Eating a clean diet of whole foods has become more popular and widespread in recent years. Some of us are growing more of our own food or sourcing it locally. Yet, not everyone understands why we go to so much trouble when a wide variety of foods are available in grocery stores. Purchasing high-quality, safe, whole foods from the grocery store can be expensive, products may be difficult to find, and people may not have the financial resources for them. Buying from big grocery store chains also supports huge corporations that control our agriculture markets and threaten to destroy family-owned farms.
"In 2019 the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that over 35 million people were “food insecure,” meaning they did not have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food." This is due in part to corporate consolidation of food production, processing, and distribution which gives a handful of corporations the power to lobby our lawmakers and influence industry research and media coverage. Our food is controlled from farm to grocery store shelf by entities that do not want their methods questioned at any point in the process. Maintaining this vast control affects not only prices, but can enable less than desirable processing practices. Lobbying has the potential to sway lawmakers on legislation concerning food pricing and safety including what can be added to our food without specifically listing the ingredient on the label. For instance, what exactly is included in the category "natural flavors" listed on some food labels? The USDA website states, "Natural Flavor: “…the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolystate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf of similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.” I don't know what all of that includes -- do you?
My primary motivation for growing and producing most of our food was health-related. I went through extensive cancer treatment in 2017. When I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, I decided to go through aggressive treatment hoping to prevent future secondary cancers. I became more aware of not only what I eat, but household cleaners, body care products, and chemical fragrances. I learned how to make my own products using simple non-toxic ingredients including essential oils.
While I still buy much of what I consume at the grocery store, I carefully consider the quality of each product and do my best to avoid harmful and unnecessary ingredients. I read food labels and depend on them for complete and accurate information. It can be challenging to find organic, non-GMO produce, and high-quality dairy and meat products. These foods are significantly more expensive than their lower quality counterparts making them less accessible for low-income consumers. Food processing and distribution facilities in the U.S. are inspected, but did you know there are allowable amounts of "stuff" (like pieces of insects) in our foods that are considered safe by the USDA? Additionally, "safe" food doesn't equal "clean" food. Safe food will not immediately cause illness, but that doesn't mean it won't contribute to long-term health problems like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Organic, non-GMO foods ARE pricey and ingredient labels ARE confusing, but it IS possible to consume healthier foods on a budget. Sometimes it's as simple as swapping a processed food for a whole one. I used to buy bags of tatertots regularly since they are quick and easy to cook in the oven while preparing a main course on the stovetop. Now I dice up homegrown potatoes and onion, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, then bake on a sheet pan. They take just a few more minutes to prepare and contain no preservatives, fillers, or hidden ingredients. Many convenience foods are expensive and can easily be replaced with healthier options. If fresh organic fruits and vegetables are absolutely not in your budget, buy organic frozen ones. Eating a 100% clean diet might not be feasible for everyone, but we can choose foods that are less processed and contain more wholesome ingredients.
What if you don't have garden space? Almost anyone can grow a bit of their own food. Some veggies and herbs can be grown successfully in plant pots on a balcony or a cheap shelving unit in front of a window. Both pots and shelving can be purchased at most thrift stores and garden seeds are available at dollar stores. Another option is talking to neighbors about finding space to plant a community garden. Even growing lettuce is a positive first step toward controlling your food quality and living a healthier life.
Questionable food production and distribution practices brought about by corporate consolidation and the recent supply chain issues have made me even more determined to grow as much of our food as possible. My husband is a beef producer and we are able to have our meat processed locally. My garden produced enough vegetables and herbs this year to supply much of our needs, and we have fresh eggs thanks to my small flock of laying hens. My goal for 2022 is to become more self-sufficient by continuing to learn food preservation skills, expanding what fruits and vegetables I grow, and adding poultry production to the homestead. There might be dairy goats in my future too!
Please comment below with your thoughts on clean eating and how you find affordable, quality foods. I’d love to learn from you!
This post is part one of a series that discusses the impacts of corporate food production and processing. Tune in next week to learn about small, family-owned farms and the corporations that are bankrupting them.
