"True healthcare reform starts in your kitchen, not in Washington. - Anon"
First let's define reform - to put or change into an improved form or condition, to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses, to put an end to "an evil" by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action.
I honestly believe that healthcare costs wouldn't be so high or so needed if people took better care of their bodies. One of the easiest ways to take care of your body is to watch what you put into it! The correlation between what we eat and the diseases we (as people) have are astounding. Let's use children as an example.
Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and adolescents (2-19 yrs old) has almost tripled. This is no surprise when you factor in the rise of fast food chains and the convenience of unhealthy, but good tasting, food. There are additives that are put in food that literally cause you to become addicted and to keep coming back for more. Reliance on fast food, processed snacks and sugary drinks are killing us.
With the rise in childhood obesity, there has also been a rise in diseases and other problems among children... diabetes, asthma, emotional and social problems. Being an overweight child increases the chances of being an overweight adult, which in turn increases the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart problems.
If we eat healthier, we can (in the long run) begin to reverse the rise of these conditions, which in turn will reduce the amount of healthcare and medication we need. In my opinion, the best way to start is definitely in your kitchen.. and with our children.
I have more on my mind related to this, but not enough time right this moment lol So, until the next post.. thanks for reading =)
I completely agree with that quote! Another one I love is "Food can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison". I started eating clean (cutting out processed foods, no refined sugars, refined grains, and all organics) about six months ago, and it's the best thing I've ever done. My digestive system is better and I haven't gotten sick... I even avoided the winter flu/cold. I'm a huge advocate of food as medicine!
ReplyDeleteI won't sit and preach about it too much b/c I still make some 'wrong' choices where food is concerned, BUT I am on the right track. Eating more fruits and veggies, less meat, especially fatty meat, cutting out soda and sugary drinks (except for my coffee, but I have cut that back as well)... I'm noticing a difference in my kids too. They aren't overweight by any means, but their energy levels have increased as well and their attitudes are much much better!
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