Sorry I’ve been a Food Babe slacker this week. When I started this blog, I had every intention to post something useful or meaningful every few days – but I’ve been a little sidetracked. I am currently spending Father’s Day today watching my father get better in the hospital. It’s the fifth day that he has been here and is the last place I thought I would be celebrating with my father today.
My father is the most loving and selfless person I know. For most of his life, he tried to spend every waking moment helping other people. My father never cared about what he put in his body or keeping up with his health. If you know him, you know this – he will help anyone before he helps himself.
I love him so much for all the things he does for me and for other people, but this is the reason he is here in the hospital today.
Seeing this and experiencing what can happen to you if you don’t care for yourself and don’t make your health your number one priority can be an eye opening experience, to say the least.
I’ve learned a lot about the health care system through my own experiences but this week has really been the turning point in my realization how things are so f%$ed up.
Watching what can happen to you has made me even more passionate about taking care of myself and the people in my immediate surroundings. No one is going to take care of you or your family unless you do. If you have control over what your family eats or do the grocery shopping or the cooking, it is absolutely paramount that you take this responsibility seriously and educate yourself about what food can do to help the body and to harm it.
If you don’t buy the bad food, the food industry, restaurants, fast food joints, etc will start to realize this. The more you line their pockets full of money, the more they are going to feed you chemicals. A lot of people feel helpless and don’t realize the control they have in this matter. You must vote with your dollars, everyday and every time you eat.
Here are some of the books & movies that I hope you will check out if you already haven’t to help you and your families become educated about Food. This is no where near a comprehensive list of the books or movies I’ve used to educate myself – if you need more recommendations on a specific topic, please feel free to email me or send me a message on my Facebook page.
Books:
Food Rules by Michael Pollan
In the Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell
The End of Overeating by David Kessler
The Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O’Brien
Master your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels
Spiritual Nutrition by Gabriel Cousens
Living Foods Revolution by Cherie Calbom
Juice Lady’s Guide to Juicing Health by Cherie Calbom
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
Movies:
Forks over Knives
The Future of Food
Food Matters
Food Inc.
King Corn
Super Size Me
Now I need some reader feedback. Knowing what I know today has left me with a lot of ethical questions in my mind.
If I have food in my house that someone else brought over or I bought by mistake and it has harmful chemicals in it…Do I donate it or just throw it away? There are a lot of starving people in the world, I feel bad wasting food. And its even more difficult for me to donate it, knowing that I am feeding the the less fortunate dangerous food. What would you do?
What if I see my family or friends eating something harmful, do I say something or just leave it alone? My brother already calls me the food police. Have you experienced this? How does your family react?
I cannot believe what I just read. Vani, I hope you asked the hospital to see this blog. Good work. God bless you and your family.
Toni
Thank you so much for your blessings. The more I think about what happened the more I get upset. I hope sharing this information here will help people avoid future incidents like this from occurring.
That is totally inexcusable and an eye opener into what is messed up with our health system. Good show!
Rusty – I wonder what your practice & health care was like in India?
We don’t have a Health System…It’s a Disease Maintenance System…js
Great blog. You are uncovering some startling information. We are glad you are closely watching over your Dad at the hospital. It’s crazy to think that a place you go to get well can actually make you sicker due to their negligence.
And they say we have the best in the USA?
Vinay – You are right on. Just because we spend the most money on health care than any other place in the world doesn’t make it the best. A lot of things need to change from the bottom up. We need to get to the root cause, or it will just continue to spiral downward.
Vani, I love this post!!! Both of my grandmothers are currently recovering in convalescent facilities and I could not agree more about the negligence that is served at every meal. The problem is healthcare, like so much in the U.S, is a money-making, penny-pinching business, much to the sacrifice of the patient.
PLEASE keep donating your food that you do not need or will not eat! Partially unhealthy food is far better than no food at all and, in most cases, the food you have to offer is probably superior to what they would be served otherwise!
