Facts

• Food desert is a term that became renowned in Scotland through UK government sponsored studies in the late 90's. (Cummins & McIntyre 1)
• About 23.5 million people in America live in food deserts
• Food deserts may be under-reported because the North American Industry Classification System places small corner grocery stores (which often primarily sell packaged food) in the same category as grocery stores like Safeway and Whole Foods
• Former First Lady Michelle Obama's had a campaign to fight childhood obesity, ""Let's Move,"" had a goal of eradicating food deserts by 2017 (unfortunately, they still exist).
• There was a $400 million investment from the government towards this initiative, which provided tax breaks for supermarkets that opened in food deserts
• Food insecurity has a high correlation with increased diabetes rates. In Chicago, the death rate from diabetes in a food desert is twice that of areas with access to grocery stores
• People living in the poorest SES (social-economic status) areas have 2.5 times the exposure to fast-food restaurants as those living in the wealthiest areas
• With limited options, many people living in food deserts get meals from fast-food restaurants (USDA 2009)(White House Task force 2010)

Access to Unhealthy Food

While we are finding ways to make food accessible, we should also have a plan to limit the abundance of unhealthy foods. This picture here: gives a clear view of how the United States Department of Agriculture, a United States Federal Executive department, perceives the Food Desert Crisis. Their focus is primarily on providing access to healthy foods and this is not enough. There are other factors involved that can help fight the crisis of food deserts. The Food desert crisis is not just an issue of food accessibility, it's a problem that has to factor in other issues like the overabundance of fast food restaurants in low income communities and the unhealthy options offered to these people through the smaller, mom-and pop grocery stores. These are just a couple of the factors that I would like to address.

Take a look at the picture below that represents food deserts in America. What do we see? This picture speaks volumes about what is accessible in a Food Desert. This is a reality! We see fries, a burger, ice cream, popcorn and very little fruit. Only a banana and an avocado. This is a problem, yet represents the reality of what is easily accessible in a food desert.

FAST FOOD

Let's take a look at Fast Food: People are more likely to make unhealthy food choices when fast food is the convenient and sometimes the cheaper option. One study showed, ""having at least one chain restaurant within a mile was associated with a 21.2% increase in frequency of fast food meals"" (Athens, Duncan, Elbel 7).

It's not that the issue of fast food consumption only exist in low income communities. There's heavy access to these places and less access to healthy foods, leaving these communities with very little choices. Many of these communities have supermarkets that are miles away and they lack transportation to get to them. According to different studies, there is greater access to fast food restaurants in low income and minority urban areas. ""Evidence is growing that access to an unhealthy food establishment increases consumption of fast food and fast food is a risk factor for obesity"" (Gordon-Larsen 2). Also, many researchers concluded that there are few to no supermarkets in low income areas and a great amount of fast food restaurants (Karpyn 2010).

The Small Grocery Store

Then there's the problem of the local, small grocery store aka mom-and pop store: The local grocery stores in many low income urban communities are known for the sale of sugary, processed, high fat, high salt foods and lack of fresh fruit and vegetables.

One article stated, in New York City and other urban communities, small convenience stores and fast food places are the main source where people are purchasing food. In these neighborhoods, there are few places where you can buy healthy food and again, few supermarkets (Gordon 2011). Research shows, in Camden NJ there are approximately 120 small grocery and convenience stores with few healthy food options and lack affordable, fresh and good quality fruits and vegetables. In general, many people in food desert communities complain about finding fresh, quality healthy food in the local, small grocery store (Chrisinger 2018).

What's the Solution!

Experts say let's bring the supermarkets back to these areas and equip the small grocery stores with healthy food. I propose that this is only a partial solution. Only encouraging food accessibility is not a solution. While the big (supermarkets) and small grocery stores are being equipped with incentives to help with fresh food, there should be restrictions on the number of fast food establishments that can open for business in low income communities. There should be some limitations and zoning put on fast food restaurants. This was an idea that was implemented in South Los Angeles, CA in 2008. Due to an increase in obesity rates amongst impoverished people, there was a one year long ban on new stand-alone fast food restaurants (Sturm, Cohen 1). Currently, this is an alternative that many municipalities around the country are considering. It may be a good idea to zone fast food restaurants to reduce access.

High access to unhealthy food makes the fight against food deserts ineffectual. We have to address the issues. It's hard to believe that we live in a country where food deserts exist. But unfortunately, this crisis has hit impoverished areas in our country in a major way, especially our urban neighborhoods; where people live more than a mile away from access to healthy food and may not have transportation to get to their local supermarket, farmers market, etc. These are areas that are flooded with fast food restaurants and local grocery stores that sell foods consisting of high fat, high sodium, sweet and processed foods.

Many of these impoverished urban communities have people that are suffering and dying from all kinds of sicknesses and diseases because of a lack of access to healthy food. Supermarkets are leaving these communities and putting the fate of these people in the hands of the mom and pop neighborhood grocery stores and the fast food establishments. The argument is that people in these impoverished urban communities wouldn't eat healthy even if they had access to healthy food, which is probably why you see many fast food restaurants thriving in these communities. One New York Times article, titled, ""Giving the Poor Easy Access to Healthy Food Doesn't Mean They'll buy it"" gave insight on a study where the consuming and purchasing habits of people living in one particular food desert didn't really make an impact after access to healthy food (Sanger-Katz 2015). Could it be that people have been trained to eat foods that are not healthy because of years within a cycle with no access to healthy food? The cycle can be changed!

Let's change the cycle! Here is an action plan:

• Push to have fast food restaurants zoned in food deserts
• Community nutrition classes to educate on healthy behavior and eating habits
• Get involved with the local low income neighborhood and help build vegetable and fruit gardens
• Push to have incentives continually given to private supermarket owners
• Encourage others to take community nutrition classes
• Speak to local store owners about selling fresh fruit and vegetables
• Encourage store owners to showcase fresh produce in visible areas of the stores
• Continue to support healthy mobile food trucks like the Food Bank of South Jersey
• Support the cause: According to the USDA: Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) continues to expand the availability of nutritious food to food deserts ”low-income communities without ready access to healthy and affordable food??”by developing and equipping grocery stores, small retailers, corner stores, and farmers markets with fresh and healthy food
• Eat the banana instead of the fries

