This is the 6th in a series of blogs on the “Reality of our Food and the Demise of our Health.” Today’s blog is going to be hard to write and most likely hard to receive and admit to the truth by most who read it.
But first, I said I would start off each blog with what the definition and the function of food is, just so we remember what the foundation of our focus in this series is each week:
Definition of Food
Food: substance consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, fat, and other nutrients used in the body of an organism to sustain growth and vital processes and to furnish energy. The absorption and utilization of food by the body is fundamental to nutrition and is facilitated by digestion. (Britannica)
Food: material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy(Merriam Webster).
Function and purpose of food: …to sustain growth, repair and vital processes and to furnish energy.
Who Are the Underprivileged?
I worked for a women’s addiction recovery ministry for about 6 years as their fundraiser. We also served women who were experiencing homelessness. It was during this time that I was introduced to, and worked closely with, a whole new population of people that I was generally unfamiliar with until this point. And that was the underprivileged. Don’t get me wrong, I knew there were people living on the streets, homeless. I had walked through an addiction to alcohol myself personally for 20 years before God miraculously healed me. I had volunteered on multiple occasions over the years at soup kitchens and homeless shelters – particularly during the holidays. But I personally would not have considered myself “underprivileged” by any means. And the time I spent among the folks who were homeless was short, and temporary.
Even though I was functioning in the capacity as a fundraiser, my passion and knowledge for wholistic health and wellness continued. And it was during this time that I became even more keenly aware that this population of our community was seriously lacking in balance, when it came to their wholistic health. And we, as the community who lived among them, were, in part, major contributors to this problem.
I recall the women’s ministry joining forces (as they quite often did) one time with the local soup kitchen to serve up meals one day. My heart was just broken as I watched the volunteers serve up lifeless, colorless, nutrient deficient, sugar laden substances on meal plates and handing it to the underprivileged guests with the greatest of love and compassion in their hearts, for them to consume and fill their bellies with. This alongside of a clear, hard plastic cup filled with bright blue toxic sugar water to drink. This not only broke my heart, it stirred up an anger in me as well.
I promise you, without even having to have a conversation with these folks, that every single one of them that walked through those doors was deeply chronically ill – physically, mentally, emotionally and probably spiritually as well.They were tremendously lacking in true health.
Who are the underprivileged? They are those living below the minimum standard of living – lack of adequate food, housing, transportation and clothing — including those living in homelessness, addiction and with mental health disorders – all of which can include men, women, children, military veterans and the elderly, from all races and ethnic groups. Those living in the inner city, suburbs, and rural areas. They are many among us across our country. But they are still each a child of God, treasured, and loved by Him as deeply as He loves you and me. They have value. They have worth. And they have purpose.
Here are the Problems
1.Toxic Donations
Shortly after one of my visits, I had a conversation with the director of the soup kitchen, asking why they couldn’t serve these folks healthier foods. And his reply was they served them what was donated to them. As my brain always seems to do, I started following the path to the root. Who donated this food? Our communities. The fortunate, the privileged, the able, and the healthy. But they are lacking in wisdom and knowledge of what they are seriously doing – they are donating toxic poisons to the chronically ill underprivileged, in the name of love.Thinking a full belly and calories is sufficient, in lieu of nutrients.
These folks aren’t lacking in calories – they can use their EBT cards to buy nothing but junk food at the corner convenience store. What they are lacking in is vital nutrients.
2.Addiction
What I became more aware of during my time at the women’s ministry is that homelessness, trauma and addiction quite often go hand in hand.
When a person is struggling with addiction to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, consuming sugars and processed foods also triggers the addictive pathway in the brain.I will go into more detail about this in next week’s blog, but for now the point I want you to get is this: When we donate lifeless, nutrient deficient, toxic-laden carbs and sugary foods for the underprivileged to consume, we are directly, yes, directly contributing to not just their addictions but the decline of their health even further. It’s a vicious cycle their minds and bodies are in, and we are adding fuel to this horrendous fire.
They truly would be better off if we did not donate anything than donate these poisonous substances in the name of “love.”
3.“I Don’t Like That!”
We probably have all been there – if not as a parent, then at least as a child – or we should have. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s. Parents were the parent, and the child was the child. Mom made the decisions what we were going to have for meals each day and if we didn’t like it then tough, you can go to bed hungry. Or “you are going to sit there until you eat it, there are poor children in China starving to death.” Can anyone else relate to this?
But somewhere along the way this dynamic changed, and children started telling their parents what they wanted for meals, and what they would or would not eat. I recall observing this trend when I had my practice. I would try and educate the parents on ways to improve their child’s health, including their spinal health, which entailed the foods they were putting into their bodies. But I heard more often than not mom’s telling me “they don’t like that.” Somewhere along the way, authority obviously went out the window and addiction to food-like substances took its place.