To your other point, there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism as long as it isn’t presented in a condescending manner! I have already advised people in the fitness center about smoking issues and, while they may not listen, they understand! Totally worth it! Change only starts if someone has the courage to voice the need for it!
Keep up the great work and keep cracking down on that crap they serve up in the hospital!
Thank you Jeremy – Awesome feedback. I am happy to report that Flex & Fit contacted me after reading my blog and is going to do their best to carry coconut water!
My love and blessings to your grandmothers!
Food Babe
I am not so sure of coconut water in a fitness center being such a good idea. It is known to contain a lot of potassium and after a strenuous work out one tends to lose more sodium than potassium. So the balance can get messed up but then that is debatable. Give me simple old WATER anyway- hydrates, cleanses and detoxifies!
I agree!!! Drink water before, during and after exercise. However, I still think coconut water does provide some natural electrolytes and carbohydrates which is great to replenish after a good sweat. My point to Flex and Fit was to offer something natural vs. chemicals in the form of gatorade.
That is just so sad Vani! The menus in the hospitals really need to be looked at and redone to more healthy friendly.
I will be praying for your Dad’s speedy recovery.
I hope your Dad feels better soon.
Vani,
Amazing job on the blog this week. I am so glad you are there by your dad’s side. Working in the health care industry it saddens me that there are so many mistakes being made in the places we think are supposed to make our bodies better. Doctors and administrators need to be more aware of how these issues ultimately affect public health and what kinds of examples they are setting by serving these foods. Keep up the good work and I’ll do my best to fwd this article to all my hospital contacts.
Give you dad my love and I hope he is home and well soon.
Shalini – Thanks for your kind comments. I’d love to hear and learn more about the issues you witness.
I’ve friended you on Facebook… and hope it’s ok to post this here… I’ve got a long list of related books, movies, and resources / websites on my blog:
http://gmo-awareness.com/
Like you, Robyn was a big inspiration for me. Keep up the great work you’ve started here… every bit of awareness we can share can and will help shift this awful food tide!!!
And warm, positive thoughts to your dad.
I love your site. Thank you for sharing. I just started this blog about 2 months ago now and will be creating a links page – I definitely plan to include it on there!
Interesting information!
I moved to Charlotte about two weeks ago. I’m a Personal Chef and was considering teaching cooking classes at Flex & Fit. When I spoke to the manager I asked him if I would be able to create the menu. He told me that the menu is set for now, at least in the beginning, but maybe in the future. I haven’t checked out Flex & FIt yet, but your information left me with something to consider. Thanks!
Chef Laura at Home
http://www.laurajanelli.posterous.com
http://www.facebook.com/cheflauraathome
sorry for the late response! I hope you and your family are doing better…and we got to check out flex and fit before they opened. It is an interesting concept, I am curious to see if people like.
Thanks for your thoughts! I want to take a class at Flex and Fit soon since it is right across the street from work.
P.S. I bought two bags of your amazing kale pumpkin crackers to take on a trip with me this weekend.
Vani- I came across a group that currently runs an initiative out west in Washington promoting healthy foods in hospital settings. It is called the Healthy Food in Health Care Initiative and is sponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibilty (PSR- I believe a lobby group). It seems like their goal is to no only promote healthy habits in a health care setting, but to attempt to influence change outside of the health care system as well. Michigan has endorsed it, but I am unsure if other states will follow. Given the economy, I would doubt it at this point. The link to their website is here:
http://www.psr.org/chapters/washington/enviro-health/healthy-food-initiative.html
I know this is probably a bit off-focus for your blog, but it is definitely a related issue and one that, in my opinion, certainly deserves more attention! 🙂 I hope this one day expands beyond hospitals to convalescent facilities as well!