Citations

1. ""PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS IN FOOD DESERTS."" States News Service, States News Service, 7 Mar. 2016.
2. Holzman, David. ""White House Proposes Healthy Food Financing Initiative."" Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 118, no. 4, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Apr. 2010, p. A156, doi:10.1289/ehp.118-a156.
3. Ma, Xiaoguang, et al. ""Variation in Low Food Access Areas Due to Data Source Inaccuracies."" Applied Geography, vol. 45, no. 1-2, Elsevier Ltd, Dec. 2013, pp. 131–37, doi:10.1016/j.apgeog.2013.08.014.
4. Chrisinger, Benjamin W., et al. ""Leveraging Citizen Science for Healthier Food Environments: A Pilot Study to Evaluate Corner Stores in Camden, New Jersey.(Survey)."" Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 6, Frontiers Research Foundation, Mar. 2018, p. 89, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00089.
5. Gordon, Cynthia, et al. ""Measuring Food Deserts in New York City's Low-Income Neighborhoods."" Health and Place, vol. 17, no. 2, Elsevier Ltd, Mar. 2011, pp. 696–700, doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2010.12.012.
6. Gordon-Larsen, Penny. ""Food Availability/convenience and Obesity."" Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), vol. 5, no. 6, Nov. 2014, pp. 809–17, doi:10.3945/an.114.007070.
7. Shannon, Jerry. ""Food Deserts: Governing Obesity in the Neoliberal City."" Progress in Human Geography, vol. 38, no. 2, SAGE Publications, Apr. 2014, pp. 248–66, doi:10.1177/0309132513484378.
8. Sturm, Roland, and Cohen, Deborah A. ""Zoning for Health? The Year-Old Ban on New Fast-Food Restaurants in South LA."" Health Affairs (Project Hope), vol. 28, no. 6, 2009, pp. w1088–97, doi:10.1377/hlthaff.28.6.w1088.
9. James, Peter, et al. ""Do Minority and Poor Neighborhoods Have Higher Access to Fast-Food Restaurants in the United States?"" Health and Place, vol. 29, Elsevier Ltd, Sept. 2014, pp. 10–17, doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2014.04.011.
10. Fielding, Jonathan E, and Simon, Paul A. ""Food Deserts or Food Swamps?: Comment on 'Fast Food Restaurants and Food Stores.'"" Archives of Internal Medicine, vol. 171, no. 13, American Medical Association, July 2011, pp. 1171–72, doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.279.
11. Santorelli, Melissa, and Okeke, Janice. ""Evaluating Community Measures of Healthy Food Access."" Journal of Community Health, vol. 42, no. 5, Springer US, Oct. 2017, pp. 991–97, doi:10.1007/s10900-017-0346-3.
12. Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food Measuring and Understanding Food Deserts and Their Consequences???: Report to Congress . [Rev. Sept. 3, 2009]., U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 2009.
13. Cummins, Steven, and Macintyre, Sally. ""'Food Deserts'??”evidence and Assumption in Health Policy Making."" BMJ, vol. 325, no. 7361, British Medical Journal Publishing Group, Aug. 2002, doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7361.436.
14. Athens, Jessica K., et al. ""Proximity to Fast-Food Outlets and Supermarkets as Predictors of Fast-Food Dining Frequency."" Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vol. 116, no. 8, Elsevier Inc., Aug. 2016, pp. 1266–75, doi:10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.022.
15. Karpyn, Allison, et al. ""Policy Solutions to the 'Grocery Gap.'"" Health Affairs (Project Hope), vol. 29, no. 3, 2010, pp. 473–80, doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0740.
16. Sanger-Katz, Margot. ""Giving the Poor Easy Access to Healthy Food Doesn't Mean They'Ll Buy It ."" Giving the Poor Easy Access to Healthy Food Doesn't Mean They'Ll Buy It , 2015.
17. America's Worst 9 Urban Food Deserts. (2011, September 22). Retrieved November 3, 2015, from
18. http://newsone.com/1540235/americas-worst-9-urban-food-deserts/

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When you read two articles do you ever notice anything they have in common or different? In the two articles, ""No food is healthy. Not even kale"" and ""Still a Fast Food Nation: Eric Schlosser Reflects on 10 Years Later"". I found many similarities that they had in common and some differences. Both articles talk about food and healthy eating

One similarity between the article ""No food is healthy. Not even kale"" and ""Still a Fast Food Nation: Eric Schlosser Reflects 10 Years Later"" is that in both articles the authors talks about how important it is to eat healthy. Healthy eating is not about strict limitations, staying very thin, or to stop eating the foods you love. It is about having more energy, feeling great about yourself, and improving your health. Eating healthy does not have to be very complicated for anyone. One of the most important steps you have to take to start eating healthy should be to replace processed food with real food as much as possible. Something else that makes a difference in your health is eating food that is as close as possible to the way nature made it. We all need a balance of fat, protein, vitamins, fiber, carbohydrates, and minerals in our diets to sustain a healthy body. You do not have to stop eating certain categories of food but select the healthiest options from each. Protein gives you the energy to get up and go. Fat, not all fat is the same, bad fat can increase your risk of certain diseases, good fats protect your heart.

Fiber, eating food high in fiber can help you lower your risk of heart disease. Calcium, not getting enough calcium can be bad for you. Carbohydrates are one of your body's main source of energy. Switching to a healthy life does not have to be an all or nothing proposition. You do not have to completely eliminate food you enjoy, and you do not have to change everything all at once. Cooking more meals at home can help you take charge of what you are eating and monitor exactly what goes into your food. You will avoid the added sugar, chemical additives, and unhealthy fats of packaged and fast foods. When cutting back on unhealthy foods, it is important to replace them with healthy alternatives. Replacing dangerous trans fats with healthy fats will make a positive difference to your health. It is also important to be aware of what is in your food as manufactures often hide large amounts of sugar or unhealthy fats in packaged food, even food that it is supposed to be healthy as it is said on the article ""No food is healthy. Not even kale."" by Michael Ruhlman ""Do you know what they replace the fat with? I asked. ""Hmm"" she said, then lifted the carton and read the second ingredient on the label after skim milk: ""corn syrup"" … with the rest of the groceries."" (1).

The healthier the food you eat, the better you will feel after a meal. The more junk food you eat the most likely you are to feel uncomfortable. Moderation is important to live a healthy life. It means eating only as much food as your body needs. You should feel satisfied at the end of a meal, but not stuffed. For many of us, moderation means eating less than we do now. But it does not mean eliminating the foods you love. For example, eating bacon one day of the week for breakfast can be considered moderation if you eat a healthy lunch and dinner but not if you eat pizza. Other important step to take is to start eating more fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetables have a lot of nutrients, which means they have a lot of vitamins.

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The culture of eating raw food for health benefits began in the 18th century, with monks and nuns in France and Germany. They ate raw food and fasted to attain greater physical and spiritual health. In the late 19th century though the first part of the 20th innovative thinkers such as Arnold Ehret and Bernarr McFadden began spreading the word about the raw food diet to the public. Dr. Christine Nolfi of Denmark coined the term “living food” for this type of diet after healing herself of breast cancer. (Moore)

Today’s raw food diet enthusiasts eat unprocessed, whole, plant-based, and preferably organic, foods. Uncooked food usually makes up 75% of a person’s diet. People who live on mostly raw foods believe that their diet of primarily raw foods makes them healthier. (Nordqvist, Christian Butler, Natalie, RD, LD)

Raw food diets can be classified into four general categories: the raw vegetarian diet which is plant-based with added eggs and dairy, the raw vegan diet which eliminates all animal products, the raw omnivore diet which includes both plant-based and animal-based foods, and the raw carnivore diet which includes uncooked meat but excludes cooked meat.

A raw-food diet does include a variety of foods, such as: soaked and sprouted beans, other legumes, grains, dried fruits, nut milks, raw nuts and seeds, raw nut butters, raw fruits, vegetables and their juices, milk which comes from young coconuts, seaweeds, green food powders like dried wheatgrass or algae, fermented foods, such as kimchi and sauerkraut, and other unprocessed foods. Some raw food diets contain: raw eggs, raw fish, raw meat, raw milk and dairy products, which means that they are unpasteurized and unhomogenized. Most raw foodists avoid all refined, cooked, and processed foods, including refined sugar, refined flour, refined oils, and table salt. They also eschew coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. (Nordqvist, Christian Butler, Natalie, RD, LD)

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Most people around the globe hope to live a happy and healthy life. Reaching these goals is what most people spend their entire life trying to accomplish. Their basic needs include shelter, clothing, food and water. In the past, when people were all about trying to provide for themselves and their families, that meant that they were doing well. In the present, people wonder what type of food is the best and what food is the best for growing children, especially teenagers. Question is, what type of food should a parent provide for their growing, hormonal teenager? With studies all over the world, organic food is the best option, but what is organic? It basically means that the produce has to be grown naturally with no preservatives or chemicals. Teenagers need all the vitamins and minerals possible so their bodies can adjust to the changes. Organic foods are better for a teenager’s health compared to eating non-organic food because organic foods have the vitamins and minerals a teenager needs for its growing body. Teenagers are at the stage where their hormones and bodies are changing and their organs, tissues and brains are developing. They need all of the nutrients they possibly can get. They need more than most people to support their bone growth. Eating organic would be their best option because it has the most amount of nutrients.

