Obesity is a an epidemic that is running rampant in our country. Even with growing passion towards being fit, lean, and eating organic, statistics tell us that Americans are in trouble, especially our youth.
One study found that approximately 80% of children who are overweight at age 10–15 years will become obese adults by age 25 years. And no, this can’t be excused by being “big boned” or even by heredity. This epidemic is a direct result of how we eat and the way we correlate food and health.
As an example, chocolate milk may contain calcium and other vitamins and minerals but unfortunately, that does not make it healthy. Especially for young children who are drinking it two and three times a day with their meals. An 8oz container of chocolate milk can have up to 30g of sugar (more than a soda), multiply that by 3 and this child has well exceeded the amount of sugar a child (or any healthy adult) needs in a day. Combine that with the fried, fatty foods many children are eating with their chocolate milk and you have a recipe for disaster.. diabetes, heart disease, obesity… And the flavored milk debate goes beyond the sugar. There is the excessive fat and calories, the added hormones, and most importantly, the facade that milk (and other dairy) is the only way to obtain calcium.
To reverse the epidemic, there has to be a change in our relationship with food. We can’t be fooled by marketing and advertising that attempts to convince us that “healthy” options at fast food restaurants are good for us. To put it plainly, anything that comes from a fast food restaurant is not good for you.
And don’t all you skinny people out there think you are off the hook! Your bodies are just as at risk for disease even if you manage to avoid carrying around the extra pounds. Without a clear warning signal — like a rounder middle — thin people may be lulled into falsely assuming that because they’re not overweight, they’re healthy.
We have to get back to the basics. Real, clean, minimally processed, and freshly prepared food that our bodies will thank us for. Fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats, and a realistic balance of treats that are eaten sparingly.
Any form of change is difficult and often uncomfortable. Maria Robinson said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
One man has set out with a vision to change the way we view food and to teach Americans, among others, how to improve their relationship with food. His name is Jamie Oliver and his mission is the Food Revolution.
About Food Revolution:
This Food Revolution is about saving America’s health by changing the way people eat. It’s not just a TV show; it’s a movement for you, your family and your community. If you care about your kids and their future, take this revolution and make it your own. Educate yourself about food and cooking, and find out what your child is eating at school. Make only a few small changes and magical things will happen. Switching from processed to fresh food will not only make you feel better, it will also add years to your life. (www.jamieoliver.com)
Jamie’s Food philosophy:
My philosophy to food and healthy eating has always been about enjoying everything in a balanced, and sane way. Food is one of life’s greatest joys yet we’ve reached this really sad point where we’re turning food into the enemy, and something to be afraid of. I believe that when you use good ingredients to make pasta dishes, salads, stews, burgers, grilled vegetables, fruit salads, and even outrageous cakes, they all have a place in our diets. We just need to rediscover our common sense: if you want to curl up and eat macaroni and cheese every once in a while – that’s alright! Just have a sensible portion next to a fresh salad, and don’t eat a big old helping of chocolate cake afterwards.
Knowing how to cook means you’ll be able to turn all sorts of fresh ingredients into meals when they’re in season, at their best, and cheapest! Cooking this way will always be cheaper than buying processed food, not to mention better for you. And because you’ll be cooking a variety of lovely things, you’ll naturally start to find a sensible balance. Some days you’ll feel like making something light, and fresh, other days you’ll want something warming and hearty. If you’ve got to snack between meals, try to go for something healthy rather than loading up on chocolate or potato crisps. Basically, as long as we all recognize that treats should be treats, not a daily occurrence, we’ll be in a good place. So when I talk about having a ‘healthy’ approach to food, and eating better I’m talking about achieving that sense of balance: lots of the good stuff, loads of variety, and the odd indulgence every now and then. (www.jamieoliver.com)
Get on board with the Food Revolution today! http://www.jamiesfoodrevolution.com
“The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives”
William James