Can you believe we’re here again? Election season. This is a safe space. This post won’t be about choosing sides or party comparisons or weighing in on the candidates.
Instead, I’d employ anyone reading this to vote for yourself as we move into and beyond this election. Food policy is all over the place in this country and while there are some big changes coming in the future — like big bold labeling for added sugar — but for many of us, the most important thing we can do as individuals is to take our health into our own hands.
And while there are systematic food system issues in this country, we don’t need to vote on food policy to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of our families. There are simple ways all of us can "vote" for our own health in the choices we make on a daily basis.
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Limit Ultra Processed Foods: This one seems obvious. But what works for each of us as individuals can vary dramatically based on our genetics and unique metabolic needs. So how do we minimize the confusion and shop for foods that nourish and add to our health rather than subtract from it? The best thing any of us can do is minimize ultra processed foods, which have been studied and linked to adverse health outcomes. So much of it is that simple. At the grocery store, spend most of your time in the fresh food sections, be in produce, dairy, and protein. Minimize “foods” in colorful packaging with ingredient lists that can be 20+ ingredients long. There’s nothing inherently wrong with packaged foods — much of it can and is healthy in a diverse diet. Take beans and legumes, for example. And don’t just take it from us: the research is piling up too.
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Avoid Added Sugars: This is a big one and a driving force of our food ethos here at Oobli. Despite all our advancements in health and healthcare, we still have a sugar problem. We consume a whopping 67 grams of added sugar per day on average. That’s a TON. The New York Times has a new interactive page with the many health and metabolic ramifications of too much added sugar. Limiting ultra processed foods can make a huge dent here, as these are usually the culprit of too much sugar, with high-sugar drinks and coffees being key offenders.
Image Credit: The New York Times
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Prioritize Protein: Protein is hot right now. And for good reason. Research on protein shows that we need more than we thought, with many active people needing more than the upper recommended limit. Protein helps keep us full, helps build muscle and our bodies absolutely love protein. In fact, more than 40% of the dry weight of our bodies is made of protein and their constituent amino acids. And the benefit of upping your protein intake is that it usually means you have less room for refined carbs and sugars. And that’s a win.
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Move More. Yep, you knew this one was coming. And while intense exercise and resistance training is excellent for metabolic health, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Just moving more has a huge impact on our overall health. That can be walking, standing frequently, stretching throughout the day, dancing or playing with your kids and/or generally anything that gets your blood flowing and joints moving. It’s most important right after meals, as many people see postprandial blood sugar reduce by 1% for every one minute of walking after a meal.
While we’re definitely aware that elections often bring an opportunity for food policy changes and reform to increase healthy and fresh food access, and we encourage everyone to do their own research, we believe the most impactful little things we can do to prioritize our own personal health is making these kinds of health choices on a day to day basis.