Teenagers need organic food to better their health. I belive that if a teenagers eats organic food, they will grow up to be healthier both physically and mentally. With all of the foods that we have around us, its hard to see whats good for us. Teens are at the stage where they are active and trying to figure themselves out. They are going through puberty which can be really hard on them. Studies show that eating healthy can help with depression compared to eating junk food. Most junk food contain bacteria and uncesessary suagars that can really mess with their digestion. Orgnaic food contains more vitmamins and minerals that can help with teens mental health. The toxins in some of the non-orgnaic foods can kill the nesecarry microogranims and disrupt the generation of nutrients. According too PMC “organic food consumption may reduce the risk of allergic disease and of overweight and obesitry…) (Mie,1). It can help teenagers still fit while feeling healthy at the same time. Teenagers are usually more active then adults since they have more energy. Eating junk food will just make them feel crappy instead of helthy.

Organic food has been around for may years. It been around before new technologies and discoveries ever existed. Thought decades, organic food has developed and became more popular and gotten more attention from buyers. There are many standards that come to place to make a food “organic”. What does organic food come from and what does it mean? There are many definitions around the term “organic”. According to the article “What does organic mean?” they said that “organic food is the product of a farming system which avoids the use of man-made fertilizers, pesticides; growth regulators and livestock feed additives.” (Lewis, 1). Compared to conventional foods, organic foods relies more on the natural side of growth. The organic system rejects all forms of synthetic chemical pesticides.

Organic food is getting easier all over the world. Several everyday items can be produced on organic farms like vegetables, grains, meat, dairy, eggs and now cotton. Every year, the number of organic farms is increasing. The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has been monitoring the number of organic farms produced each year. About 2,500 to 3,000 certified organic farmers were in US in 1994. All fifty states had some type of organic farming in 2005. Today, about 10,000 organic farms are growing or producing two percent of the food supply in the United States. Organic food is getting easier to get because many organic companies try to teach everyone about the benefits of organic food.

Organic farming is based on holistic, ecologically approach that include soil fertility, crop rotation, and control of natural pests. By reducing pollution, water conservation and soil quality, all organic farming procedures are planned to benefit the environment. Farmers don't use any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers on crops when growing organic produce. They allow their produce to grow naturally.

Organic food has a lot of great qualities for our health. Health and nutrition are the main reasons people buy and consume organic products. Some studies show that organic food can help the appearance of your skin. Reducing large amounts of acne and oily tendencies of skin. Skin appearance is not the only reason people eat organic food. Most people believe that eating organic food will help their overall health. Some people also believe that organic food will prevent diseases and increase one 's lifespan. The benefits of organic food for your health and the environment outweigh all of the costs. More and more parents believe that organic baby food will help their babies learning and physical growth. Parents also think that organic baby food is a safer alternative for infants health. Also many schools are going towards using organic products for their lunch program as a healthier choice for children. All organic users are choosing organic because of the lack of Genetically Modified ingredients.

Organic farms have a lot of rules and regulations on their livestock. All livestock has to be raised in a humane environment as close to their original habitat is. This includes no cages and unlimited outside time for the animals. Also all livestock must be fed one hundred percent organic feed. This was required by law in 2012 and is still in effect to this day. Many non-organic farms add protein to the animlas foods to increase its body weight for selling. Organic farms do not do this. They only add protein rich plants like soybeans, field peas, field beans, or potato flakes. Many organic farms have heating lamps all over their farms to keep the livestock warm in harsh climates and conditions. This will then reduce the risk of sickness of the animals. Organic livestock is only allowed one round of antibiotics in their life. They can only get the antibiotics under the age of one, after that they are not allowed. Also if one of the animals is sick and gets better, but then proceeds to get ill a second time it will not be able to be sold as organic anymore. All of the antibiotics left in the flesh of the animals can make people sick and have a resistance to antibiotics, which can cause serious health problems in the long run. A lot of doctors prescribe antibiotics to help humans from sickness. With all of this being said the demand for organic meat has increased drastically.

In order for teenagers to live an organic lifestyle they need to be educated about it. Education can come a long way because organic food just recently became the norm. As time goes by we see more and more people going for the organic lifestyle. Organic means that the crops cannot be grown with synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides , cannot be genetically engineered, the animals must eat only organically grown feed and cannot be treated with synthetic hormones or antibiotics, the animals must have access to the outdoors and animals can’t be cloned. Basically for an item to be organic it has to be grown naturally without any preservatives or anything that would speed up the growing process. The food is also often fresher because it doesn’t contain any preservatives that make it last longer. There are no antibiotics or growth hormones added to any of the meats. There are pros and cons to a teenager eating organic food. Some pros may be that organic food has more nutrients then conventional foods, animals are being treated better and healthier, there is a lower level of pesticide residue. Some cons may be that its expensive and may spoil quicker. At the end of the day the teen should go for the healthier options rather than the “junk food” because they want to stay healthy while growing rapidly. That’s why they need to be educated. With education, they can come up with what option is healthy for them and what option is considered “junk food”.

Organic food is also better for the environment. Conventional farming has very many harmful effects on the environment from using chemicals such as pesticides, synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMO’s are lab made organisms to help crops last longer, as well as keep pests away. “The use of GM seeds is a contentious issue because we are toying with nature”. (Sustainable Table,1). Basically the seed that’s being placed into the group is a seed that has had its genetic makeup changed in a lab to grow into a desirable fruit or vegetable. It’s meant for the fruit or vegetable to not go brown so quickly and are pest resistant. Organic seeds don’t allow GMOs. The seed gets to be grown organically and naturally. Conventional soil is also messed chemical/artificial fertilizers made from fossil fuels to give the soil its nutrients. Organic soil has fertilizers made from composts which includes crop rotation, natural pest control, hand weeding and animal gazing.

To guarantee these criteria's are being met, the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) was made. The Organic Food Production Act was made to set up guidelines for how a food is being produced and handled in order for it to be labled ""organic"". It makes sure that the crops are free of residues. They're main goal enhance the life of the soil, plants, animals and people. Another rule that have a factor in thinking about whether an item is organic or not is known as the 100 mile rule. the 100 mile rule makes sure that all produce, animals and crops need to 100 miles or less in order to be bought. This one is set up to guarantee the nature of the item being that no synthetic compounds are added to guarantee the ability to with stand the shipping.

When shopping for organic products, it is important to understand the labels that are displayed. Too often people confuse the word natural with the word organic. These two words have two different meanings and two different regulations for producing them. Natural does not mean organic. Natural means minimally processed. There are no added colors, flavors preservatives, or artificial ingredients. These natural products still receive antibiotics or growth hormones. The label “USDA Organic” means that that product is certified organic. USDA Organic means that the 95% to 100% of that food is organic. The labels “100% Organic” and “Organic” are both certified to use this label. The two labels “Contains Organic Ingredients” and “Made with Organic Ingredients” are easy to confuse with certified organic products. The label “Made with Organic Ingredients” indicates that the products contains at 70 percent of organic ingredients. Although they contain organic ingredients, they are prohibited from displaying the USDA certified organic label. They are allowed to list the organic ingredients though. The label “Contains Organic Ingredients” indicates that the product contains less than 70 percent of organic ingredients. This label is also prohibited from listing the USDA seal. Other labels that may displayed are Grass fed, free range, and no hormone added. Grass fed simply means the livestock was only fed grass or hay. These animals have access to the outdoors and tend to be healthier and leaner due to their grass fed diet. Free range means the animals were not strictly confined to a cage and had access to outdoors but the access was very limited. No hormones added label means that the livestock was raised without the use of any added growth hormones. This label is helpful for beef and dairy products. All these lables may be confusing but we all really need to be aware of what they mean. Especially

Finding truly organic products is not always easy. The quality is not always available in the local grocery stores. A few tips are included to ensure you are getting what you are expecting. To ensure the highest quality and freshness, always buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. Shopping a local farmers market provides a better chance of local, quality produce. Also at farmers markets, it is a good chance that the produce was grown or bought locally.

