RATIONING .... the unhealthy stuff!

[Guest guest]

http://www.mlive.com/living/flint/index.ssf/2009/11/lets_ration_unhealthy_foods_no.html

 

I am not arguing for or against any particular political stance here, just pro getting rid of the bad stuff in our food supply, or at least being honest, and teaching folks what is bad, why it is bad and leading them to make the correct choices in their personal food supply.

 

Clare

 

Let's ration unhealthy foods, not health care

By Ron Krueger

November 06, 2009, 3:04PM

The hue and cry based on the fear that health care will be "rationed" under federally mandated universal health insurance made me think about other forms of "rationing" that, if implemented, might render the whole hubbub largely moot.

 

Let's have the feds restrict the production of high-fructose corn syrup used to add unnecessary empty calories to cookies, crackers, condiments, cereals, some yogurt, ice cream, preserved meats and many other products.

 

Excessive consumption of this and other simple carbohydrates is linked with metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance. The result is higher than normal levels of both insulin and glucose in one's blood. Increased insulin raises triglyceride levels and other blood fat levels. It interferes with kidney function, increasing blood pressure. The combined effects increase risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other conditions.

 

While we're at it, let's support rationing of all refined sugar and grains. When we eat a lot of these, we remain hungry much of the time, leading us to reach for more of the same products.

The next step is to limit, or ration, if you will, federal subsidies for farmers that encourage them to cultivate corn and soybeans. The subsidies make corn and soybeans and their derivatives dirt cheap.

Without these subsidies, a can of Pepsi might cost more than a head of broccoli, heaven forbid.

Speaking of soft drinks, it isn't just the high-fructose corn syrup that is a concern, it's the phosphorus in them. It is likely that women who get too little calcium and regularly drink pop — including diet pop — are at higher risk of osteoporosis.

 

Another way to have the price of Pepsi reflect its toll on our health is to tax it. Spirits, beer and wine are taxed at the state and federal levels because they can undermine health if consumed in excess.

Let's move on to industrial livestock production. Large-scale poultry, beef and pork enterprises should be restricted, i.e. rationed. These operations require that animals gain weight rapidly, requiring the use of hormones.

 

Because animals are crowded together, they must be fed antibiotics, lest whole groups of them take ill and die. Those antibiotics get into our bodies, reducing the benefits of prescription antibiotics.

Everything from farm/food policy to unhealthy cereals and junk food marketed to children is driven by agribusiness and huge food processors. Let's "ration" their influence by restricting their lobbying activity, political contributions and advertising to kids.

 

You no doubt have seen through my exaggeration by now.

 

In a country with the highest per capita spending for health care, the highest spending for prescription drugs, and the highest rate of obesity, it has dawned on a few people that a lot of us have drawn a bullseye on the wrong targets.

 

Congress, the executive branch and the health-care community are equally guilty. Instead of wrangling over "rationing" of costly disease interventions, they need to join together to see that unhealthy food is expensive and healthy food is affordable.

 

I draw a parallel here to the anti-smoking movement. When experts ganged up on politicians with the overwhelming evidence that smoking and second-hand smoke caused great harm, taxes were increased, smoking was banned in most public places and a large-scale educational effort was launched.

 

The same is true with diet and lifestyle as a predictor of chronic disease. Americans making better choices in how they live will drive change, as will pressuring officials to adjust farm/food policy for the better.

 

It’s all about rationing the right things