How Nutrition Has Changed

There once was a time long, long ago…

During the holiday season, the idea of home cooked meals circles the mind. I can’t help but think of the stories my parents would share about grandma or great grandma making a meal from scratch. Oh yes, they could whip anything up, making enough for an army, too! That can’t be too hard, right? Let me Pinterest that…

Oh wait, you work full-time, have kids, want to relax? No worries, just toss some “all natural” chicken tenders in the oven and pop those green beans in the microwave. Nothing is fried, and the kids will get their protein and greens, right?

Great grandma was doing it right. She had at her disposal nutritional packed wild game and meats, even those tantalizing organ meats, eggs likely from local livestock, and usually fruits and veggies from her own garden. She wouldn’t fathom tossing in a toaster strudel for breakfast and grabbing some Starbucks on the way into work. However, processed foods and convenience are now the way of the world.

Pour Some Sugar on Me

Food processing methods makes food more accessible, convenient, safe, and appetizing. Some foods are minimally processed, like our fresh meat, milk, grains, fruits and veggies. This involves cleaning, refrigerating and freezing, pasteurization, and fermenting. Then there are the ultra-processed foods. These are foods with a wealth of additives; the stuff that’s “ready in minutes,” because who has time for anything else?

It’s no mystery that we as a collective nation love our expedient meals. A study by Martinez Steele et. al (2016) revealed new data that ultra-processed foods represent more than half of all calories in the US diet, and contribute nearly 90% of all added sugars. Well, that in part helps to explain the whole obesity thing and ongoing burden of disease, huh? These ultra-processed foods are devoid of nutrients and can quickly weigh the balance of our diet towards the side of dietary deficiency.

Wilted Ways

Okay, so maybe you do make a strong effort on behalf of you and your family’s health and wellness. You meal prep every Sunday and you are always sure to have fresh fruits and veggies on hand. Great, but things aren’t always what they seem...

According to a study published by Donald David et. al in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in 2004, the USDA nutrient data for 43 garden crops from 1950 to 1999 showed a statistically significant decline in 6 important nutrients including a 6% drop in protein content and a 15-38% drop in calcium, riboflavin (Vitamin B2), phosphorus, and Vitamin C.

Davis (2009) summarizes in his article that “recent studies of historical nutrient content data for fruits and vegetables spanning 50 to 70 years show apparent median declines of 5% to 40% or more in minerals, vitamins, and protein in groups of foods, especially in vegetables.”

So, imagine the discrepancy in nutrient density now, many years later, with an increased population size requiring food demand and supply. Overall, it’s alarming to recognize the change in the value of our nutrition.

You are What You Eat

As I have pointed out, our diets likely cannot provide the multitude of life sustaining nutrients that we need. We mustn’t forget that nutrients are the foundation on which we thrive. Remember biology class and learning about how our cellular energy is made? Those cycles function because of the nutrients in our bodies, and without them, things don’t operate well; our DNA isn’t made, our body systems don’t thrive, hormones are dysregulated, and we feel, well, off! Brain fog and fatigue ensue, we feel depressed, anxious, and don’t sleep well.

Don’t fret, however. This is where we take the knowledge into our own hands.

Nutritional supplementation can help. It can be something as simple as taking a daily multivitamin, or, if you have a particular illness, you can target certain nutritional support aimed toward what might be beneficial to you. Now more than ever it is time open our eyes to our nutrition and how that creates a foundation for our health. Remember that pandemic we are trying to fight? Use this awareness, and start to make a change for yourself. Reach out to your primary care provider or a local nutritionist to help you sort through the noise, because it can be overwhelming. Even if you are a healthy individual, it is still vital to be aware of how nutrient deficiency can affect your body. Stay confident with this new found information, and use this knowledge to support your health and optimize your nutrition.