Buying and eating organic foods has many perks and benefits that cannot be received from some conventional foods. For starters organic food is fresher than regular food. Many of times, the produce is often grown on small farms near where the produce is being sold. The freshness of the produce and livestock in turn produces a better taste. All of the organic products are antibiotic free. Conventional foods that contain antibiotics help to produce antibiotic-resistant strands within the human body. Being that feeding livestock animal-by-product is prohibited; it reduces the risk of transferring diseases such as the mad cow disease to humans. Regulations on the space provided to livestock are preventive measure to keeping the livestock healthy. All meat from organic farming is fresh, disease free and healthy before being sold to the buyers. Also the produce contains fewer pesticides which can be harmful to humans. The harmful pesticides can cause disease in people. The health benefits from eating organic are considerable and long lasting. There is a higher nutrition concentration in organic products. All of the organic products are grown with quality rather quantity as the goal. Organic products contain more calcium which is a necessity for the body. More magnesium is found in organic products which reduces mortality from heart attacks and prevents muscle spasms. There is a significant amount of Selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that protects the human body from environmental chemicals, cancers, and heart disease. A micronutrient called Chromium is also found in organic products. The micronutrient prevents adult diabetes. Organic production and farming is also better for the environment because itt reduces pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and uses less energy.

Many studies have been done to find and confirm the benefits of eating organic foods. There are many controversies to whether or not organic food is better. Some believe that going organic is a waste of money and time and that you reaping no benefits from the product. But eating organic foods are a benefit to life itself. Eating organic foods will help decrease your risk for getting diseases and cancer. Cosumers can markedly reduce their intake of pesticide residue and their exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria by choosing organic produce and meat, according to researchers at Stanford University. The Stanford team analyzed more than 230 field studies and 17 human studies conducted in the United States and Europe to compare pesticide residues, antibiotic resistance and vitamin and nutrient levels in organic and conventionally produced foods. The study confirms consumers who eat organic fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce pesticide concentrations in their bodies. 

With all of the studies done about organic food and how its better for teens, the environment and everything else, if a teenager desidces to not take care of its health there can be some complications. If teenagers don’t care about their health, they can become obose. Obesity is sweeping the nation and its due to all of the amount of junk food, fast food, and sweets that are promoted and sold every day. In the United States the number of teenagers that are obese is increasing rapidly. 18% of teen from ages 12 to 19 are obese. That is tripling teen obesity in 1980. 30% of kids from ages 6 to 19 years old are obese. These statistics show a huge problem and it is growing faster than ever. 

Obesity has the ability to control and ruin your life. Health related issues that are related to obesity include diabetes, weaker physical health and well being, and depression. Bullying is also often targeted towards people who are overweight. Those who are overweight may obtain a negative body image and being unhealthy physically and mentally can cause for a shorter and unhappier life. “Teens with weight problems tend to have much lower self-esteem and be less populat with their peers” (American Academy of child and Adolescent, 1) Usually when teens are feeling down they go to food as a “pick me up” Food is, of course, a necessity of life. All living organisms need food to live but humans have made it so while we are eating it to live it is also hurting their health. The food that America has fell in love with is the problem. Fried food, fast food, sweets, and just tasty food. Everywhere people turn they just see more food. Food industries have done a great job targeting the youth. The average child watches 10,000 food commercials per year on television. That is a little over 27 commercials a day just for food. Most food commercials are for junk food and fast food. Only 2% are for fruits, vegetables, or beans. These commercials make people think they are hungry. People are always tempted to try the food they see on television. From a young age, Americans are trained to love food that isn’t good for them.

Compared to American teens, some other countries have other regulations. Japan is opposed to genetically modified foods meaning they only grow fresh fruits and vegtables. New Zealand is also non-gmo friendly. They have some foods that contain GMOs but those are usually imported from somewhere else. Australia and New Zealnd are homes to 38% of the worlds organic farmland. Other countries like Austia, Hungary, Greece and Bulgaria have banned selling GMOs foods. If these countries can ban GMOs why can’t the US? Most people say it’s becaue of our large population. I belive if we all contribute and start gardenting and starting caring about the environment we can get to the same level as some of the other countries.

In my opinion, organic food is the best option for people. In my household, everything you can think of is organic. Fruits, vegtables shampoo, makeup. This is because my mom didn’t like some of the ingredients in some of the non-orgnaic products. My doctor once said that if you can read the first 5 items in the ingreditents you know its not good for you. Ever since then my mom changed our whole diets. It was really hard in the beging but now 15 years later, I can taste a difference between non-organic produce and organic produe. Even when I go out with friends and eat fast foods, I can taste the difference with how they prepare their foods. WHneever I go to Poland to visit my family, I always loose so much weight because everthign out there Is grown organically in my grandparents garden and they raise their own animals.

Works Cited

1. “Organic Foods: What You Need to Know.” Healthy Eating Tips to Prevent, Control, and Reverse Diabetes, 13 Feb. 2019, www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm/.
2. https://sustainabletable.org.au/all-things-ethical-eating/industrial-vs-organic/
3. https://nutrition.org/interpreting-food-labels-natural-versus-organic/
4. https://ofrf.org/organic-faqs
5. https://www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/fff-guide/obesity-in-children-and-teens-079.aspx

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Introduction

There are challenges present in city food systems across the United States, based on many factors such as local, state, and federal policies, population demographics, and city infrastructure. The city of Baltimore is no exception, possessing a host of its own unique challenges. One significant challenge the city faces is the lack of availability of healthy food in corner stores, which are the most prevalent and accessible food retail outlet in the city. To address this problem, we propose a program that will be offered as an additional incentive for corner store owners participating in the Baltimarket program. The incentive will link corner store owners with local farmers, simultaneously reducing food waste and providing Baltimore city residents with low-cost healthy food via corner store outlets. This paper further describes the challenge of lack of healthy food in corner stores and outlines a proposal for the program connecting corner store outlets with food producers based on the following criteria: effectiveness, cost, feasibility and sustainability, ethical acceptability, and level of social and political will.

Challenge

Despite the many interventions that have been implemented to improve the Baltimore food system, there are still gaps that exist. One major gap can be observed in the Baltimore Food Environment Report’s measure of the Healthy Food Availability Index (HFAI) in different food retail establishments throughout the city. This indicator measures quantity and variety of staple food groups and healthy options in stores, assigning each establishment a score ranging from 0 to 28.5. The score is based on the presence of a market basket of staple foods and whether healthy options of common foods are available. The report applies the HFAI to four primary food retail environments in the city: small grocery and corner stores, convenience stores, public markets, and supermarkets. Out of these environments, small grocery and corner stores had the lowest average Healthy Food Availability score at a value of 9.1. There are at least 525 small corner and grocery stores located throughout the city compared to 183 convenience stores, 6 public markets, and 47 supermarkets, making corner stores by far the most widespread type of food retail environment (BFPI, 2018).

