How corn came to dominate the world

Corn. Not a super exciting topic it may seem. You probably think that corn doesn't play much of a part in your life. You may be surprised, however, to learn that corn is not only a fixture in your life, but a tremendous influence. 

What do you eat or use every day that is made from (or of) corn? Once in a while we have corn on the cob, bake with corn syrup, or maybe eat some mixed vegetables with corn in it, but you don't use corn everyday, right? Wrong. 

Those little yellow kernels come from a plant called "zea mays", the most important cereal crop on the planet. Corn is thought to have originated in Central Mexico, but has since made it's way north, west, east and south. Corn production has sky-rocketed in the last 100 years. Corn is literally everywhere. Farmers now produce enough corn for 129 people, up from 16 people about 100 years ago. Unfortunately, much of this corn is not food grade (meaning you wouldn't want to mow down on a cob of this stuff) but, much of it still makes it into the industrial food system through the proverbial back door.

Corn: Food, or Commodity?

Corn is in all the places you would expect - cornbread, corn flour, soup, but it's also in beer, whiskey, soda, and probably any packaged or processed food you pick up off the store shelves or, especially, through a drive-thru window. My favourite example is the chicken nugget, made of modified corn starch (to keep the nugget together), corn flour (batter) and corn oil (for frying, of course). Add a pop to that, and you're washing down your corn with corn*. Corn also feeds the animals that make our meat: the turkeys, cattle, fish, and chickens. Cheez whiz, salad dressings and even vitamins contain some derivative of corn, and it goes far beyond food items. Toothpaste, trash bags, cleaners and batteries.... the shine on your produce? Wax from corn. Coated cardboard? You guessed it, corn.

Corn has, as Michael Pollan refers to it, has a "dual identity". No longer is it just used to feed people, it's used in everything you can imagine. In fact, only a small amount of the corn grown is used in food we eat directly. The rest is for all the other stuff I listed above.

The background of how this came to be is so extensive and convoluted, I won't even attempt to explain it here. Long story short, the U.S. government has implemented laws and policies that have lead to a corn price so low, it costs the farmer more to produce it than it costs to purchase it. These low prices mean corn is the "perfect ingredient" for manufacturers of everything from cardboard boxes to cereal bars to use in their products. Low prices also mean a cheap food supply, made primarily of corn and lacking in nutritional value.

How does the dominance of corn impact nutrition and the environment?

All this cheap corn means its more profitable (and more conducive to factory farming) to fatten cattle with corn rather than grass. In fact, 3 out of every 5 kernels of corn in the U.S. go to feed animals at factory farms, including factory farmed salmon. Before humans, corn never existed in the diets of salmon or cattle. Corn didn't grow in the ocean, and cattle grazed on green pastures of grass. Changing the diet of these species does have an impact on the health of the animal, the quality of the meat we eat, and the environment (see my post on grass vs animal fed beef here). As I mentioned before, the types of foods you will find corn derivatives in, are nutritionally sparse, low cost, unhealthy foods.

It would seem at first glance that a world derived from corn may not be so bad. After all, isn't corn a natural plant? Doesn't that mean that using it in all these products would be a good thing? Not exactly. In the old days, corn and cows used to grow and be raised together. The corn would feed the cow, and the cow's waste would fertilize the land for the corn.

You see, corn doesn't naturally occur in such great quantities. And without the cows to fertilize the land (because the cows are now in CAFOs), in order to produce as much corn as we do, chemical pesticides and fertilizers are used in large amounts. This of course, leads to green house gasses and chemical run-off into our streams. The CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) that the corn feeds also contribute to toxic waste, pollution and disease.

In short, corn is delicious and wonderful in its natural form, the cob. We humans have stretched the limits of this simple crop to facilitate our thirst for endlessly cheaper food. Let's not forget though, cheap food comes at a hidden cost, to our health and the environment.

*This blog was inspired by Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, specifically, chapter 2. 

Read more... Share

Grass- versus Grain-fed beef. Does it make a difference?

Reducing meat consumption is a great way to help your health and the environment. But when you do indulge in a juicy steak, what’s better – grass or grain-fed beef? Does it matter?