I think that if you try to change someone’s eating habits that you really care about, you may want to make it easy for them. Make them a delicious dinner once a week. Take it as a personal challenge to help those closest to you get super healthy but make it as easy and enjoyable for them as possible. Also take it in stride if you get resistance but be persistent.
I like your website and your posts. I hope your dad will be better soon and will take it to heart to take better care of himself. If I can make the calls, I’ll sign up later today.
I think that is such a tough question!! I ask myself the same thing constantly!! I will be following to see what others think 🙂
Vani
I applaud you for what you do. I took care of my father for ten years. He passed three years ago. I started my journey to organic/non GMO several years ago. But taking care of a picky eater who was not used to the changes made me lose my focus. This past year I was exhausted, depressed and generally feeling completely stressed. I needed to change. I happened to find the book and blog “Oh She Glows” and that restarted my goals to eat healthy. I began to research. I began to become more of an activist. I became horrified at what Big Ag /Big Pharma are doing to us in the name of profit. I remember the first day I went to a Garden center and asked if they had non-GMO seeds. They looked at me as if I were crazy – they had no idea what I was talking about. Since I went completely organic/no-GMO I have lost twenty pounds. My skin is amazing. I have energy, and I don’t count a single calorie. I regret feeding my father the foods I did – he loved his bran flakes and milk – every morning. I had no idea it was full of growth hormone. I blindly trusted that what was in the supermarket was allowed because it was safe for us. How many times have I seen patients in a hospital – when they are the most ill and weak – being give jello!
You are doing the right thing. You are doing SOMETHING. 🙂
Dear Vani
You should have kept your dad at home and nursed him with health foods. He is now under a sick care system which will ruin his health further with toxic substances. I wish him a speedy recovery under your personal care.
Hospitals are as corporate-like as many of the food companies you’ve blasted over the years. Why would they want to make you healthier if they have the chance for your repeat business? The bottom line is that they are looking for the cheapest way to feed patients, regardless of the long-term effects of the ingredients. In your case with your father getting a non-diabetic menu, that was pure negligence on the nurse’s part and s/e should certainly be accountable for that as separate matter.
I hope your father is well today as I see this post is a few years old. Happy Father’s Day to him!
I would love to see you start a campaign for better hospital food, including better food for visitors. I am appalled there is a Chik-fil-A here in Charlotte at CMC. I have to smell it every time I go to my dr’s office.
I am not surprised by this information regarding hospital food. When I was told I had stage 3c cancer and I started treatment I was told eat anything you want–milkshakes, potatoes and gravy, etc. This was over five years ago and I knew what sugar could do to benefit cancer growth. I asked EACH doctor I was sent to and they all gave me the same information. When I asked why this was recommended instead of healthy food that could rebuild the body “patient has eating issues” was written in my chart by one healthcare provider. So, I was spoken to about my so called eating issues. You can only imagine what I had to say! Happy Father’s Day to your dad.
Hi Vani, I am so grateful to you and all your amazing work! Thank you so much for inspiring and educating us on these vital issues about what we put in our bodies daily. In my house I quote you daily, “the Food Babe says…” My family protest sometimes but they are onboard with me because we all realize how important it is to eat healthy, wholesome, good food.
I wish your dad a speedy recovery. I cannot believe what the hospital is serving! At least you are there to monitor what your dad eats.
I think that it is better to give the food to someone less fortunate than thow it away.
In regards to telling people about eating better, I always speak up, and some people want to change and learn more while others are not interested.
Please keep up the great work and thank you again for everything you do!!!
The exact same thing happened to my mother-in-law. Even though they knew she was diabetic, they said her sugars were good and they gave her ice cream, jello, cake and pudding, what!
Nikken is a Total Wellness Company and we are partnered with Healthy Child Healthy World
Thanks for keeping us informed.