It is problematic that one of the most prevalent sources of food in the city significantly lacks healthy options. While levels of access to corner stores may be high for residents across the city, access to healthy foods within these stores is low. Through qualitative interviews with Baltimore corner store owners, researchers found that corner store owners often were hesitant to stock healthy products due to perceived high costs of healthy food items (Ross et al, 2017). The problem of high prevalence of corner stores with limited healthy options also presents a social justice issue, as low-income urban residents are less likely to have access to food retail environments with higher HFAI scores (Song et al., 2009). Some researchers found specifically that “small and medium-sized food stores and carry-out restaurants are the predominant food sources, particularly in lower income neighborhoods” (Gittelsohn et al, 2008). This lack of access limits a specific subgroup of residents’ food choices to products sold in corner stores, diminishing both their agency and opportunities to maintain their health.

Intervention

To attempt to remedy this problem in the food system, I propose that a program should implemented to expand the Baltimarket Healthy Stores program that is already in place in Baltimore city. The Baltimarket initiative is a joint program run by the Baltimore County Health Department, Maryland Community Health Resources Commission, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the YMCA, and Baltimore City Public Schools with the goal of reducing childhood obesity through improvement of food retail environments, including corner stores (BCHD, 2014). The three major components of the Baltimarket program are improving healthy food selections in corner stores, designating youth neighborhood food advocates to facilitate conversations around healthy eating, and providing grocery store-based nutrition education. The program currently provides several incentives for storeowners who commit to stocking healthy food products, including technical assistance, customer education, marketing, start-up incentives and infrastructure. As of 2017, Baltimarket has attracted approximately 17 corner store locations to carry out the initiative (Rock, 2017). (The program received a grant in 2017 to help expand partners by 40 stores, but updated figures are not yet available.) The few participating stores are also densely concentrated within a radius of a few blocks, serving a limited number of Baltimore city residents. It is hoped that by adding another offered incentive for corner store owners, the Baltimarket initiative will be able to attract more corner store participants and produce a greater positive impact on the health of Baltimore city residents.

The expansion of the Baltimarket program would offer an additional nonfinancial incentive from the Baltimore City Health Department for corner store owners who attempt to increase healthy options and decrease unhealthy options in their stores. The new incentive will consist of forming partnerships between corner store owners and local farmers. The farmers will directly supply fresh produce that they would not be able to sell otherwise to corner store owners at a discounted rate so that the stores can provide healthy food choices for their customers. It is hoped that this incentive will not only positively influence corner store consumers’ healthy food choices, but enhance corner stores’ and farmers’ sales overall.

Effectiveness

Effectiveness can be defined as success in achieving the intervention’s goal. The incentive linking corner store owners to healthy food suppliers is modeled after a component of the successful Healthy Corner Store Initiative implemented in the city of Philadelphia, where The Food Trust nonprofit group, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Representative Dwight Evans, the Philadelphia Department of Commerce, the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation and the Jefferson Center for Urban Health have collaborated to support corner store owners in stocking healthy food items (The Food Trust, 2014). The program is very similar in terms of content and partners to Baltimarket, but has managed to enroll over 600 corner stores across the city of Philadelphia compared to Baltimore’s approximate 17. The Healthy Corner Store Initiative simply offers an example of an expanded version of Baltimore’s Baltimarket program. Evidenced by the hundreds of corner stores enrolled in Philadelphia’s program, it has been successful in attracting partners to carry out its mission to assist city residents in choosing healthier foods. While Philadelphia holds nearly twice the population of Baltimore, it is a very similar city in many regards, located only 100 miles away on the east coast with similar population characteristics such as racial makeup and percent of the population in poverty (US Census Bureau, 2017). In addition to similar population composition, residents in both cities seem to rely heavily on corner stores for sustenance. Baltimarket and the Healthy Corner Store Initiative already share many similarities, such as empowering youth to be agents of change, providing technical assistance to store owners, marketing healthy messages, and contributing store-based nutrition education. These resemblances suggest that the additional program linking corner store owners to local farmers employed in Philadelphia may be effective in achieving the same goals in Baltimore.

Cost

Cost can be defined as the amount of money required to implement the intervention. It is anticipated that the cost of linking corner store owners to local farmers and fresh food suppliers for the Baltimore City Health Department would largely be associated with staff time. However, costs could be saved in the long run if the city’s disease burden and level of food waste are diminished. Food waste is a huge problem in the United States; with researchers estimating that 40% of food is wasted per year (Baltimore Office of Sustainability, 2018). The 2016 Rethink Food Waste Through Economics and Data (ReFED) report considers the issue of food waste from the standpoint of the producer, stating that 20.2 billion pounds of farm-raised fruit and vegetable crops grown in the United States every year fails to reach the consumer market (ReFED, 2016). Much of this produce is perfectly healthy to eat, but may not meet supermarket standards due to abnormal appearance or overproduction of crops. The report specifically recommends that farmers should “collaborate with food businesses to further develop a secondary market for imperfect produce,” and grocery retailers should “boost revenues by marketing discounted imperfect produce” (ReFED, 2016). Baltimore corner stores could serve as effective grocery retailers to partner with farmers to carry out these recommendations, benefitting the store owner, the farmer, and the consumer. Corner stores would be able to obtain surplus or malformed produce directly from producers at a rate lower than the standard market price, farmers would be able to increase their profits by selling produce they would have otherwise had to discard, and consumers would be able to more easily access healthy food via the corner stores.

A staff member at the Baltimore City Health Department could be assigned to identifying farmers and corner stores willing to participate in the program and incorporating this into their workload. If necessary, an additional staff member could be hired with this task as their primary responsibility, or a committee could be formed in order to divide up the tasks. In 2017, the Baltimore City Health Department received a $150,000 grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission to support the Baltimarket program, including expanding the number of corner store partners by 40 stores over two years (Rock, 2017). Because the proposed incentive and grant share the common goal of expanding the number of Baltimarket’s corner store partners, some of these funds could potentially be used to finance staff time. If these funds have been exhausted, the Baltimore City Health Department could apply for an additional grant from another agency or foundation, citing the success of the initiative in Philadelphia or potential for reduction of food waste as a justification for funding.

Feasibility and sustainability

Feasibility can be defined as ease of implementation and sustainability can be defined as length of effective implementation. Linking Baltimore corner store owners to producers of healthy food would be both feasible and sustainable. The Baltimarket initiative has carried out substantial programming and garnered support from several partners and considerable funding since its inception in 2014. The proposed incentive has the benefit of this strong infrastructure and can build on what has already been accomplished in the city. In terms of feasibility, it is anticipated that both corner store owners and farmers will be willing and ready to participate in this program, as they both have the opportunity to derive financial benefits through increased product sales. If successful, this reciprocal partnership could also influence sustainability, as both parties will likely wish to continue their increased sales. Philadelphia’s Healthy Corner Store Initiative can also be used as a model for sustainability, as it has continued to achieve its goal of stocking corner stores with healthy items and expand its scope throughout the city since it was first developed in 2004.

Ethical acceptability

Ethical acceptability can be defined as the moral appropriateness of the intervention, including freedom for all parties involved to take autonomous actions. In terms of ethical acceptability, corner store owners and farmers will not be required to participate in the program and are free to choose depending on if it appeals to them or not. The voluntary nature of the incentive prevents either party from engaging in activities they do not believe will benefit them or their customers. If farmers and corner stores choose to participate in the program, food choices—both healthy and unhealthy—within the corner stores will also still be available to the customer, maintaining ethical sales practices. One could argue that the current sales practices in corner stores are actually unethical due to the absence of healthy choices. Based on this standard, providing healthy choices in corner stores would actually increase a store’s ethics by offering food choices that promote the health of the consumer in addition to food choices that do not. Participating in the program would also increase the social and environmental responsibility of farmers and storeowners through increasing residents’ health and minimizing food waste, which could be seen as a moral action.