Cows are typically fed either grass, grain, soy or corn. Although not technically correct, for ease of writing, when I say grain I am referring to grain, soy and corn, which are said to all have similar effects on cows. Animals were first fed grain when factory farming, or large feedlots, began popping up. Cows were switched to grain for convenience and cost. Grain-fed cows don’t need a pasture and, therefore, can be crammed together in small spaces, increasing production and profit per square foot. Grain, corn and soy are also much cheaper feeds. Unfortunately, grain isn’t the only component of this type of feed. Cheap fillers, such as animal parts and stale pastry may also be included as a way to cut costs.

Mass production of animals and meat leads to lower food prices and higher profit for companies. When we buy factory-farmed meat as a society, we are essentially buying bulk. So what’s wrong with cheaper food? Nothing, in an of itself, but when you look a bit closer into the costs that aren’t calculated into the price at the grocery store, we find that there is actually a substantial cost to this type of food. Impact on the environment and our health all have an associated cost.

The argument for grass-fed beef often refers to the fact that the digestive systems of cows works most efficiently when digesting grass, not grain. However, these days, most cows are grain-fed. So cows weren’t intended to eat grain… Does that mean it’s necessarily worse if they do?


Taste differences

The flavor of beef is said to be quite different depending on the type of feed. For those who just want the juiciest, tastiest piece of meat, perhaps you want a steak from a grain-fed cow. Grain-fed cows produce the fattiest meat, and since fat contributes immensely to taste... well, you get the picture. But not everyone agrees. Despite the lower fat content, lovers of grass-fed beef say the flavor of the meat is much more pronounced. The split of people who prefer one or the other is said to be about 50/50.

Unfortunately, there are some things to consider other than taste. For instance, with grain feeds, there are some downsides for the cow. Grain feed is not nutritionally or biologically ideal for a cow. Since the digestive systems of cows don’t handle grain well, this diet (which is high in starches and low in fibre) can result in lots of bloating and discomfort for the animal. This is referred to as “feed lot bloat”. Grain-fed cows can also develop something called “acidosis”. Acidosis is caused by an overproduction of acids from digestion of grain, and can be a serious and painful condition. It can also weaken the immune system, which makes the animals more susceptible to bacterial infections and illnesses and increase the need for antibiotics.

Because the grain is lacking in nutrition, these cows are often also fed a slew of other supplements and additives which can include things like ammonium sulfate, blood meal, bone meal, defluorinated phosphate, fat from poultry, meat meal, and other nasty sounding ingredients.

Nutritionally speaking

Studies have shown that the nutritional content of beef is largely influenced by an animal’s feed. Grass-fed beef is a bit better for you in terms of the fat composition. Meet from grain-fed animals has been found to be higher in total and saturated fat, cholesterol and Calories, and lower in vitamin E, CLA (shown to have some health benefits ) and healthy omega-3 fats. If you only eat meat on occasion, this difference likely won't affect you much, but if meat is a staple in your diet, this could potentially make a difference to you.

How does this affect the environment? Probably in more ways than you think.

The energy, water, fuel, and pesticides used to grow and transport the feed all impact the environment negatively. Areas of rain forests are also being torn down in order to grow corn and soybeans to feed cattle. Raising large numbers of animals in relatively small spaces can also lead to health issues from ground and water pollution. The large amounts of manure are often not properly disposed of, saturating the ground. However, grass-fed beef isn't completely without it's downsides. Just because a package says "grass-fed" does not mean the meat is organic. 

Thoughts

It appears that grass-fed beef certainly has a bit of a leg up in every department except (arguably) taste. So what’s a meat eater to do? It depends what your priorities are. Cost, health, environmental sustainability and taste all play a role in your choice. I think you all know where I stand. I’d rather pay a bit more for higher quality and eat it less.


Sources:
http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/397/1/Grass-vs-grain-fed-beef.html
http://www.nwhealth.edu/healthyU/eatwell/grassfed.html
"The Omnivore's Dilemma" - Michael Pollan

Read more... Share

Video: When to purchase organic vs conventional produce

Things are crazy busy these days with LEAF, so I apologize for the lack of new posts. I am working on one as we speak, but for now here is a great video about what produce you might want to buy organic, and when conventional is good too.

