Dr Oz - you are only half right

For those that haven't read the Dr. Oz Time's article about "how to eat for the 99%", let me summarize:

1. We all know that whole foods are better than processed foods

2. But let's get real... hardworking parents (single and not) - just don't have the time or money to eat grocery store organic and cook from scratch

3. And anyways, organic really doesn't mean anything... CAFO eggs and milk and grain fed beef are NUTRITIONALLY EQUIVALENT to those that are raised on natural, healthy diets in the sunshine and not stuffed with antibiotics, ammonia, arsenic, hormones and other such things. *Food snobs are so silly paying all that money for NOTHING.

4. So, don't feel bad about canned or frozen foods - you aren't losing any nutrients anyway versus fresh.

5. Nutrition, by the way, should be evaluated by a food's calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium. And unnatural chemical additives like MSG and preservatives (but not pesticides or GMOs). 

6. Oh, and everybody needs ice cream sometimes... why deprive you or your children of such great treats??

Now, I have taken liberties in "summarizing" the points of the articles and you may or may not believe the research I reference throughout this article is reliable. When I research evidence I usually look at the source and prevalence of articles that support the conclusion. Some of my sources are seemingly biased (Mother Earth News) because that most likely was the only study completed. If there were multiple sources, I chose one to represent the many. I understand there are many conflicting research conclusions in the agricultural-science space and my philosophy is to always do your own research and make your own conclusions. The following article represents MY conclusions.

So, let's begin at the top. (Before I begin, bear with me… points 2 and 3 are labored but 1,4,5,6 are simple one-paragraph remarks)

1. Whole foods > processed foods

No argument here - processed foods... sweeteners, colors, preservatives, flavorings - I don't think there is a single person who would argue that the box of Hamburger Helper or Trix cereal or pop tarts or the like are better for you than a home cooked meal.

2. Average working family (or just lower income family) does not have time/money to stick to a sustainable, whole foods diet

A partially agree. At some level, there are parents that don't have time to cook/clean. Don't have access to whole foods. However, ONE, I don't believe this is the 99%. This is the 16% living below the poverty line. Arguably, this figure is understated because we all know the poverty line is defined by the government, and often claimed to be too low. Frighteningly, this figure could be as high as 50% if you use the measure of 200% of this poverty line. However, studies regarding food insecurity suggest only 6-15% of the population is food insecure.

So, yes, these households exist, and definitely should be educated that even canned/frozen/conventional produce, imported and farmed fish and low-fat CAFO animal products (yep, I believe CAFO animal fats are to be avoided except for minimal amounts for nutritional purposes) are certainly better options than fast food fare and meals-in-a-box.

But, how many middle class friends/families can you picture right now that certainly have time for TV, video games, social networking, etc. and complain that there isn't 30 minutes in a day for cooking a healthy meal - especially in a day and age when the tv can be magically transported into the kitchen? Who can't spend a couple hours on the weekend preparing meals for the week and shopping for real food? How many have a hefty cable package, large flat screen tv, brand name clothes, the newest phone... but can't imagine spending a couple more hundred dollars a month to nourish their bodies and their children? By the way... I say this not in judgment but to challenge you to think about this. I am certainly not holier than thou as I have been known to put off cooking one weekend to veg out and watch some all-day football (on my flat screen tv). I don't have children. And I am extremely fortunate to live in a place where I have access to reasonably-priced, high-quality convenience foods for when I don't have time to cook. So don't think I am not equally scrutinizing of myself. But we all know it is easier to just say "it's too hard" than to figure out how to make changes to your routine.

Also, maybe you don't believe in organic... but surely you believe in HEALTH? We all want it - we all know how it feels to be sick or under the weather. We all fear developing heart disease, Alzheimer's, or some other chronic disease. We all are already paying large amounts in medical bills or health insurance (the increasing poverty rate is not just joblessness, but medical bills: more than 60% of personal bankruptcies are due to medical bills; 16% of income goes to health care costs and oh, by the way, lower income people are often on more medications than the rest of the population). The effort it takes to transition off unhealthy processed foods to whole foods is worth it, organic or not.

And for those that are economically disadvantaged - should the message REALLY be to rely on the commercial food system? Or should it be self-reliance. Growing your own food when possible. Engaging your children to help cook and clean. Finding community networks that enable those with more time to lend a hand to those who don't have it, share cooking and prep knowledge and tools, etc. I engage in community food share and bulk buying clubs (where you pool in with a group of people to order food and household products to get the bulk discount when you can't afford to buy bulk up front). Often some people make way too much of something and can offer it to others in the community. I think these self-reliant and community-based systems should be urged alongside or instead of depending on a food system currently challenged by drought (and climate change); reliant on pharmaceuticals (80% of antibiotics in US goes to animal production), food subsidies (corn/soy = cheap animal feed - not to mention junk food sweeteners) and cheap oil (transportation, fertilizers, etc.); and slowly polluting the air and water.

3. Organic is a meaningless label and a great way to charge food snobs a premium (yes, my paraphrasing liberties reaching here)

Well, to some companies, sure, it is. Many organic brands are now quite large and often owned by large non-organic corporations. 72% of organic food sales in 2008 were from farms that reported half a million or more in income.

