cheap food Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Junk Food in Hospitals

The AHA! Team — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:35:18 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Why is hospital food so unhealthy? “Put in stark terms, CVD [cardiovascular disease] claims 1 American life every 39 seconds and is responsible for more deaths annually than cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, and accidents combined.” For most heart attack deaths, you just keel over. Sudden cardiac death “is the first manifestation of CHD [coronary heart disease] for the majority of individuals, particularly among women.” So, “for many of these sudden death victims, their demise was the ﬁrst indication of the presence of coronary heart disease.” They didn’t even know they had heart disease. That’s why an ounce of prevention is worth way more than a pound of cure—because there is no cure for death. That’s also why the prevention of sudden cardiac death “remains a major public health challenge” because most people don’t even know they’re at risk. However, we’ve known for more than half a century, when we first started autopsying young servicemen who died during the Korean War, that coronary artery disease begins in our youth, even among young children. So, “business as usual…simply is not going to yield the improvements necessary to radically improve the CV [cardiovascular] health of the United States” and around the world. There is good news, though. A “low-risk lifestyle (not smoking, exercising regularly, having a prudent diet, and maintaining a healthy weight)” may be able to eliminate the vast majority of the risk for sudden cardiac death. “The time is now long overdue to start aggressive preventive cardiovascular disease programs in our schools, our homes, and our worksites.” How about starting in our hospitals? As I discuss in my video Hospitals Profit on Junk Food, a significant percentage of hospitals surveyed had fast-food restaurants inside them, with Krispy Kreme topping the list. Brilliant marketing, given that “families surveyed at the hospital with McDonald’s were…twice as likely to think McDonald’s was healthy, as compared to families at the hospitals without McDonald’s.” After all, McDonald’s was in the hospital. What about food served in hospital cafeterias? Any better? Researchers analyzed 384 entrees from 14 children’s hospitals in California, and only 7 percent “were classified as healthy.” And, just in case someone chose the rare healthy option, 81 percent of eating venues in children’s hospitals had junky “high-calorie impulse items, such as ice cream freezers, cookies, and candy, at or near the checkout register” and 38 percent “had signs encouraging unhealthy eating.” Why would they do that? If you ask hospital cafeteria managers, “less than a quarter (4 of 17) of respondents reported that the hospital followed nutrition standards for food offered in the cafeteria.” “Nutrition is not a top priority.” It’s the same reason unhealthy food is sold anywhere else: “pressure on food service departments for cafeterias to generate proﬁt.” “Increased emphasis…[is] placed on running a hospital foodservice department as a profit center”—a bigger and “bigger profit center,” that is. It’s such a metaphor for our sickness-care system in general, where healthy, treat-the-cause approaches are eclipsed by the pills and procedures that bring in the most money. What do you expect from the private sector? Public hospitals don’t seem to be much better. A 2019 analysis of veterans’ hospitals found that “all VA Hospitals contain vending machines providing a majority of soda, candy, and junk foods that directly conﬂict with healthy food choice recommendations from US governing health bodies,” such that, ironically, “hospital visits could theoretically promote worse health….An important question that should be posed is why are any soda or candy machines available at our VA hospitals? Are we trading the health of our veterans for proﬁts?” Maybe it’s time to ban junk food on hospital premises. “On daily rounds, it is appalling to see patients…gorging on crisps [potato chips], confectionery [candy], sports drinks, and cola—the very food items that may have contributed to their admission in the first place…It is obscene that many hospitals continue to have…fast food franchises on site, as well as corridors littered with vending machines selling junk food. Such practice legitimizes the acceptability and consumption of such foods in the daily diet…The obesity epidemic represents a public health crisis, but it is a public health scandal that by legitimizing junk food hospitals have themselves become a risk factor for diet-related disease by perpetuating the revolving door of healthcare…It’s time to stop selling sickness on the hospital grounds.” What message do residents receive when they are fed pizza and soda at grand rounds? We need a healthcare system with “more Hippocrates, less hypocrisy.” For more on how the profit motive is degrading our health, see related posts below. Key Takeaways Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death, surpassing the combined deaths from cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, and accidents. Sudden cardiac death often occurs without prior symptoms, particularly in women. Many victims are unaware they have coronary heart disease until it’s too late, highlighting the importance of prevention. Studies dating back to the Korean War show that coronary artery disease can begin in youth, including among young children, indicating that early prevention is crucial. A low-risk lifestyle, including not smoking, regular exercise, a prudent diet, and maintaining a healthy weight, can significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. Hospitals often fail to prioritize nutrition, with many offering unhealthy food options, including fast food and junk food, which contradicts health advice and potentially worsens patients’ conditions. There’s a call for hospitals to stop promoting unhealthy foods and focus on better nutritional practices. To read the original article click here.