Read more... Share

Homemade Raspberry Lemonade

Hot enough for you? This easy recipe should cool you right down. I first discovered this delicious treat while on vacation, and liked it so much I tried to make it when I got home. It turned out well! They were selling it for $60/jug at the hotel pool. It cost me about $5 at home.

I've made it with booze and without, it's equally good either way. It is really easy to make and low Calorie (if you omit the booze). If you don't mind the bite, omit the sugar altogether.

Ingredients:


Juice of 4 fresh lemons
1 lemon, sliced into 8th's
1 cup raspberries
1 litre soda water
1 cup vodka or rum (optional)
Lots of ice
Sugar, to taste (optional)

Prep:


Combine soda, lemon juice and vodka (if using) in a jug. Crush about 1/2 of the raspberries in your hand and throw them in. Add the ice. Stir well. Add sugar if desired. Add ice, the rest of the raspberries (whole) and lemon slices. Give one last stir and serve! Enjoy!

Read more... Share

Adrenal Fatigue

More and more I hear people blaming their low energy levels on "adrenal fatigue" often, it seems, without really knowing much about it. Adrenal fatigue seems to be the latest nutritional hot topic and an easy answer for low energy levels. But what is it exactly, and is it really treatable with diet and nutrition?


What it is, or isn’t

Proponents of adrenal fatigue have been blamed it for everything from allergies, infections, depression, memory loss, decreased sex drive, and insomnia. Other suggested symptoms:

• Tendency to gain weight and unable to lose it, especially around the waist.

• Lack of energy in the mornings and in the afternoon between 3 to 5 pm.

• Feel better suddenly for a brief period after a meal.

• Often feel tired from 9 - 10 pm, but resist going to bed.

• Need coffee or stimulants to get going in the morning.

• Feels better when stress is relieved, such as on a vacation.

• Difficulties in getting up in the morning.

Does this sound like you? Probably. Adrenal fatigue is a collection of such non-specific and broad symptoms that nearly anyone could relate. Proponents of adrenal fatigue claim it is brought on by stress and is a milder form of adrenal insufficiency that can not be detected by blood tests, but does affect the body. However, adrenal fatigue is debated in the medical community and is not currently recognized as a medical diagnosis.

Is there a diet for adrenal fatigue?

Of course! There’s a diet for everything these days, and that includes adrenal fatigue. So what does it look like? According to Dr. Wilson, there are nine rules to follow:

1) Eat a wide variety of whole, natural foods

2) Combine a healthy fat, protein and carbohydrate source with every meal

3) Eat lots of vegetables, especially the brightly colored ones

4) Salt your food to a pleasant taste

5) Eat mainly whole grains as your source of carbohydrate

6) Combine grains with legumes (beans), or legumes with seeds or nuts to form a complete protein

7) Avoid fruit in the morning

8) Mix 1-2 tablespoons of essential oils (cold pressed olive, grape seed, safflower, flax, etc.) into grains, vegetables and meats daily

9) Eat high quality food; it becomes you.

Funny enough, most of those sound like recommendations for a healthy diet (except for the ones I crossed out).

My thoughts:

Cutting down on caffeine and processed foods is always a good idea and, although there’s no harm in making healthy eating changes, many people who suspect adrenal fatigue look to unregulated and unproven remedies that can have their own risks. Doctors also warn that these remedies can mask the true cause of symptoms, such as depression or fibromyalgia, and delay a proper diagnosis.

Is there truly an epidemic of adrenal fatigue, or could it be that we’re simply an overly stressed, over worked, over caffeinated society with generally poor nutrition, and the result happens to be low energy? Or, is it a true condition that currently glides under the radar of medical testing? I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m a strong proponent that many conditions can be helped and even prevented with proper nutrition and exercise. Never underestimate the powers of a healthy diet and lifestyle. It’s not a gimmick, it doesn’t sound exotic, but it’s the thing we go back to time and time again. So for now, while the medical community figures this one out, eat your veggies, go for a long, stress-relieving walk, and get some sleep. If you’re concerned about your energy levels, see your doctor.

Read more... Share

How to minimize the damage during Stampede

For those who don't know, there is a little wee festival that takes place in Calgary this time of year, referred to as "Stampede". A fitting name for a 10 day festival that's wrought with "stampeding" party-ers who have ditched their suit and ties and mysteriously re-emerged as cowboys and cowgirls for this one event.