I am an RN at a large teaching hospital in Michigan and unfortunately this is all too common….what we teach and offer as “nutrition” is a sorry excuse for whole, nutrient-dense foods and chemically preserved junk. It’s become more about keeping pts happy versus actually feeding them what they need based on their disease process, because happy patients are repeat patients and keep the Press Ganey scores high–but happy patients are very often not healthy patients. Health care in the US is not health care but “sick care”–and a business like any other. It’s about keeping customers, and there is not nearly as much money in well people as much as sick people. It is totally our responsibility to care for ourselves!!! Stay out of the system!
I share your dilemma regarding what to buy and donate. I understand the argument that if you’re starving, any food is better than no food, but is the potential for harm worth it?
Frankly, I know of people, myself included, who suffer from food allergies that are so severe that it’s been hard to find food that’s safe to eat. Grocery stores and fast food places are around every corner, but I can’t just go in and buy and eat. After years of pain and suffering, I can honestly say – a year and a half into healing and recovery – that I would prefer a small amount of healthy food to a feast of food laden with toxins.
I am more than willing to donate and help those less fortunate, but I’ve decided that I won’t donate to any food bank that won’t at least make accommodations for people with food allergies. That allows me to donate according to my conscience, but it allows for others who want to donate – and eat – “main stream” to do so.
I would love to see everyone eat healthy, but there will always be people who base their eating on what they can eat, not what they should. I don’t want to dictate, I want to educate. That means allowing people the freedom to make the wrong choice. Having said that, I agree with you about purchasing power. If I shop with my conscience, even for other people – and if all of us in the know would do the same – it would affect profits and maybe some of these companies would take a more serious look at what they’re putting in their products.
Vani,
First, I want to thank you so much for the work that you do. I am currently completing my residency after graduating medical school in 2012. I chose my specialty (Neuromusculoskeletal medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine), based on the fact that I can help people get well with my hands and by more, what some would call, “alternative methods”. Alternative, meaning, looking at how people care care of themselves. The CORE of what you are posting about. I’m not talking about herbs and supplements, I’m asking patients to take a look at their food (food IS medicine!), and activity level. You would not believe the amount of “Fibromyalgia” patients, chronic pain patients, MS patients, Diabetic patients, who have literally have their lives CHANGE just by becoming aware of what they put into their bodies. The healthcare system does not think about any of these things. In medical school I had a ONE HOUR lecture on nutrition. ONE HOUR. Medicine enables people to continue living their lives without making any changes. I have worked with family doctors that have prescribed cholesterol medicine and high blood pressure medicine before allowing the patient 3 months to change their lifestyle. Their reasoning is, “well, they aren’t going to do it.” My thought is, “Maybe they would if they knew HOW to and why!” The problem is doctors themselves do not know how. And they are too busy to take the time to talk to patients about it. It is easier to prescribe a pill instead of solving the real issue. As far as hospital food, it is horrifying what they give sick people. Whatever you do, don’t look at the ingredients of what they serve because I have. The food is full of toxic things that I would NEVER feed ANYONE, let alone sick people. As a hospital employee, I get free food. All of my physician colleges think I am just crazy because I bring my own food to work. I just say, “I don’t want to ever end up in a hospital. I’m young, I care about my fertility, mobility, and health.” Did I mention I am the only one in my age bracket at work that isn’t overweight and/or taking some kind of medication? And don’t even get me started on GMOs. Most doctors think they are great because they are “solving the worlds food shortage” which both of us know is a load of BS.
So there you go. A young doctor’s thought’s on what you have brilliantly written here. There are a few of us out there! We can make a difference!
I share your website with everyone I can and I frequently share your articles on Facebook. You have helped many of my patients. THANK YOU AGAIN!
Sadly, my health change is new to me and my family. I wish I would have woken up sooner. We have 6 children and I go to the food pantry at least 2 times a week. I must look selfish and ungrateful while there bc I read labeles and put back so much. I am thankful for what we do get but food pantries are difficult. I would love to grow an organic garden in my area for those that need it. It’s all based on the mighty dollar. I have aligned myself with (in my opinion) the safest most caring knowledgeable company, to start taking care of my health. I am so thankful Usana found me, I just wish it was way earlier.