Level of social and political will

Level of social and political will can be defined as eagerness of corner store owners, farmers, and government agencies to implement the program. As mentioned before, there will likely be a high level of social will amongst corner store owners and farmers due to the potential to increase product sales for both parties. There is also a high level of political will in the city of Baltimore to develop and improve initiatives surrounding the health of city residents, especially with respect to food and nutrition. This is evidenced by the Baltimore City Health Department’s many food access-related programs, which include the Baltimarket initiative, the Virtual Supermarket program, Healthy Stores program, Food Justice Forum, and Baltimore Food Policy Initiative (BCHD, 2019). The department has also released multiple food access-related publications, including Mapping the Food Environment and Food Environment Briefs for the city, council, and state legislative district. This wide array of programs and research signifies the Baltimore City Health Department’s commitment to improving the city’s health status through food access. The department will likely be willing and able to incorporate an additional initiative such as the one proposed if it has the potential to supply inexpensive, healthy food to city residents.

Conclusion

To begin implementation of the program linking corner store owners to local farmers to supply healthy produce, the Baltimore City Health Department should first identify the funding necessary for a staff member or a committee to take on the project. Once the appropriate funds have been secured, this individual or committee should begin researching local farms and the crops that they grow, and then proceed by reaching out to farmers and corner store owners to gauge interest in the program. The health department can then propose partnerships between interested farmers and corner store owners based on availability of specific products and location of each establishment. It is important to properly communicate the potential benefits of participating for each party involved. Once partnerships are formed, the health department can facilitate communication amongst parties to help arrange orders and deliveries, as well as survey corner stores to see what healthy products are being sold at what rates. Increased percentage of sales coming from healthy produce in a given corner store can serve as a metric of a successful intervention.

This intervention, either on its own or nested in a larger program like Baltimarket, could be successful in cities other than Baltimore. The Food Trust, the nonprofit organization that started the Healthy Corner Store Initiative in Philadelphia, has already successfully expanded their programs to multiple cities in Pennsylvania and the neighboring state of New Jersey (The Food Trust, 2019). Apart from an organizing body, the intervention only requires the cooperation of farmers and store owners. Both agriculture and small food retail establishments are heavily present throughout the country, so the intervention is highly possible to implement across the country. Selling surplus and malformed produce in small, accessible food retail establishments such as corner stores has the potential to increase profits for producers and retailers and positively influence the health of the consumers who shop at them.

References

1. BFPI. (2018) Baltimore City 2018 Food Environment Brief. https://planning.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/City%20Map%20Brief%20011218.pdf
2. Ross A, Krishnan N, Ruggiero C, Kerrigan D, Gittelsohn J. (2017) A mixed methods assessment of the barriers and readiness for meeting the SNAP depth of stock requirements in Baltimore’s small food stores. Ecol Food Nutr. 57(2):94-108. doi:10.1080/03670244.2017.1416362
3. Song H-J, Gittelsohn J, Kim M, Suratkar S, Sharma S, Anliker J. (2009) A corner store intervention in a low-income community is associated with increased availability and sales of some healthy foods. :1-8. doi:10.1017/S1368980009005242
4. Gittelsohn J, Franceschini MCT, Rasooly IR, et al. (2008) Understanding the Food Environment in a Low-Income Urban Setting: Implications for Food Store Interventions. J Hunger Environ Nutr. 2(2-3):33-50. doi:10.1080/19320240801891438
5. Baltimore City Health Department. (2014) Baltimarket Healthy Stores Program. https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/documents/Baltimarket-overview-Grant14-019.pdf
6. Rock, M. (2017) Baltimore City Health Department Announces New Funding to Improve Healthy Food Access. https://health.baltimorecity.gov/news/press-releases/2017-07-19-baltimore-city-health-department-announces-new-funding-improve
7. The Food Trust. (2014) Healthy Corner Store Initiative Overview. http://thefoodtrust.org/uploads/media_items/healthy-corner-store-overview.original.pdf
8. U.S. Census Bureau. (2017) QuickFacts: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/philadelphiacitypennsylvania
9. U.S. Census Bureau. (2017) QuickFacts: Baltimore, Maryland. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/baltimorecitymaryland,US/PST045217
10. Baltimore Office of Sustainability. (2018) Baltimore Food Waste & Recovery Strategy.
11. ReFED. (2016) A Roadmap to Reduce U.S. Food Waste by 20 Percent. https://www.refed.com/downloads/ReFED_Report_2016.pdf
12. BCHD. (2019) Chronic Disease Prevention: Food Access. https://health.baltimorecity.gov/programs/food-access

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It's important to get started on healthy eating early on. If you leave the objective of getting the kids to eat a balanced diet too late, it'll be more challenging to improve the practices they've learned. It is rather tough to make your kids agree for the healthy eating.However, there are certain techniques which you can use for the purpose of maintaining your children on the right and narrow way of eating healthy food.

The first thing you need to do to healthy eating for kids is to get tons of good tasting, balanced diet to allow them to eat at home. Make it possible for those to choose healthy food choices at home. Start with ensuring you have healthy food choices in your refrigerator and larder. You can't educate your kids to have a healthy diet plan if they're ornamented by candy, chocolates and fizzy refreshments. Understand that children are a perceptive number and they'll quickly detect any discrepancy between what you say and what you do.

Get your kids to help you select the fruit and veggies at the supermarket or supermarket. The sense of participation is essential. In the end, if your children have helped to find the food they're eating, they'll feel more covered and will want to consume it. Also if there's something they simply won't eat, no real matter what, and then getting them mixed up in purchase decision will at least save having to spend food at a later level. For shopping purpose, you can use the Health Discount Codes.

Encourage your kids to drink a great deal of water. Zero fat dairies are also good. And juice is healthy but can support up in the calorie stakes if indeed they take to ingesting an excessive amount of it. If your kids do create a taste for newly squeezed orange drink, buy one of the inexpensive hands squeezers and let them squash their own drink. It begins a healthy diet for your children and can also decelerate the tempo they drink the drink - squeezing a liter of drink by hand can take quite a while!

Eating alongside one another as a family group more regularly is an excellent way to talk about healthy-eating kids. The actual fact that you will be all seated together for meals rather than deciding on a quick snack on the path to somewhere else can make meals times more of a celebration. It will likely make you plan what your loved ones are consuming more carefully. And once you start taking into consideration the food you are eating, viewers everyone starts to consume more healthily.

Stop buying all the over-prepared, sugar and sodium-laden snacks and replace them with healthy alternatives like apples and bananas, low-fat yogurt, or celery with peanut butter. Carrots sticks and vibrant sliced up peppers with just a little low-fat ranch dressing are easy to get ready and have all set in the refrigerator.

Whole grain crackers and parmesan cheese or whole grain cooked crisps are a more excellent choice than poker chips and other deep-fried snacks. Turn your bakery and cereals to whole grain products. Children must have 4-6 portions of whole grains each day and bakery and cereal are suitable methods for getting them. Sugary beverages should be preserved for special events. Children ought to drink low-fat milk and a lot of water. The earlier you start this program of healthy eating for kids the earlier they'll learn lifelong behaviors of healthy eating.

Always try to say some encouraging words and give your child a proud smile when he/she choose well-balanced meals such as fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fruits, or low-fat dairy products. Praising your kids will encourage them more to consume healthy food. Limited food options for your children will actually improve the risk your son or daughter may develop eating disorders later in life. So, it isn't ideal so that you can ban certain foods, instead, you will need to speak about all the healthy and dietary options which a particular meal offers. Author BIO: I am Carl Daniel, Editor at CouponToaster. My main perspective is to provide knowledge about the smallest and largest swings in the ongoing world. All the information with authorized material is provided on my page.