Unfortunately, Stampede is a time where many Calories are consumed in the form of mini donuts and beer.  Our waist-lines aren't the only thing taking a hit. Any time a massive event rolls around, there's bound to be endless amounts of disposable dinnerware and cups that end up right in the trash bin. As fun as they are, these festivals are hard on our bodies and the planet. So what's a good-hearted, fun-loving cowboy/girl to do? Luckily, will a little thought and planning, there are some things we can do to help minimize the damage. None of these suggestions are perfect, but stampede is a time to let loose. These are my tips for making the most out of a bad situation.

Here are some tips for minimizing the impact (to yourself and the environment) and still have a good time:

• Avoid the mini donuts - or any other junk food - if you can. I realize this might be 'out of the question' for many stampeders, as mini donuts have become a bit of a tradition. So if you must indulge, split them with a friend, or two.
• Plan in advance - if you are organized and bring your own snacks, you'll be less likely to get caught empty handed when hunger strikes. Packing healthy foods from home will save you Calories and money.
• If you're going to drink alcohol, alternate beverages between alcoholic and water. It will help you stay hydrated in the heat, and also help cut down on Calories. As an added bonus, you won't feel so bad in the morning. You can thank me later.
• Weigh your options - there may not be any HEALTHY foods at stampede, but there is always an option that's better than the rest. Try to look for options that are grilled or baked, have lots of vegetables, and not a lot of high-calorie sauces or cheese.
• Looking to cool off? Sure, Ice cream is a summer staple, but if you just need a cool down, a lower-calorie option (though still high in sugar) is shaved ice (ask them to ease up on the syrup). Even better, good old ice cold water.
• Dance! There is plenty of music to move your boots to, so take advantage. Dancing can burn 300 Calories an hour or more!
• Avoid plastic & reuse cups. Bring a reusable steel water bottle whenever possible. If you get caught thirsty and beverage-less, opt for glass bottles over plastic, and of course, recycle.
• Avoid booths with styrofoam. If possible, look for food booths that serve their food in less environmentally harmful products (even if they're still disposable), such as wrapped in paper. If you're real keen, bringing your own take-out container is the best way to go.

What ideas do you have to make Stampede a bit healthier?

Read more... Share

Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe

This is a recipe I've made for years and is always a hit. The cottage cheese helps to add more protein and gives it more of a nice, creamy texture that's different from other, traditional chilis. You can also opt to make it a vegetarian chili by doubling up the beans and leaving out the turkey.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
500g (1 lb) lean ground turkey

½ cup green pepper

½ cup red onion
½ cup mushrooms

2 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp chile powder

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 can (28oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (14oz) tomato sauce

1 can red kidney Beans or mixed beans, drained

½ cup vegetable broth

1/4 cup cilantro

½ cup 2% cottage cheese

Method:

Heat olive oil in a large, non-stick pot over med-high heat. Add onions, green pepper, mushrooms, and garlic. Cook and stir until veggies soften.

Add ground turkey, chili powder, cumin, oregano, coriander, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon. Mix well and cook for 1 more min. Add undrained tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, broth, and pepper. Bring to boil. Add cottage cheese. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-40 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and add cilantro.

Per Serving:

237 Calories
6g Fat
27g Protein
20g Carbohydrates

Read more... Share

A Greenie goes to Las Vegas

A few weeks ago, B. (a huge hockey fan - specifically, the Calgary Flames) won a trip to the NHL Awards in Las Vegas from a local sports radio station. He was ecstatic to win a free trip to Las Vegas. Although I'm not so much of a hockey fan, of course, I was going to go with him. But as any environmentally conscience person who has been to Las Vegas knows, it's a bit unsettling to your inner "greenie" to go there, even if it is 3 nights, 4 days, all expenses paid. 

I hope my regular readers will bare with me, as this post is not about nutrition or food per se, but focuses more on my other passion, the environment. Just over a year ago, after I finished school and before I started internship, I only had a few days to get away and a limited student budget, and Vegas fit the bill. Before I ever went I had heard that it was the antithesis of environmental sustainability. To be honest, I was just happy to get away and relax the first time, so I didn't do much exploring outside the hotel, and it didn't really register as deeply as now. Since then, however, my knowledge in environmental issues has multiplied exponentially, and I have learnt a lot more about environmental sustainability on a larger scale (far beyond reduce, reuse, recycle). This time, I simply couldn't pull the organic wool over my own eyes. The truth is in your face, everywhere you turn, and it pulled at my heart strings.

