, you are already on your own anyway.