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Buyer Beware: Frozen Food Health Dangers Exposed

The AHA! Team — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 06:06:31 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – NEW research: Every 10% increase in calories from junk food triggers a ‘CRAZY’ effect on cancer risk We’ve all been tempted by the siren call of the frozen food aisle. Those colorful boxes promise delicious, “home-style” meals in minutes – it’s hard to resist. And when you’re short on time, brands like Stouffer’s may seem like a gift from heaven. But, behind the mouthwatering images and claims of so-called “wholesome” ingredients lurks a less appetizing reality. These frozen favorites contain excess denatured salt, unwanted preservatives, plus other unhealthy additives. While these foods may be easier on our schedules, they’re not doing our health any favors. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what’s really inside these frozen meals. We’ll explore how companies like Stouffer’s have built empires on convenience and whether that convenience is worth the potential cost to your health. EWG food scores show frozen food companies are no longer trustworthy brands focused on consumer well-being There was a time when Hungry Man dinners and Boston Market frozen meals were staples in many American households. These quick and easy options seemed the perfect solution for busy families and individuals. However, our understanding of nutrition has evolved, and so has our perspective on these freezer aisle options. In recent years, organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have shed light on the true contents of many frozen foods, including popular brands like Stouffer’s. Their findings have given consumers pause, prompting a closer look at what we’re really eating when we opt for convenience. The EWG’s food scoring system evaluates products based on nutrition, ingredients, and processing methods. This comprehensive approach considers factors such as pesticide residues, contaminants, food additives, and antibiotic use in meat production. When applied to frozen meals, the results are often concerning. Many frozen food brands, Stouffer’s included, fall short in several areas. Most are not certified organic, which raises questions about the quality and origin of their ingredients. More troubling are the additives commonly found in these products. The meat used in frozen entrees presents another area of concern. Much of the meat ingredients come from animals treated with synthetic antibiotics and hormones – practices that are increasingly scrutinized for their potential impact on human health and the environment. It’s important to note that these findings don’t necessarily mean all frozen foods are harmful. However, they do highlight the need for consumers to be more discerning about their choices. As we dive deeper into specific ingredients and their potential effects, it becomes clear that the convenience of frozen meals often comes at a hidden health cost. Don’t believe Stouffer’s misleading frozen food claims When you flip over a Stouffer’s package, you might notice something curious – the vague term “flavor” listed as an ingredient. This ambiguity is just the tip of the iceberg. These frozen meals often contain high levels of toxic fats, excess sodium, and artificial flavors – a far cry from the wholesome, home-cooked meals they aim to replicate. While Stouffer’s maintains that their products are safe and high-quality, recent scrutiny has raised some red flags. For instance, many of their products contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including modified food starch and soy protein isolate. While big food companies turn a blind eye to the dangers of consuming GMOs, their presence alone contradicts the “natural” image many associate with the brand. Perhaps more concerning are the chemical additives and other questionable ingredients. Are those mysterious “flavors” listed on the package? They could hide a cocktail of artificial chemicals that manufacturers aren’t required to disclose individually. The EWG report we mentioned earlier also highlights the high levels of denatured salt in these meals. While salt enhances flavor, excessive amounts can pose cardiovascular risks. Moreover, heavily processed ingredients contradict the wholesome, home-style image the Stouffer’s brand tries to project. Let’s look at a specific example: Stouffer’s Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch frozen bowl. This product received the worst possible health score of 10 from the EWG, indicating it’s packed with potentially harmful chemicals and unhealthy ingredients. One particularly troubling component is sodium nitrite, which is used to preserve meat color and prevent spoilage. This additive has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. The disconnect between Stouffer’s marketing claims of healthful, non-toxic meals and the reality of their ingredients is stark. While these frozen dinners offer undeniable convenience, consumers should be aware that this convenience may cost their health. As we continue to unpack the world of frozen foods, it’s becoming clear that what we see on the front of the package doesn’t always match what’s listed in the ingredients. Be careful when adding items to your shopping cart When grocery shopping, consider bypassing the frozen food aisle altogether. Instead, opt for healthier, organic, all-natural options. Focus on foods without the aforementioned sodium nitrite. Opt for selections that are organic and contain sea salt. If you pick an item off the shelf with a lengthy list of chemicals and/or additives, don’t put it in your cart. In general, the fewer ingredients listed on the packaging, the healthier it is. Be aware that most frozen food is chock-full of denatured salt, which can contribute to high blood pressure. When choosing between sources of protein, favor antibiotic-free, 100% grass-fed, and organic foods. Sources for this article include: Healthy-holistic-living.com Goodness.com To read the original article click here.

