Food Fix
Mark Hyman, Dr.
22 min
8 Key Points
4.4 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the profound impact of food choices on our health and environment, and learn practical strategies to improve both personal health and global sustainability, one bite at a time.
You'll learn
1. How our food habits link to big problems like obesity and climate change2. Tips for picking healthier, earth-friendly food3. The food industry's effect on our health and planet4. Ways to push for better food policies5. How to make your local food scene healthier and greener6. The money perks of changing how we do food.Key points
01What you eat affects your body and mind
Let's talk about food. Not just any food, but the kind that fuels our bodies and minds. You see, it's not just about how many calories we eat, but where those calories come from. Imagine you've got 100 calories to spend. You could use them on a fizzy soda, but that's like burning a quick fuse. Sure, it's a burst of energy, but it's followed by a crash that leaves you feeling sluggish and hungry. Now, what if you spent those same 100 calories on a handful of almonds? That's a different story. The healthy fats and protein in almonds give you steady energy and keep you feeling satisfied for longer. But here's the kicker. Even though we have plenty of food in America, most of us aren't getting the nutrients we need. Over 90% of us are missing out on essential vitamins and minerals. Why? Because our plates are piled high with processed foods. These foods are packed with additives and low on nutrients. In fact, the average American eats between 3-5 pounds of additives each year. That's a recipe for chronic diseases. But don't lose hope. There's good news too. Eating healthy can make a big difference. In Philadelphia, a study found that when patients were given nutritious meals for a year, their hospital visits dropped by half. And when they did end up in the hospital, their stays were 30% shorter. Now, eating healthy sounds simple, right? But it's not always easy. The quality of our food is tangled up in a web of economic, political, ecological, and social issues. To really improve our diets and our health, we need to untangle this web. So, what's the takeaway? Our food choices matter. A lot. By choosing foods that are rich in nutrients over processed, additive-filled options, we can boost our health and lower our risk of chronic disease. But to make these healthier choices easier, we need to tackle the bigger issues that shape our food supply.
02The food system, not just bad food, is making us sick
Let's take a moment to think about where our food comes from. Imagine a hamburger, for instance. It's not just about the beef patty or the bun, but the whole journey from seed to plate. Once upon a time, we had a bunch of small seed companies, each offering a variety of seeds. This diversity was good for our food system, making it strong and resilient. But then, big corporations started buying these small companies. Now, just four of these giants control over 60% of the seed market. And they don't just sell seeds, they also sell pesticides and herbicides to protect the crops. One of these herbicides is called glyphosate. It's used so much in the US that it ends up in almost everything we eat, from bread to sushi. Even a tiny bit of this stuff can mess with our gut health, which is super important for our overall wellbeing. As we grow crops, the soil gets tired and needs more chemicals to keep going. These chemicals can also come from the water used to water the crops. The crops soak up these nasties, which then end up in our food. It's the same story with animals. Farms are often overcrowded and dirty, leading to diseases. To keep the animals healthy, farmers add antibiotics to their feed. Guess where those antibiotics end up? Yep, in the meat we eat. By the time that hamburger lands on your plate, it's been on a journey filled with chemicals and additives. Not all hamburgers are like this, but it's a common story in our food system. The sad part is, most of us don't know about this journey. Some companies even try to hide it. This system is like a hamster wheel, with farmers and us, the consumers, stuck in it. Without help from the government, farmers often have no choice but to use pesticides, which hurts the soil and means more chemicals are needed. On the flip side, many of us can't afford organic food and go for the cheaper options, unknowingly supporting this harmful system and hurting our health. The first step to fixing this is to understand the link between politics, farming, and the environment. Our food system is tied up with all three, and changes in one can affect the others. Once we get this, we can start making better choices and push for a healthier, more sustainable food system.
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03Cut down on chemicals in your food
04Let's make school lunches better and healthier
05The government should make good food available for everyone
06Big companies are risking our health for profit
07Healthy food and a green planet start with good soil
08Conclusion
About Mark Hyman, Dr.
Dr. Mark Hyman is a practicing family physician, a ten-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the Director the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. He is also the founder and medical director of The UltraWellness Center.
