Putting Food on the Table: Utah’s "Food Is Medicine" Revolution
Food for thought—and health! In a delightful twist that would make any dad proud, two Utah programs are stirring the pot in the "Food Is Medicine" movement. It’s a concept that’s more than just a tasty morsel of advice; research shows that what we munch on can have a profound effect on our physical and mental health. Spoiler alert: a healthier diet might just save you some serious dough on healthcare costs!
Meet Alma and Oz: Two Inspiring Stories
Say hello to Alma Rivera, who is eagerly anticipating the arrival of her first child next month (cue the baby squeals!). However, during her pregnancy, she found herself on a roller-coaster ride with gestational diabetes. Luckily, her doctor knew just the antidote—a "prescription" for specialized nutrition counseling and food tailored to help keep her blood sugar levels in check. This led her to the University of Utah Health Food Pharmacy, where healthy eating is front and center!
On the other side of the Salt Lake City spectrum, let’s meet Oswald “Oz” Hutton, a 60-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran battling hypertension, arthritis, and chronic pain (talk about a double whammy!). Oz decided to take the wheel in his health journey by opting into nutritional education and getting access to high-quality produce through a partnership program supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Veterans Health Administration. Healing food, here we come!
Food for Thought (and Health!)
Dr. Amy Locke, the chief wellness officer at University of Utah Health, had a few slices of wisdom to share. “When it comes to health risks, dietary factors are the most important modifiable risks for chronic diseases and death. It’s an undercooked topic in healthcare,” she quipped—though we can’t figure out if that’s a burnt pun or a half-baked joke!
Locke points out that health isn’t just about what happens in the doctor’s office—there’s a whole plate of factors like socioeconomic status and lifestyles that come into play. The goal? To blend healthcare with nutritional education and healthier food access, because who wouldn’t want their diet to be on the health menu?
The National Dinner Table: Food and Federal Focus
Moving up to the national level, the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health made quite a splash! It outlined a vision for a healthier America by linking food to health in a big, bold way. With 60% of U.S. adults grappling with diet-related chronic diseases, the call is loud and clear: treating your body right is more than just a wisecrack—it’s essential!
And hold onto your forks, folks! There are 18 million households in the U.S. grappling with food insecurity. The health-related costs of this lack of access skyrocket to an astounding $4 trillion. That’s a bill no one wants to foot!
Veterans Getting Their Veggies!
The Veterans Health Administration has been leading the charge for healthy veterans. Last week, they hosted a congressionally-flavored event to celebrate their partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, which just dropped a cool $100 million towards the “Food Is Medicine” initiative. No word yet on whether the cake was gluten-free!
Hutton is among the 275 veterans participating in a pilot program that aims to assist 2,000 vets tackle diet-related issues while gathering critical data for future recommendations. The best part? Along with their food education, veterans like Oz are also getting $100 a month in gift cards to snag those fresh fruits and veggies. Sorry, fries, you’re not invited!
Retired four-star U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis couldn’t have said it better: access to healthy food can make you feel like a million bucks while saving on healthcare costs. Now that’s a win-win situation!
What’s Cooking at the Food Pharmacy?
So, what exactly is a food pharmacy? Well, it’s not where you pick up a prescription for a double cheeseburger, that’s for sure! The University of Utah Health System is taking the “Food Is Medicine” idea and making it part of clinical practice. Their initiative equips health students with the skills to discuss diet as a wellness tool. It’s a culinary class with a side of health magic!
Patients at the food pharmacy can expect a delightful diet education experience, along with a selection of nutritious groceries tailored to their individual needs. Hold onto your spatulas—these folks can select everything from fresh fruits to tasty proteins! Who knew groceries could be so exciting?
Wrapping It Up with a Healthy Bow
As Alma Rivera puts it, “What’s really cool about the food pharmacy is its blend of education and resources, making healthy eating more accessible.” And with an array of resources available, including bilingual information packets, Utah’s pharmacies are dishing out some serious knowledge, one healthy meal at a time.
So let’s give a round of applause to these programs! In the kitchen of life, they’re cooking up some delicious results—and maybe a dad joke or two along the way. Bon appétit!
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