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The food pyramid plays an important role to help guide and educate people of healthy lifestyles and eating habits among the majority of people in the United States. Throughout the United States, this guide is meant to show the public how to eat healthy and continuously stay healthy. Also, the United States Department of Agriculture established a ChooseMyPlate.Gov to help individuals choose healthier foods regarding their diets, specific needs, and allergies. To this day most of society does not know how to choose foods that are considered a part of a well-balanced diet. Often people will choose foods that are more fattening and greasy foods that are supposed to be good for our bodies and health. When trying to eat healthy it is not about how people look or depriving ourselves of the foods we enjoy the most, it is often about having enough energy to do daily activities and function property, having a positive outlook on our health and moods while feeling great about our future and health. Maintaining a healthy diet can help prevent major health scares or potentially becoming overweight. Having the ability and will-power to maintain a healthier diet, can make our everyday lives richer and more fulfilling going forward through General Recommendation of food, Functional Foods, and Vitamins as helpers and deficiencies.

Having the recommended intake of food each day is a way for our bodies to potentially stay healthy. As stated by Davidson and Penny, “MyPlate formula makes general recommendations in five categories: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and protein” (933). Common grains consist of barley, cornmeal, oats, and rice. Grains that people may be unfamiliar with are buckwheat, millet, rye, quinoa, sorghum, and triticale. Pasta, grits, oatmeal, bread, crackers, tortillas, and other foods are part of the grain family. Grains can be divided into two groups whole grains and refined grains. Also mentioned by Davidson and Penny, “MyPlate recommends that at least half of the grains that individual eats daily be whole grains” (933). Some examples of whole grains consist of whole wheat cereal, whole wheat bread, and whole wheat pasta. Refined grains use vitamins B and iron to help replace what is lost by the removal of germ and bran in foods. Examples of these foods include: white rice, crackers, flour tortillas, grits, pasta, corn flake cereal. The Vegetable category is divided into five different groups. As referenced by Davidson and Penny, “MyPlate recommends that people eat vegetables from all five groups over the course of a week” (934). First group Dark Green Vegetables which include: spinach, kale, turnip greens, broccoli, and collard greens. Second group Orange Vegetables including: carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and acorn squash. Third group Beans and Peas include: black beans, navy beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, lima beans, peas, and chickpeas. Fourth group Starchy Vegetables including: potatoes, corn, green peas, string beans, and finally the group Other Vegetables: artichokes, cauliflower, mushrooms, bean sprouts, onions, tomatoes, celery, and lettuce. Another category mentioned is Fruits, which can be either fresh, dried, canned or frozen. Most common fruits that people eat are apples, bananas berries, citrus fruits, grapes, pineapples, and mangoes. In addition, Dairy is another group which uses vitamin D as a source of protein and calcium. The milk group consists of these foods: yogurt, cheese, and desserts that use milk, ice cream, and pudding. Unfortunately, some people are lactose intolerant and can only eat lactose-reduced and lactose-free foods. The final group consists of a protein which includes four groups. Meats including: beef, pork, lamb, rabbit, and organ meat. Group two Poultry includes: chicken, turkey, and goose. Group three Fish and Shellfish the foods included are: catfish, salmon, tuna, and anchovies. Finally, Seeds and nuts included are: almonds, peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. These different food groups help people to stay on track by eating food that is beneficial for our bodies. These categories are a way for people to keep track of how they eat and what group it comes from.

Furthermore, Functional foods are sometimes believed to provide people with health benefits and nutrition by promoting better health and helping to reduce the risk of certain diseases or conditions. As stated by Alic, “Depending on the definition, functional foods can include various conventional foods containing bioactive component and other products” (568). Fruits include: tomatoes, citrus, grapes and any berries that contain anthocyanins. Vegetables include: garlic, broccoli, and other vegetables. Beans are a good source of fiber, folate, potassium, and protein. Nuts help control blood sugar levels and contain high magnesium levels, which can help lower blood pressure. Fish which include salmon and sardines have extremely high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, joint pain, and improves the brains development and function. Other types of functional foods may include certain foods and beverages which are enriched and possibly modified with bioactive compounds. Sometimes certain foods may have synthesized ingredients which could result in health benefits or are components of health benefits. As stated by Alic, “In plant foods phytochemicals or phytonutrients are also functional constituents” (570). These constituents consist of Carotenoids, and flavones which can help protect people against heart disease and cancer. Another type mentioned is Flavonoids and include: flavors of antioxidants, which can be found in: onions, broccoli, grapes, cocoa, and chocolate helps with heart problems along with berries and grapes which support brain function and stability. Phytoestrogens help with bone, brain and immune health, and in menopausal women. Phenolic acids have caffeic and ferulic acids which are in apples, and pears and help support healthy eyes and heart. Lignans found in flaxseed, rye, other nuts, carrots, and lentils help the heart to stay healthy and protects our immune system. Finally, Sugar alcohols in some of the foods may help in possibly reducing the risk of gum disease later in life. These foods are a way to help improve a child’s diet or help someone who is overweight or facing obesity. Consuming more nutritious foods than junk food can help everyone to have a more balanced diet.

In addition, Vitamins are considered chemical compounds that can be used to help us grow and help with our metabolism. As stated by Kim, and Jeffery, “There are thirteen vitamins, which may be divided into two groups:” (92). The first group consists of fat vitamins known as A, D, E, and K. Plus, the nine water vitamins, B and C. Vitamin A helps supports healthy teeth, soft tissue, and skin. Vitamin D, known as the “sunshine” vitamin is very important if a person unable to get the weekly recommended amount of sunshine, 15 minutes, four days a week. Vitamin E is also a factor in helping form red blood cells. One essential vitamin is Vitamin K because it works closely with vitamin E to create good blood health. Vitamin B6 helps in forming red blood cells and the maintenance of brain function, while Vitamin C helps our gums and teeth to be healthy. Also, when cooking it can destroy water vitamins faster than then fat vitamins which could be a major problem later in life. Also, stated by Kim and Jeffery, “With the depletion of water vitamins levels in the body it can lead to vitamin deficiency if the nutrients are not replaced daily” (92). These deficiencies might be the result of inadequate intake, and other unrelated foods. Although with vitamin K and biotin they are both produced by bacteria which live inside our intestines, deficiencies can result if the bacteria is removed by antibiotics. A deficiency of vitamin A can result in rough and dry skin and difficulty seeing in dim light. Another deficiency of vitamin D is deformed bones, stunted growth, and soft teeth. With adults, they might experience softened bones, spontaneous fractures and decay of teeth. Vitamin E deficiencies can result in malnutrition. Finally, Vitamin K has bleeding tendencies, anemia, and hemorrhages. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) includes: burning feet, rapid heart rate, and fatigue. B2 (Riboflavin) includes: corners of mouth becoming sore, appetite loss and fatigue. B3 (Niacin) includes: diarrhea and stomatitis. B5 (Pantothenic acid) includes: tingling of feet. B6 (Pyridoxine) includes: Nervous system disorders, sleeplessness, confusion, and depression. B9 (Folic acid) includes: anemia, weight loss, and redness of mouth. With Vitamin C gum deficiency infection can happen, dry eyes, hair loss, joint pain, cavities, and wounds healing slower. Other results of vitamin deficiency may include pregnancy, newborn development, drug interactions, and disease. These vitamins are used to help protect our bodies, keep us healthy and live longer. Without these specific vitamins, our bodies would be in a terrible state and our bodies would not be as healthy.