Thank you for your blogs and posts and the work you are doing you will move mountains and your heart and voice are and will be heard.
God bless
Alicia
My mother, also a diabetic, was in the hospital a few years ago and was on a “diabetic diet” It was terrible. There were no greens on the plate and it was filled with white everything. They were wondering why she wasn’t eating and I kept telling them she didn’t eat white or processed foods like bread, potatoes and rice. Couldn’t wait to get her home to eat whole foods! I wish your father well.
My heart goes out to you. My mother didn’t eat well either and became very ill. It’s hard to watch your beloved parent not only be sick, but get fed unhealthy food while they are trying to heal. Like you are to your father, I was my mom’s warrior and tried my best to get her healthy choices. Keep up the good work you do and blessings to your father!
My experience with hospital food is similar. The Drs were telling my vegetarian cousin (gravely ill and waiting for a heart), she needed to eat the meat because she needed the protein. How about some plant protein instead? We need to change the system. No more meat or dairy folks. It’s making everyone sick. Get rid of the GMOs and go strictly organically only.
Your posts inspire me to speak out against the backwards thinking I see within the hospital system I work for. For instance, they would regularly send out email blasts to all employees announcing special sales of cases of soda at our cafeteria. I sent an anonymous letter to our CEO to point out how this practice is in conflict with our mission statement which states that we promote health. I was so happy when soon thereafter I realized those emails were no longer going out! Recently, I received a McDonald’s gift card in the mail from the hospital system for my birthday. It appears that another letter is in order. We have to speak up for ourselves and for the health of those around us who may not know better. Thank you for your work and may we all keep it up!
I wanted to add a title to your book list – I read RICH FOOD POOR FOOD (Jayson and Mira Caulton) last summer and it was an eye opener and eventually led me to you website :). Thank you for all that you do!!
After reading many of your posts. I have learned to educate myself about what I am eating and drinking. I changed my diet to organic veggies which my family eats a lot of. Then went to grass fed cows and uncaged chicken. Drinking infused water with natural fruit and herbs. I have to admit it is still hard to eliminate processed food out of our diet because its everywhere and cost less. My kids are eight and under so I don’t give them the choice to choose what they think is healthy for them. I have been teaching them slowly. As for my husband he was the hardest one to have jump on board. His complaint was it’s to expensive and he likes flavor. So what I did is took control of our shopping. He couldn’t really tell the difference with the organic veggies verses store bought pesticides. I am slowly taking away the junk food such as chips and cookies. I have been learning to make food from scratch with healthy ingredients. So I say if no one else is making the change in the family then who will. My husband would not. But once I made the change he knew I wasn’t turning back. He is gradually taking steps to a acknowledging the healthier life style. He now asks me when I will be going to the farmers market and he has secretly been trying my infused waters out of his own curiosity but has not cut out soda just yet. So pretty much I didn’t give him a choice either I just rolled with the punches and took a chance. I feel like if I keep it up we will be one step closer to being completely free of processed food.