Las Vegas has to be one of the most unsustainable cities in the world. If every city functioned like that, I'm sure climate change would be incredibly worse than it is now.

Coming off the airplane, I was happy to see recycling receptacles and proclamations "we're going green". Unfortunately, that's the last I saw of either for the rest of the trip. I'm sure I looked like a lunatic as I stared in horror each time a plastic cup was thrown out. And everything is Vegas seems to be a) disposable and b) plastic.  

Walking by the rows of idling cabs at every hotel, I felt defeated. To every one "Idle-free zone" sign that goes up in my city, it seems there are a hundred idling cabs in Vegas. The mass amounts of energy it  takes to power millions of slot machines and neon signs blows my mind, not to mention the air-conditioning that is always set a few degrees lower than it needs to be. I couldn't believe how COLD I was in the middle of the desert in June whenever I was indoors. And, despite being in the middle of the desert, you'd be hard-pressed to find many efforts to conserve water (misters anyone?). Trying to get tap water at a bar was also impossible.

I didn't want to ruin B's trip or continue to beat a dead horse, so I tried to keep my disgust to myself and not think about the environmental catastrophe that was playing out in front of me. In fact, I searched for evidence that Las Vegas was not as bad as it appeared. A quick google search on sustainability in Las Vegas will reveal that the city itself seems to be making an effort. There is a Green Building Program, 

and many projects and hotels in the city are striving for LEED certification (although, as always, there are questions about the validity of LEED now, and in the long term). As one person commented: 

Is the local environment of the project taken into account by LEED? It seems like an ‘green’ luxery hotel project in the middle of a parched desert during a drought isn’t much of a green project at all. There needs to be some context for these claims. One less hotel would be a lot better for the environment than one more with a certification slapped on it.

Aside from LEED, I also saw a few hybrid cabs, and our hotel room had one of those "we're trying to reduce our environmental impact" signs, informing you why your towels and sheets weren't going to be changed daily. Small steps, but they're going in the right direction.

In spite all this (or maybe because of all this), there are so many opportunities for improvement. Las Vegas (especially the strip) is essentially a concrete landscape. Any vegetation and water features are mainly man-made, and water and energy intensive. However, looking down from our hotel room on the 19th floor, the mass amount of landscape that exists for potential green space is unlimited. I'm talking about roof top green space, of course. Green roofs in Vegas have the potential to decrease energy use (by helping to keep building cooler, naturally) and of course, increase the aesthetic appeal from above.  Just a day before my arrival, a Green Roofing course at the Western Roofing Expo wrapped up in the city.

Wolfgang Puck, who has quite a few restaurants in the city, strives to feature local, seasonal and organic menu items as much as possible. Other than that, I saw the word "organic" on only one menu I looked at.

They have miles to go in efforts to reduce waste and plastic, and it certainly wouldn't be very difficult to put a few recycling bins next to the trash. Will I ever go to Las Vegas again? Probably. Although you don't want to support such waste, turning away from the issue certainly won't make it go away. I would love to go and LEAF Certify some restaurants, and I would love to go back in five years and see that some major improvements have been made. As a city that is host to millions of people from around the world, Las Vegas has the chance to be a leader and showcase environmental practices. Certainly, in this economic downturn they could use the good publicity.

Read more... Share

Are you being "Health washed"?

With all the environmental information and "eco-logos" floating around these days, you may have heard the term "Green washing". Green washing (or "green whitewash") "is the practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies as environmentally friendly... It is a deceptive use of green PR or green marketing." 


Needless to say, green washing has made many consumers leery of products claiming to be greener. People want to know that the products they're choosing are either making a positive impact on the environment, or at least reducing the negative impact. Unfortunately, as it's a relatively new area, it can be difficult to tell what's green washing and what's a real, environmentally sound product.