And that is the same trend we are seeing today with the underprivileged population – especially those experiencing homelessness and addiction. Here is a typical path that occurs:
- The underprivileged look to outside resources for support for their food consumption.
- That support comes through our government (which I will address next) and local non-profits like soup kitchens, salvation armies, food banks etc.
- The local non-profits receive their inventory from the local community
- The local community has been conditioned to grab whatever is cheapest and non-perishable to donate to the next food drive that comes along.
- Those food drives are typically organized through well-meaning civic groups, churches, and even the post office.
- Most of these foods are packaged, processed empty calorie, carbohydrates that turn to sugar or are filled with sugar.
- The underprivileged person consumes these addictive foods, causing their body to crave more, in lieu of the healthy foods that they never see anyway.
- If healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables were placed before them alongside of the addictive food-like substances, they would most likely reach for the addictive products first, because that is what their brain has been conditioned to tell them to do. They see healthy foods and their brain is telling them “I don’t like that!”
- The state of their health – physically and mentally continues to deteriorate, along with the stability of our communities, and the vicious cycle continues.
4.SNAP
Oh, this is the area that really stirs up anger in my heart. I hope it is a righteous anger.
According to the USDA website, their 2024 approved list of eligible SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food items include:
- Fruits and vegetables – these include canned items that essentially have no nutritional value. But fresh fruits and vegetables are included – so far so good.
- Meat, poultry, and fish – this is good too. However, if the underprivileged were to actually spend their limited dollars on these items, they almost certainly would opt for the cheaper products in this category. The caution here is, if you recall from last week’s blog “GMO’s, USDA Organic, and Gluten Free” unless these foods are organic/free range/grass fed, the person is consuming growth hormones, GMO grains, anti-biotics etc. But still a better choice than some other items on this list.
- Dairy products – This one is truly a huge hidden money maker for the government and the dairy industry as well as the pharmaceutical industry. Again, the beneficiary of the EBT card is almost certainly going to reach for the cheapest of these products and yet they are so laden with growth hormones and anti-biotics that it can be extremely detrimental to their already compromised health. In addition, cow’s milk is the number one hidden food sensitivity, it is very inflammatory and very mucous forming. Don’t these two symptoms alone just describe what every person who is underprivileged is struggling with? To the point that this is just the “norm” for them? And yet our government (and our tax dollars) is generously contributing to this decline in health – daily.
- Breads and cereals – Nothing but empty calories and carbs, as well as extremely sugar laden contributing to that vicious addiction cycle. There was a childhood obesity study done awhile back by the University of California, San Francisco. As part of their research, they looked at the breads available at the grocery store and 34 of the 35 breads they looked at had high fructose corn syrup in them. In case you don’t know, high fructose corn syrup is a highly genetically modified sugar – a double wammy! Again, our government not only promotes this, they provide it.
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages – all I can say is “why?!” If these items were not allowed, that would, by default, provide more EBT dollars for the underprivileged person to spend on foods that have a little more nourishment. There truly is not any beverage in the conventional markets that needs to be consumed by any underprivileged person, including infants (i.e. Similac) and the elderly (i.e. Ensure) except water. Anything else is truly toxic and poisonous. Unless it is an alternative, truly healthy product that can be found in quality health food stores.
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat – ideally these seeds and plants are heirloom, otherwise they are genetically modified.
The bottom line here with these approved SNAP items is they are not designed to support health and healing for those in need, they are designed to make the government and the corporate food industry money – at the expense of our most vulnerable community members. I know this is a harsh statement, but it is truth.
5.School Meals
Not too long ago I took a look at the food that was being served up in our county schools and I was absolutely appalled. I could not believe what I was actually seeing. Some of the breakfast items for the elementary school close to my home consisted of the following:
- Honey Bun
- Giant Goldfish Graham
- Glazed Donut
- Fruit Loop waffles
Did your stomach turn and your heart drop like mine did? We should all be appalled. Our very own tax dollars are paying to literally set our children up for failure, especially the underprivileged who are looking to our schools for food in their bellies. These sounded more like junk food you would find at the county fair, not in our school cafeteria! And of course, each of these meals came with hormone laden milk. I have a feeling chocolate milk (which would include caffeine and sugar) are probably a choice of milk too. How can they concentrate and learn with these toxins in their body and brain? Keeping in mind, we are specifically talking about children who are underprivileged – they most likely don’t have an optimum study environment outside of the classroom. We are setting them up for failure, not success.
