January 2015 - Question 2
Question 2: If the food supply produced the quantity and variety of food that would allow every American to purchase food to meet their nutritional needs as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, do you think they would? If not, what are the barriers that would prevent this from happening and what could dietitians do to help people overcome these barriers?
posted by Unknown @ 2:19 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
Sadly I do not think all Americans are willing to meet the Dietary Guidelines because we have acquired an unhealthy taste for fast food and processed foods. Also, the fast paced lifestyle limits home cooked balanced meals. However, if the unhealthy foods were harder to access and the healthy foods were made more available I think significant changes could be seen. Dietitians can educate Americans about how to make quick balanced meals and how to choose alternatives to unhealthy choices. Also, enlightening people about the benefits of eating healthy, the complications of obesity and poor nutrition related diseases, and how to improve their overall health will help make a positive impact. Every setting whether it be in the hospital or at the grocery store, dietitians can give people the nutrition knowledge to make changes.
Similar to Haley, it saddens me to report that I don't think that all Americans would adapt a diet as recommended by the DGA's even if there was enough accessible and affordable food to allow 100% of Americans to do so. Also like Haley said, many Americans have acquired a taste for processed foods. I was actually just talking to a buddy a few days ago and he basically said that he just can't kick fast food to the curb. He claimed that when it cooks at home, it just doesn't taste the same and that he prefers food like Taco Bell, Burger King and all that. Even when he grocery shops, he just buys things like chips and frozen food (Jimmy Dean's breakfast sandwiches and stuff) I think part of it is the convenience factor but, like Haley said, there may be some truth to people acquiring a taste for the processed, high-sodium foods. Additionally, drive thru windows are very tempting and in this fast paced world seem like the best option for many.
Like I said in my previous post, I really believe the key is education. We need to provide the path for our customers and patients, and they need to put the key in the ignition and drive. Knowledge is power! During clinicals, I had the chance to perform quite a few CHF (low sodium) educations and we really focused on quick and easy low sodium meals and a diet focusing on whole foods naturally low(er) in sodium. By the time someone is an inpatient with heart failure, they've probably (but not always!) already experienced the complications of an unhealthy diet so it's our job to be non-judgmental and just focus on what we can do to better their future. This career is just to exciting, and the chance to make such a difference in people's lives through nutrition education is more than enough to put a big smile on this Packer fan's face.
Haley, I really like your point about how our goal is the same no matter the setting. I actually think that I'd really enjoy working as a dietitian in a grocery store. That would be a very rewarding job and would help a lot of people. The fact most Hy-Vee stores have a full time R.D.N. on staff is amazing and something that I'd love to see more chains pick up. Going back to my food label discussion, what better setting is there to discuss nutrition fact labels? Grocery shopping can be tough, especially for those not experienced in doing it (ahem, college students, ahem). The grocery store tours this spring will be fantastic!
No, I do not think every American would purchase food to meet their nutritional needs. Unfortunately, not everyone views the importance of a healthy diet in as high regards as dietitians do. Barriers to every American purchasing healthy food include money, time, convenience, and a desire to eat a nutritious diet. Many people believe that eating healthy has to be expensive. People also don’t want to spend the time preparing foods from scratch when they can just go through a drive through or put a frozen dinner in the microwave. Education is also a barrier, because not everyone knows how to cook or wants to cook.
As dietitians, we can educate people about the importance of a healthy diet. We can teach people how to purchase healthy foods on a budget. Conducting grocery store tours is a great way to do this! Dietitians can also do cooking demonstrations to teach people how to make quick and easy meals after purchasing the healthy food. We can supply simple recipes for balanced meals. We can also provide tips like doing extra food prep on the weekends so meals can be made quickly on busy weekdays. Dietitians can promote that a nutritious diet can be manageable and delicious.
Haley and Arthur both made great points about how Americans have acquired a taste for fast food and processed foods. These types of foods are the norm for our country. I agree with what Haley said about how healthy foods should be more readily available. I think if more people were exposed to healthier foods they would be surprised that healthy foods can taste good. There is a stereotype that healthy foods have to taste bad. Again, this is where dietitians can educate people about how to prepare healthy and delicious foods.
Unfortunately, I agree with everyone else so far in saying that I don’t think everyone would make the choice to purchase foods that help meet the guidelines. I think the biggest barrier is convincing people that eating healthy can be affordable, and as Arthur said, can taste great as well. There are a lot of different ways we can approach this, and it depends on the setting, but cooking demonstrations and grocery store tours are a great way to educate people on healthier eating.
Haley, I agree with the idea that unhealthy foods are just too easy to access and I think people have this perception that eating healthy is “hard,” and it’s our job to change that perception!
Absolutly not. First, knowledge doesn't dictate behavior. Even if people know they should and know that its available to them some people just don't care. And truthfully, until people are ready to make a decision to change, they should be free to eat whatever they want..as long as they are willing to pay a little higher insurance if they develop health risks. Also, just because these foods are available to people doesn't mean they have the training or ability to cook to foods or make them taste good. Its important that people have access to information on how to be healthy, but we have to be realistic.
I agree knowledge is power which seems to be a common theme of everyone's posts. We have to make sure the information is out there so that consumers, no matter what socio economic status, can make the most informed decision.
I completely agree with what everyone has said so far. Just because the food is available doesn't mean that everyone will make the best option. But that is what makes our jobs so important, as we need to educate individuals on why eating well is important and how to incorporate it into a healthy lifestyle. Providing education and support to help individuals get to the right stage of change - action! - is what we are trained to do, and having quality food available would only make our jobs easier.
I agree with Carrie. Disputing misconceptions and providing quality information is important in helping to encourage healthy lifestyles and nutritious eating.
Though healthful eating is gaining steam, there is still the barrier of the environment. A change in what our environment promotes as “food” would need to precede the general public accepting and electing to purchase foods supporting a nutrient dense diet. Restrictions on advertising have been strongly opposed by the food industry. When the food industry sees its profits at stake, it’s no wonder they dig in their heels. We need to find a soft approach to make cooperation with the food industry possible. As much as we would like to believe the food industry can self-regulate, the truth is we need to find a way to create some benefit or value to them motivating enough to open their mind to new perspectives. We need to recreate what is normal to eat.
I believe it all depends on the person. Those who care will change, and those who do not care, won't. Just like how things are now. I believe that the whole "healthy food is expensive" mentality is just another excuse for people not to eat healthy foods. If this excuse is taken from them, they'll still find another excuse, such as time commitment.
I think it is important as dietitians that we try to make sure we do take advantage of any opportunity that promotes a healthier lifestyle and make it something people want to strive for instead of feeling like it was forced on them. Some people just don't know any better, like how to cook or plan, which I feel are things they should start learning at an early age at home and in school.
I agree with what Haley said that people now a days have an acquired taste to fast food and unhealthy foods. I know people who know that vegetables and fruits are good for them but still would rather not eat those more regularly and instead get fast food whenever they can.
Post a Comment
<< Home