Something similar is occurring (and has been for years) in the food industry. Although it doesn't have a fancy label like "green washing" (other than 'deceptive' and 'misleading'), the food industry runs rampant with false statements intended to convince consumers that they are making a healthier choice than they actually are. Let's call it: "health washing". As far as I can tell, this is not a term that's being used regularly (when I 'googled' it, all that came up were websites and videos on hand washing and proper hygiene). Call it what you will - health washing is everywhere. In fact, I've blogged about it many times before.

When looking to make a list of examples for this blog post, all I had to do was take a tour around the grocery store, and there was no shortage:

The Heart Check look-a-like symbol on Nestle chocolate bars - an indication of "cremier chocolate" as stated on the website, or a visual gimmick meant to mislead?

Vitamin water - also known as "sugar water".

Organic cookies/chips/etc. - Sure, a minimal amount of pesticides may be avoided by choosing organic, but I'd be more worried about the fat and sugar.

Cane sugar - "Cane sugar", "raw sugar", "organic syrup" are ALL sugar! Cane sugar just sounds fancier.

Natural or "made from natural ingredients"- This has got to be one of the worst offenders. "Natural" is not a regulated term. It means nothing. And, aren't all ingredients "natural" at one point in time?

My favourite, "hand-torn lettuce" - What benefit does having "hand-torn" over machine chopped lettuce infer? Does it make it taste better? More wholesome?

"Made with real fruit" - Example: fruit leather snacks for kids. They may contain a teeny amount of "real fruit", but don't forget about the mass amounts of added sugars in various forms, like sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup (glucose-fructose), corn syrup, etc, that may actually outweigh the amount of "real fruit".

Individual nutrient claims - Junk foods that are naturally high in certain vitamins or minerals (such as calcium in pudding), or adding nutrients to junk food, doesn't make it healthy. There is a difference between having some nutritional value, and being a healthy food.  The pudding offers protein and calcium, but also lots of fat and sugar.

Here is the grey area: Companies have the right to advertise healthy aspects of their products; but where  is the line between the right to advertise a healthy aspect of a product, and crossing over into the territory of (deliberating or not) misleading consumers into thinking they're making a healthy choice? When companies take claims too far, they can get in trouble. I'm reminded of the Kellogg's cereal scandal in which Kellogg's claimed that their cereal (high in sugar but with added vitamins) could help boost kids' immunities (they were later forced to retract these claims). Or, the Activia yogurt scandal in which the company got into trouble for making claims that weren't backed by solid science. However, most of the time claims fall in the grey area, and with all the hundreds of thousands of food products it's just too difficult to police. In the meantime, you can learn to spot and avoid "health washing". Here are some tips:

• Don't be won over by the fancy words or images - be skeptical of the terms like "natural" and "made with". What makes it natural, and does this increase the value of the product? 
• Read labels to make your decisions - a product high in sugar and fat is probably not a good choice, regardless of whether it is made with "cane sugar" and "organic", or made with corn syrup and conventionally produced. Similarly, when a product claims "no trans fat", does not mean it's not high in saturated fat, salt or other not-so-great things.
• Stick with unprocessed foods as much as possible. Nature makes great tasting, healthy foods that don't come in misleading packages. There are only so many ways to "health wash" an apple.

Read more... Share

Dr. Freedhoff - on being a "loudmouth"

 Dr. Yoni Freedhoff recently gave this interesting talk about his advocacy work to a group of students at the Canadian Obesity Student Meeting at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Freedhoff, known for being outspoken on his blog, provides "some advice to Canada's future obesity researchers and encourage them, by means of examples from my life, to ensure they advocate for the lifestyles and environment their educations have taught them are crucial to maximize health".

He readily admits he has come up against resistance and opposition for his views, but he certainly has also made waves in the Canadian health industry. In this video he discusses what he has against the Canada Food Guide and the Health Check program, and explains how individuals can affect change.

On his blog he explains why he writes and why he feels the need to speak out:

I write it because I believe that it's incredibly important to speak up about those things that matter to you. I write it because I believe it's one of my responsibilities as a physician to advocate for better health. I write it because I believe that shining a spotlight on programs, policies and attitudes that either willfully or inadvertently make it more difficult for consumers to make healthier choices for their families is something that I must do given that many of those who might want to speak up, are silenced by their institutional and professional ties which preclude them from biting the hands that feed them.

Click here to watch. What do you think? Does he present valid points? Is he overly critical of the industry, or should we have tougher guidelines?

Read more... Share