However, I think supermarket purchasing is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than sourcing directly from a handful of local small farmers and backyard growers in your community. For example, when I buy from my local farmers, I know about their land and labor, I talk to them about their spouses and children or latest vacation (and they ask about mine), ask them questions about growing food, etc. I see who takes my money - no middleman. I get to see the pride in their face as they sell me the fruits of their hard labor and the satisfaction on my face when accepting their goods - harvested only that day or the day before. I know that they are investing in their business by baby-ing their soil and feeding it nutrients that will make it and its products healthier, stronger, resistant to disease and predatory insects - leaving it better than it was before planting - many do so because they began farming or homesteading to feed their children healthy produce. And often, I pay quite a small premium for this. If you haven't had the opportunity to feel the satisfaction of such a transaction, I highly urge you to do so. There is NO comparison to hauling around a cart through crowded aisles, waiting in loud lines and having a wholly isolated and lonely and impersonal shopping experience.

But let's say you don't have a local market or farmer or otherwise community-centered buying experience... you have a local supermarket that sources organic food. If you don't particularly care much about protecting soil for long-term growing viability (and nutrient retention), water contamination, animal handling practices, or buy into the idea that pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones might be harmful to your body... well, then organics might not be for you. These are the real reasons people purchase organic foods. And honestly, supermarket organics don't necessarily guarantee you any of these things as certain pesticides are approved for use in organic foods and large impersonal corporations may very well treat their products and people and the environment in the same fashion as any enormous for-profit group.

With two exceptions: grass fed beef and eggs. No, Dr. Oz, grass fed beef is NOT nutritionally equivalent to grain fed and CAFO eggs are absolutely different than those from pastured chickens.

A study examining research from three decades(published in 2010 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information) concluded that compared to grain-fed beef, grass-fed has a more favorable cholesterol profile, more CLA, a better Omega 3-to-6 ratio, more Vitamin A and E, and more cancer-fighting anti-oxidants. It also is leaner – wait, isn’t that what Dr. Oz was preaching for in the first place? Why doesn’t he mention this?

http://www.americangrassfedbeef.com/grass-fed-natural-beef.asp

Additionally, pastured eggs have been tested and shown that compared to commercial eggs they contain: 1/3 less cholesterol, ¼ less saturated fat, 2/3 more Vitamin A, 2 times more Omega 3, 3 times more Vitamin E, and 7 times more beta carotene. Notice any similarities in the grass fed vs grain fed beef analysis??

Overall, however, I sadly concede that supermarket organic produce is more likely than not quite different than purchasing sustainably-grown produce from small, local farms. And if you aren't concerned with animal welfare, water/air pollution from industrial animal production, or the presence of hormones/antibiotics in your food, then there is little benefit found in the organic premium you pay at the grocery store. 

4. Canned and frozen food nutrients are equivalent to/better than fresh
Well, research appears to support this conclusion. Fresh foods lose nutrients faster than canned/frozen and therefore, if you can’t get freshly-harvested produce on a regular basis (such as your own backyard or various farmers market throughout the week), then canned and frozen are a great alternative – as long as you follow the Oz’s advice to avoid those with high sodium content and additives. When you think about how long whole produce is stored and in transit before making it to your grocer’s shelf, well, perhaps canned and frozen are the right choices after all.

5. Nutritional merits should be evaluated by sodium, fat and caloric content

Well, we know that this is not a statement to live by. Our bodies are complex and require a range of minerals, nutrients and caloric inputs for nourishment. Everybody is different and therefore daily dietary needs will vary. I do not believe in a low-calorie, low-fat diet. Often, this restricts very important nutrients that your body needs. I also personally avoid chemicals, genetically-modified, and non-whole “foods”. On this note, I say do your own research and listen to your body. But please don’t rely on the government and mainstream media to tell you how to eat.

6. Sweet treats are an entitlement and important part of life

Well, if this isn’t a testament to sugar addiction and a culture that believes happiness can be achieved through personal indulgence, I don’t know what is. Look, I am a product of this culture and indulge myself from time to time (well, actually, I feel like I indulge every day that I eat delicious wholesome food), but I can tell you I don’t crave sugar or feel like I can’t go through life without it on a regular basis. Between fruit, milk, sweet potatoes, raw honey in my tea and dark chocolate, I get my fill of sweet stuff.

But back to the point, I have two problems with this philosophy:

One, the belief that living without a particular food (or how about any one material good or “treat”) is inherently cruel is unhealthy. Instead, I believe we should count our blessings that we have the means and opportunity to indulge from time to time.

Two, creating a connection with food to a “comfort” or happy memory (as Dr. Oz claims his connection to ice cream comes from a weekly one-on-one visit with his dad) can lead us down a dangerous path where we turn to food to elevate our mood, leading to over-indulgence.

The biggest takeaway is that we should encourage small, regional, TRANSPARENT, community-based agricultural systems. A food system that doesn't depend on chemicals or drugs, and relies less on transportation. Where animals and the environment are treated respectfully. Where the hardworking farmer is paid a fair market price for a fair product. Where ALL individuals, regardless of income, have access to healthier foods - if they so choose to consume them. And where despite what food you decide to consume, you don't have a label.

Overall, I am truly blessed to live in a community that has access to local, sustainable foodstuffs, a kitchen with which to prepare wholesome meals for my family, a supportive husband and the time to plan, shop and execute our dietary lifestyle without too much stress. And if you think this is due to luck or privilege alone, I can assure you I know firsthand (and sympathize with) the effort and sacrifice and redistribution of priorities that eating local and sustainable requires. It is what has fueled my passion to start this blog – with the hopes that my experiences and knowledge may help ease the burden for someone else – and that by advocating for and facilitating a community food model, we can work together to achieve healthy lives and planets despite their modern inconvenience.