My husband is a chef and food stylist and I am a science teacher. We, ourselves eat organic, non GMO foods, locally sourced if possible, with a mostly vegetarian diet during the week. We have grass fed beef and bison, organic cage free poultry, wild caught salmon etc. on weekends. We use farro,, quinoa, freekeh, black rice, beans and other legumes plus organic, non GMO tempeh and tofu, nuts and chia seeds for proteins, complex carbs and fiber. We do eat eggs, cage free and use olive oil and coconut oil to cook (coconut oil is awesome to bake with.). We have been doing this for years and are pretty hard core about what we put in our bodies. At first one can get almost militant about this. My husband was especially after his mom, diabetic, stroke and heart attack survivor, to alter her diet. She’s a package food queen, seems like the more artificial the ingredients are, she buys it. Dinners became unpleasant because she’s stubborn and he wants her to be healthy. We now choose our battles with her because at nearly 85 she has proven she isn’t going to change, and we want to enjoy time with her, and not have every meal turn into a nutrition lesson. We don’t eat the most egregiously artificial food she prepares and choose what is healthiest at her table. We wouldn’t insult her by bringing our own food, except for the dishes we are asked to prepare for family meals and pot lucks. We only see her a few times a year so it’s a give and take during our visits. We HAVE had great success with his siblings, and were so happily surprised that the quinoa salad we brought to a family gathering was so eagerly devoured while unhealthy fare was left sitting in bowls. We know these foods can be expensive, but I grow a lot of our own herbs, and veggies. We also actually save quite a bit of money with our limited meat and poultry intake. So long story with regard to family. Start gently and small with a dish or two. When they taste how delicious it is, they ask about it. It takes time to change the effects of learned behavior, advertising (which is insidious–I have seen apples marked “fat free, gluten free!” ) and taste buds. This is what I do in my classroom too: offer opportunities to try healthy snacks so the students who may never have tasted the food, get a chance to learn that it does taste good. As for what to do with food that is less healthy, my husband often has huge amounts of food left over from his work on food shoots or dinners. Most of it is innocuous, but not stuff we’d eat. There are a whole crew of homeless people living under a viaduct who “dumpster dive” for food so absolutely we donate the breads, crackers, lunch meats, snack bars, cheeses, fruits, cereals, etc. we also donate the home baked fudges and cookies we get at Christmas for gifts as there is just too much of it and the ingredients aren’t organic. This is better than throwing it away because them going hungry is worse than them eating it. I think life is about balance; and we’ve learned to make the best choice in that moment. Would we want his mom to change completely? Yes. Will she? No, so we aren’t going to get everyone all stressed out which is bad for us too. As for the hospital, family members must be advocates for the hospitalized and not just about food. On more than one occasion I have found mistakes in dosages, incorrect information, etc. on charts. Nurses are harried and dietitians sometimes seem to be uninformed. My husband just did a segment on network news on eye health and he was talking beforehand to the dietician who was presenting foods he prepared for eye health. He was surprised to hear her tout “a calorie is a calorie” no matter the food source and that “coconut oil is a fad.” We’ve got a long way to go to get doctors, nurses and dietitians to see the benefits of healthy eating. Step by step, one foot in front of the other.
The health care industry is the biggest profit maker in the U.S. Read this incredibly insightful look inside how the system really works and how to protect yourself from being a victim:
http://www.nationalaccountexecutives.com/worth-the-read-a-bitter-pill-by-steven-brill.html
Hospitals!! This is crazy!!
Great work!
Great read.
Off topic, but I only ask, because I feel the need to put Franks Red Hot Sauce on everything. My brain is telling me this can’t be good, because it tastes too good.
Does anyone have any info on this topic? Or healthier alternatives!
I’m loving the cayenne pepper, lemon water, every morning.
Thanks!
MC
http://www.labelwatch.com/prod_results.php?search=1&pid=322011
Ingredients for franks red hot sauce from label watch.
Hope your dad feels better soon. I have convinced my parents to change a lot of things as well but sometimes change is just hard for them. My extended family thinks I don’t know what I am talking about and they can’t change because it’s too expensive, it’s frustrating! My grandmother is a recovering cancer patient and has ensure everyday!! It’s full of crap but I can’t do anything since I am out of state. Thanks for all your research, it’s a time saver for me!
I went through this horror when my diabetic and elderly mother was alive and in hospital. That time I was less informed and experienced, but enough to realize that so much was wrong with hospital food.
