In my last blogpost, I shared I had started to read Dr Chris Van Tulleken's book "Ultra Processed People". I wish I could say it was an easy read, but it's not for many reasons. With that said, it's a very important read.
I'm sharing some words from the book. They have strengthened my conviction for the work we do in Standing for Children's Health.
When talking about additives, Dr Chris writes this:
"The main point is not that they are themselves harmful, it's that the additives are a proxy for UPF. They signal a method and purpose of food production that we now know is linked to disease. The individual ingredients of UPF may each be harmful, but it is in the combination that they do most harm."
It's this last part that I've highlighted that I draw your attention to.
Since late 2019, we have been providing our schools with data specific to their school about the food and waste in school lunchboxes. The image below is a summary of all the data collected from over 18,000 lunchboxes from across 927 classes from 93 schools around Australia.
The average Australia child is likely to be consuming a combination of 10.6 additives in their lunchbox each day of the school week. This does not include what they maybe eating outside of their lunchbox.
Based on what Dr Chris is sharing, this combination is linked to disease. If the science is saying this, what does it mean for our children?
🚨Sadly, it means the lives of many children may be touched by disease at some point of time.🚨
In fact, Australian Stats? What will it mean for our country as these children are our future parents and future leaders. already indicate this is happening with 44% of Australian Children now living with at least one Chronic Health Condition.What will it mean for our country as these children are our future parents and future leaders.
- Prioritise Whole Foods: Make an effort to ensure that the majority of your daily meals and snacks are whole foods.
- Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods: What's one ultra-processed food item (UPF) you can do without this week and ongoing? (we empower children in school to think about if they have 2 packets in their lunchbox today, tomorrow they can take better care of their one body for life and one planet earth by simply leaving 1 packet at home, and bringing an extra vegetable or piece of fruit).
- Lead by Example: Be a role model for your family and friends by eating and providing mostly foods grown in nature.These foods are the friendliest for our body and the planet.