Overall, having set groups for different types of food educates people with options on how to live a healthy life. By knowing the benefits of foods being consumed on a daily basis, this can help in achieving a nutritious diet. Vitamins are the nutrients necessary to support growth, psychological functions, provide energy, strong bone health, and heart functions. Vitamins are a crucial part of our balanced diets in every food consumed and without them, our lives would be in jeopardy. By eating healthy and keeping the weight off people can potentially live longer and feel better about themselves and be able to start the day off right. With the consumption of these foods, everyone can learn to eat healthy by taking the time to see what products and ingredients they are ingesting into their bodies. How and what we eat is up to consumers who take the time and want to learn how to eat right. Americans tend to eat foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients. The importance of a nutrient-rich diet is invaluable.

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You’ve heard the saying “black don’t crack.” Glance at current photographs of 60-year-old Angela Bassett, 65-year-old Chaka Khan, 69-year-old Debbie Allen or 70-year-old Phylicia Rashad. Even look at supermodels 48-year-old Naomi Campbell or 63-year-old Iman. Seniors? Technically. “Stunning” is the most accurate way to describe them.

But with that said, what goes into the bodies of these varied shades of chocolate matter too. Now we’re not saying you have to dive into veganism the way Chaka Khan and Phylicia Rashad did. Salmon, eggs and dark chocolate (which sometimes has dairy in it) are commonly listed as healthy foods.

But some healthy food items specifically target healthier skin, and we want to share a few of the more popular ones. You can find these in your everyday produce or dry food section in Walmart, Target and other common retail stores. These are but a few examples to include on your next grocery list. While we definitely believe that moisturizers such as shea butter and essential oils for physical and mental health are also important, paying attention to what goes inside of your body is just as significant.

So how do you start incorporating foods like these above into your food regimen the same way you do with your skincare? Start a little at a time, especially if some of these aren’t your cup of tea. For example, if you make spaghetti, use whole wheat pasta and tomatoes but then mix in a teaspoon of flaxseed. Get used to the texture of it all before you start trying to eat these items on their own. Or, maybe if you make a big pot of collard greens, make apricots your dessert. If fresh versions aren’t your cup of tea, dried apricots are pretty good. They also have dietary fiber and iron. These are but a few ways to get creative in the kitchen. Tell us in the comment section what your creative ideas are for healthy eating to keep your skin glowing. Maybe we can all trade a few recipes.

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When browsing the local grocery store, it can be easy to slip tasty-looking convenience items and treats into your cart. While many nutritious and healthy choices abound, there are also many tempting foods that are not only lacking in nutrition but may also be harmful to your health. The following are 11 unhealthy foods you should never consume, along with suggestions for healthier options that will treat your taste buds and nourish your body.

Salty, crunchy potato chips may taste great, but the pleasure they give is short-lived. Furthermore, potato chips contain salt, fat, and calories with no nutritional value to redeem them. Pretzels may seem like a healthier choice, but these crunchy morsels are made of refined white flour and plenty of salt, which can add pounds to your middle and raise your blood pressure. If you find yourself with a hankering for crispy, crunchy goodness, better options are low-salt veggie chips, whole grain crackers, or plain air-popped popcorn. Better yet, give a crispy stalk of celery or nutrient-packed baby carrots a try.

While a bubbly cola may hit the spot on a hot day, these beverages are laden with sugar and caffeine with no nutritive benefits. According to University Health News, sodas contribute to the development of fat around the liver. Sodas also cause an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Sodas can also contribute to osteoporosis either by replacing calcium-rich beverages like milk or by leaching calcium from bones. Sugar-free sodas are no better with their artificial chemical flavorings. Furthermore, studies suggest that even sugar-free sodas can cause weight gain. Keep your body refreshed and invigorated with plain or sparkling water instead of sodas.

Bread, a basic staple of so many cultural meals, has been referred to as the staff of life. However, the white breads typically consumed in American households are made from flour that has been highly processed. Refined white flour is processed to remove the bran and germ from the wheat. Doing so results in a flour with a finer texture and a longer shelf life, However, in this process, important nutrients are removed as well. This results in bread that provides empty calories and causes spikes in blood sugar that suddenly drop leaving you feeling hungry. Ditch white breads and enjoy whole grain varieties that provide nutrients as well as flavor.

While fruit juices may sound healthy since they come from fruit sources, they provide little more than sugar. Fruit juices retain some of the vitamins and minerals contained in whole fruit. However, they lack the fiber of whole fruits that prevents spikes in blood sugar and promotes good digestion. If you love the taste of a fruity beverage, try squeezing a twist of lemon or lime into an icy glass of water. Or enjoy a naturally sweet fruit smoothie made from frozen chunks of whole fruit.

Pre-packaged muffins, cookies, and cakes contain mostly fat, sugar, and empty calories. These items are often made with refined white flour and plenty of refined sugar as well as added chemical preservatives. When craving a sweet snack, prepare your own muffins or cakes at home using fresh ingredients and whole grains like wheat flour or oats. Allrecipes has a recipe for No-Bake Energy Bites that taste like a forbidden spoonful of chocolate chip cookie dough. However, they are made from healthy ingredients including peanut butter, oats, flaxseed, and honey.

Fried foods are notoriously bad for you as the foods soak up excess oil while cooking. Fried potatoes, such as French fries, have the added danger of forming a dangerous compound called acrylamide while frying. According to the American Cancer Society, acrylamide is a probable human carcinogen that forms when certain starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures. Studies suggest that fried foods contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Rather than frying meats or vegetables, try grilling them or roasting them in the oven.

Margarine was first introduced as a healthy alternative to butter. However, many margarines contain saturated fats. These fats raise your bad cholesterol, lower your good cholesterol, and contribute to the risk of heart disease. Solid or stick margarines contain more saturated fats that spreadable margarines. If you choose to use margarine, compare labels and choose one without trans fats. A healthier alternative is olive oil, which contains the healthy monounsaturated fats your body needs.

Processed cheese isn’t really cheese. Processed cheese refers to cheese spreads, American cheese slices, and cheese products, and cheese foods that resemble cheese, but actually contain many artificial ingredients and fillers. The American Chemical Society found that processed cheeses typically contain some type of dried milk or whey along with emulsifiers, sweeteners, oils, and stabilizers. If the taste of cheese is what you crave, indulge in the real thing. Although real cheese can contain fat and sodium, it also is high in the calcium and protein your body needs.

The convenience of spending a few minutes in a drive-through and taking home a cheap meal can be very tempting. However, fast food meals are often high in calories, drenched in grease, and loaded with sodium. Furthermore, many fast food meals contain highly processed food products with content that bears little resemblance to the foods they represent. If saving time is your goal, seek out simple recipes that can be prepared quickly at home using fresh, whole ingredients. Or invest in a crockpot and toss in a few ingredients each morning so you can come home to a hot meal each evening.

Canned products can be good sources of nutrients. However, many canned products are made with high salt content in order to preserve freshness. Salt can wreak havoc on your body by raising your blood pressure and putting you at risk for heart disease and stroke. Skip the canned soups and make your own using vegetable broth or homemade chicken broth. If you do choose to use canned soups, check the labels and choose those that are lower in sodium.

Processed meats such as bacon, deli meats, and sausages may taste delicious, but they can be dangerous to your health. The World Health Organization has determined that processed meats can cause cancer. The American Cancer Society states that consuming the equivalent of four slices of bacon or one hot dog each day can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%. Additionally, consumption of red meats can increase your risk of pancreatic, colorectal, and prostate cancer. To decrease your risk of cancer, healthier choices are beans, poultry, or fish.

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