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation website, as of September 2024, 16% of all children in the United States — 11.4 million kids total — are living in poverty. These children, most likely are receiving the majority of their meals from school, via once again our government a.k.a. our tax dollars. This is heart breaking and appalling. I invite you take a look at your county school’s meal menu website – but for quick reference here is ours (I doubt that yours is any better).
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Solutions
First let me be the first to say, I don’t have all the answers to this. One thing I do know is “if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” The definition of insanity. I also know that just because a new way is “too hard” is not a good enough excuse or answer. Or “they won’t eat the good foods provided for them” is not the right answer either. If we really care about all members of our communities, we need leaders in multiple areas to step up and start taking charge and leading in a new direction.
I also believe, like everything else pertaining to our health, it needs to be approached wholistically. The solutions need to come from many directions. And I also know it won’t be easy. I envision a grass roots committee made up of people with experience and backgrounds in a variety of areas – schools, those serving the underprivileged – military vets, those experiencing homelessness, addiction, seniors living in poverty. Honest elected officials (I’m biting my tongue!), wholistic healthcare practitioners, and folks with many other vested interests in healthy change. There are organizations and individuals out there who already have a passion for this kind of change, it’s time we join forces and work wholistically together so we can help our neighbors heal wholistically.
Neighborhood gardens
I know some inner-city areas of our country have had some success with garden shares. I also think we need to teach folks how to garden – “give a man a fish he eats for a day, teach a man to fish he eats for a lifetime.” The same goes for the folks living in the rural areas. In fact, some of them may have greater access to healthier foods than most privileged folks who shop at the large chain stores for their groceries. They might be able to teach us a thing or two! But not having transportation from any of these areas should not be the barrier.
Access to healthier foods
In Joel Fuhrman’s book “Fast Food Genocide” he talks about “food deserts.” Meaning the only place poorer communities have access to “food” is from the local convenience stores and fast-food restaurants. Grocery stores with real food are not accessible – especially if someone does not have transportation to get there. Why can’t these convenience stores sell a higher ratio of healthy foods and limited access to junk food? But the only way this will work is if the government stops allowing EBT cards to be used for snack foods and non-alcoholic drinks. Right now, it’s these items that the underprivileged are gravitating towards, consuming it, and calling it a meal.
Healthier donations
Our communities, who are making food donations to places like the soup kitchens need to be aggressively educated on exactly what it is they are donating to the underprivileged in the name of “love.” And perhaps the soup kitchens can start taking a stand, by stating that they are no longer accepting toxic food-like substances, no packaged and processed foods, as well as no items that contain processed sugars. This is not “beggars can’t be choosers” this is taking a stand and being responsible for those they have been tasked with caring for. If they take the lead, and the communities become educated as to the “why,” I truly believe we can see a turnaround in the health of those who utilize and benefit from these charitable organizations.
Financial support
If you are wealthy enough to make monetary contributions to helping the poor and underprivileged, then I implore you, start speaking up for your money before you donate. Make sure it is going to truly contributing to life instead of death. You might even be a leader in your community that folks respect and look up to. Start being an advocate for these folks by being an example yourself of what health truly looks like.
Lobby our elected officials
We need to take authority and hold accountable those we have placed in elected positions. They are key to making government supported changes. Start by eliminating snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages from the SNAP approved food list.Why in Heaven’s name are they on this list? I already can hear their lame answer – “because that’s all the majority of underprivileged folks have access to.” Then why don’t we just approve everything else that is killing them as well – cigarettes, alcohol, drugs – because those too are also easily accessible. These snack foods are not only lacking in any nutritional value, they are actually providing toxic substances that are directly destroying a person’s mind and body. Why are they approving these things? Because “we the people” are allowing it.
The same goes for the food-like substances being served up in the name of “breakfast and lunch” to our children in our public schools. As well as any federal or state funded facilities that care for our underprivileged senior citizens.
Summary
These folks are valuable, they have a purpose. Each and every one of them. It’s time we stood up and started taking authority with our own health first, and then become the leader on behalf of those who need your help.
Remember, it’s not about the calories! It’s about the nutrients. All of us, but especially the underprivileged who are guaranteed to be chronically ill, need to first eat to be nourished, not to be full. If we can just wrap our minds around this one truth and pursue it, our entire communities could be healthier.
Do you like to get a jump on your Christmas shopping? How about gifting that special someone who wants to learn more about their health with a copy of “Are You Being Deceived About Truth Wellness?” “Are You Being Deceived About Truth Wellness?”
Did you miss the first Four blogs in this series? Visit them now…
“The Reality of Our Food and the Demise of Our Health”
“Genetics or Lifestyle?”
“How Did We Get Here? The History of Processed Foods”
“Ingredients Over Nutrition Facts”
Non-GMO’s USDA Organic, Gluten-Free – Important Food Labels!