Breaking Down the Standard American Diet: A Health Crisis in Disguise

Eat Your Greens with Dr. Black | plant-based nutrition for the whole family

Text Dr. Black your questions or comments.

This episode is the first of a two-part series examining the overall health of the US population and how what we eat can have a huge impact on our health, for good or bad.
In this first episode, I take a look at what the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans has to say about what we here in the US and other western countries eat on a regular basis. I define what the Standard American Diet is - how we are choosing processed convenience foods over more nutrient-dense fruits, veggies, and grains - and how it is affecting our health. We learn the difference between minimally processed and ultra-processed foods and examine the many ways that ultra-processed foods harm our own health and the environment.
In part two, I move from diagnosing the patient (the entire population of the US!) to prescribing the treatment. I will explain what a whole food plant-based diet is and count down the top 10 reasons to incorporate more whole plant foods into your diet. Last, I will offer tips on how to start making healthy changes to your diet that will have big impact on your overall health.

Links to journal articles and other scientific resources mentioned in the episode:

• Article on Processed Foods and Health from Harvard School of Public Health
• Household availability of ultra-processed foods and obesity in nineteen European countries
• Consumption of ultra-processed foods and health status: a systematic review and meta-analysis
• https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
• https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35189261/
• https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/
• NIH.gov Risks of Red Meat
• Milk, dietary calcium, and bone fractures in women: a 12-year prospective study.
• Egg Consumption and Risk of Heart Failure
• Journal of Heart Failure, September 2023

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For my free guide to Living a Plant-Forward Life, visit the show website and subscribe! eatgreenswithdrblack.com
For resources related to a plant-based diet or if you struggle to afford healthy food for your family, please go to eatgreenswithdrblack.com/resources.
You can contact Dr. Black at [e-mail]
I am happy to answer general questions related to the information presented on this podcast. Be advised that I will never offer specific medical advice via this website, even if your child is an established patient in my practice. If you have concerns about your child’s health or growth, please contact their doctor.
Thanks for listening and don't forget to Eat Your Greens!

Capitoli

1. Breaking Down the Standard American Diet: A Health Crisis in Disguise (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:01:35)

3. Definition of Standard American Diet (00:07:34)

4. Effects of S.A.D. on health (00:09:20)

5. Definition of processed food (00:11:24)

6. Effect of animal foods on the environment and health (00:17:36)

7. Conclusion (00:25:00)