Four years ago, my teenage son was hit by a car while riding a bike. Once he recovered enough to move out of ICU (but not yet on anything but an I.v., so not taking anything by mouth), I called the nurse in charge and told her that when he was ready to have ANYTHING by mouth, to let me know ahead of time what it was, and that I’d supply it myself. I was blessed that near by was a healthy market with a first rate deli/cafe. I spoke with the head of the kitchen of the deli/cafe at that store, and arranged to have him reserve some organic broth that was used as stock for all their soups (made fresh at that store). I found ginger kombuchka to replace the garbage drinks the hospital would offer.
At some point, the head person of the hospital’s dietary department called me to ask my permission to order some organic yogurt and oatmeal for my son.
I’m appalled that considering what we know in this day and age about nutrients, cellular biology, how the body’s systems work holistically etc., that the typical hospital garbage would be offered as food. Considering that the bodies there are fighting from the trauma of injury, or to overcome disease and illness, I find it not only reprehensible, but evil. It seems that food is served based on profit, and not healing. How could that not be evil when it involves the most vulnerable?
One day, people are going to look at what we particularly fed the injured and ill in our hospitals as being as ignorant as when doctors once refused to wash their hands.
This is my story on ABC , I had a heart attack at the age of 42 , even after open heart surgery , I suffered because the Dr’s missed and didn’t check my aorta therefore had another bypass .. While in the hospital it made me more sick eating the crap they served .. You’re absolutely RIGHT! We must take control of what we eat and feed our children ..
Hey Vani,
I’m a huge fan of yours.
I tried changing my family’s eating habits but it just annoys them every time I buy groceries from the organic store. Last week I threw out everything that’s kraft from our fridge, especially the jellos and salad dressing. This lead my parents to buy me my own fridge for my birthday , for me to put my own “special ” food in it and not intervene with their usual eating habbits.
I’m also deeply sorry for your father hope he gets well soon !
Food Babe,
Please watch the BBC video at this link. It is awesome and may help your dad. You are a good kid!
http://www.disclose.tv/action/viewvideo/110651/BBC_Horizon_2012_Eat_Fast_and_Live_Longer/
I am very careful and mindful about the food that I eat and I only donate what I myself purchase which is getting more and more healthy thanks to you. Friends who come over to my place do not bring food with them mainly because they know that everything I serve (Almost) is healthy for them along with a great taste. (The herbs I use for culinary purposes are from my garden)
I just gave away several of my books to a friend of one of my Sons, both on Organic Gardening and how to build one. They see what little space I have in my back yard filled with herbs, berries and veggies. (Not much this year as I needed to rebuild the arbor for the vines) My family and friends always ask for my advice and follow my lead asking questions on how I do it and my answer is simply that it takes time to change ones habits and to eat healthy. I still have a ways to go but am on the right track. Yes I always ask people if they know what is in that food that they are eating and to read labels and of course give them your website to check out as well as Robyn Os.
It does take time for change as it will not happen overnight…Two thumbs up for the Food Babe Army…
Hi Vani,
My dad just passed away on Monday night. He didn’t eat healthy or exercise. He first got high blood pressure in his 50s and took drugs for that. He then had a heart attack and a quadruple bi-pass 6 years ago. 4 1/2 years ago he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and this last year was a lot of suffering for him, and for us all. He was good to others too, like your dad, but didn’t take care of himself even after I tried for a long time to get him to. I too have a problem with giving bad food to the needy. I can barely afford organic food for my family, otherwise I would give it to the needy also. I used to work for an organization that provides food for needy people, but after noticing what junk is given to them, I quit. I will have to find somewhere else to help out where people can get fresh wholesome real food. Just haven’t found it yet. Praying for your father to get well soon.
My mom is 86 and has been just about bedridden with dementia for the last 5 years or so. She is being taken care of by a woman who LIVES IN HER HOUSE. Her food is made for her from scratch — not perfect but much better than in any “facility.” If you think you can’t afford this for your loved one,think again. There are many fine folks out there who are out of work and welcome the opportunity to provide live in care. You have to supervise this, but it keeps me involved and I have the satisfaction that I am doing the absolute best I can for my Mom. Care.com is where you can post an ad.