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NEW Study Reveals Shocking Connection Between Fast Food and Mental Distress

AHA Publisher — Wed, 05 May 2021 07:00:56 +0000

Damon Hines via NaturalHealth365 – Today’s food contains non-food ingredients that your grandmother and great-grandmother wouldn’t have recognized as food. In fact, according to journalist and food writer Mark Bittman in his new book Animal, Vegetable, Junk, close to 50% of the food that’s available today is in the form of ultra-processed junk food. While there’s a well-established relationship between diet and physical health, the associations between diet and mental health remain largely a gray area – within the “conventional” world, and it’s one that’s being increasingly looked at by scientists and researchers. Cheap food has a terrible impact on public health. According to Bittman, as more countries switch from a traditional diet to a more American diet, rates of chronic disease go up. In a new study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers at Binghamton and Stony Brook University insist there is also growing evidence that dietary factors affect mental health. Key findings of the study include the associations that mental distress has with caffeine and fast food consumption. Obesity and Chronic Diseases Are Only the Tip of the Iceberg: Research Shows Fast Foods Cause Even MORE Harm The more fast food is consumed, the greater the risk of anxiety and depression. It’s a dietary thesis that’s backed up by numerous observational studies. For example, a 2019 study looking at adults over the age of 50 found a link between higher levels of anxiety and diets high in (toxic) saturated fat and added sugars. A separate study in 2019 found that fast food was a factor in rising teen depression. “The consumption of foods high in sodium and low in potassium may contribute to depression through multiple mechanisms, including direct effects on neurotransmitters and neural function,” the researchers concluded in the study published in Physiological Reports. Meanwhile, according to research published in Public Health Nutrition and prepared by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Navarra, in Spain, fast food can increase the risk of falling into depression by up to 51%. Finally, a multi-country analysis of 41 studies found that foods containing a lot of contaminated fat or sugar, or were processed, lead to “systemic inflammation,” which can lead directly to depression. The bottom line: there’s nothing happy about those “Happy Meals.” Processed Foods Are a Trap. Here Is Why Creating Healthy Eating Habits Pays Dividends In the emerging field of Nutritional Psychiatry, researchers are asking one question: Does diet help prevent mental health conditions? Yes, it does. But part of the problem is that ultra-processed foods are cheap, fast, and widely available. Therefore it’s easy for consumers to fall into a poor dietary pattern, one that may not only lead to chronic disease and obesity but increased anxiety and depression. What can you do? Eat a healthy diet characterized by high intakes of organic fruit, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, fish, low-fat dairy, and antioxidants. Don’t just steer clear of fast food but also avoid “fast groceries” – that 90% of the middle part of the supermarket where processed, high-calorie junk food thrives, conveniently packaged and engineered to be craveable, even though your grandmother and great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize those non-food products as food. Sources for this article include: Medicalnewstoday.com Medicalnewstoday.com Theguardian.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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