My Dad was in an assisted living home for the last couple years of his life. I visited him one day during lunchtime and noticed that a lot of the residents kept coughing. I thought it was odd, but then I noticed what was on everyone’s meal tray- a carton of milk, a carton of chocolate milk and they were eating grilled cheese sandwiches! I can’t imagine very many elderly people that would be able to tolerate that amount of dairy. I saw the menu for the rest of the month and it wasn’t much better.
I read that medical schools provide little or no nutrition training to doctors. Most doctors have no idea how to help their patients with nutrition, let alone the dangers of GMO. If there was a push for medical schools to provide at least 12 hours of nutritional training, I think it could help hospital food a lot. If doctors had more knowledge about healthy foods, then they would see that their hospitals were not providing nutritious meals. Dietitians in hospitals and care homes need to be held to higher standards too.
If you have food you don’t want or won’t eat, donate it. Yes those receiving it may be eating “tainted” food with unwanted chemicals but keep in mind it may be the the only thing hey eat all day. If you are poor, hungry and rely on a food bank you’re simply happy to have a meal that day, period.
As far as being the “food police” people know what’s in their food, for the most part. You’d need the IQ of a rock to not know fast food is bad for you. Not knowing and not caring are two different things. If they ask you, by all means feel free to educate them. Otherwise, let them be.
HI Vani, I’ve been following your blog for a while and I want to thank you for all your work, you are amazing, do not EVER give up. Even if that means being called the food police by your own family, one day they will understand that everything you have said or done is for their own good. Be the change you want to see in others.
When I was 8 years old I broke my leg in a car accident; my parents brought me organic dried goat cheese from a local farm daily to strengthened my bones at the hospital (in france). The doctors were very amazed to see how quickly my bone repaired. anyway, the food was terrible there and I really wonder how people can get better by eating the kind of food they serve…
Wishing your father a quick recovery.
Vani, Many well wishes and prayers are being sent to your father. Gee, and we are supposed to get well being in a hospital with all the poison they are feeding us? I think he would of been much better and recovered faster being at your house. lol That’s why I am so afraid of hospitals. Kind of makes me wonder, do they really care about making us better??
Hi Vani: I’m so sorry to hear about your father. I know that has to be a big worry. Please convey my deepest regards and best wishes for a speedy recovery. I am so glad you are over seeing his care. Just terrible and unacceptable, what the hospital did!! I have heard so many time that if someone is in hospital or old people’s home, one has to be really vigilant as so many errors happen and they cut corners like crazy, plus simply treating them abusively (at least in the homes). So sad!!
I really love what you are doing and follow your posts vigilantly and pass them on to my friends to educate them. It’s amazing how you have been able to make changes – one step at a time. Now we have an avalanche on your side!! I am so proud of you!! I have you in my prayers. God Bless You!! Kiran
Vani, I am so sorry, but know all too well about hospitals from the experiences I had with my mom and my daughter. I am so afraid of doctors and hospitals and all that applies. You are a blessing to many and the best gift your father could have today.
Hello Vani. I really enjoyed your post this morning and it inspires me to keep on being the ‘FOOD SHERIFF’ in my family! Lots of love Jane
I can understand your disgust with the hospital food service. My son has leukemia and we can spend a week in the hospital at a time. I always try to bring our own food in to eat, but when your six year old is able to eat waffles and Mac-n-cheese all day every day, that tends to win out over my healthy, organic choices. I do try to make him order fresh fruit at each meal. I can’t believe that this is what we are giving our sick children! We should be filling them with good, fresh foods that they can thrive on. The hospitals should be using each hospital stay as a platform to teach children about healthy choices. I know the hospitals serve this food because it is cheap, but I don’t think that is a good excuse. I hope your father gets well soon. In the meantime pack his room with better choices of things to eat!