Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed significant changes to the U.S. food industry, including banning harmful additives, promoting sustainable farming, and overhauling nutrition guidelines. These changes align closely with homesteading values such as transparency, sustainability, and consumer health. While these reforms could support healthier food systems, their success will depend on public acceptance and successful implementation.

What is SAD?

The Standard American Diet (SAD) is often ironic because it contributes to poor health. Characterized by high processed food consumption, excessive sugar, refined carbs, and a lack of fresh, whole foods, SAD has been linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Here are some of the key issues with the SAD:

High Processed Food Consumption

-SAD is rich in ultra-processed foods, such as fast food, sugary snacks, and packaged meals, high in unhealthy fats and artificial additives.

-Health Impact: These foods lack essential nutrients and promote inflammation, gut issues, and chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease.

Higher Sugar and Refined Carb Intake

- Overview:SAD includes high levels of added sugars and refined carbs, often from sodas, snacks, and baked goods.

- Health Impact: Excess sugar and refined carbs lead to insulin resistance, weight gain, and increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. In contrast, countries like Italy have lower sugar intake and use whole grains, making better blood sugar control.

Lower Fresh Food Consumption

- Overview: SAD offers fewer servings of fresh produce and whole foods, focusing more on processed carbohydrates and high-fat processed foods.

- Health Impact: This leads to nutrient deficiencies, missing out on essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre that help prevent diseases like cancer, heart disease, and digestive issues.

Higher Levels of Artificial Additives

- Overview: SAD foods often contain artificial additives, colourings, and preservatives to extend shelf life and enhance flavour.

- Health Impact: These chemicals, linked to allergic reactions, hyperactivity in children, and long-term health risks like cancer, are less common in countries with stricter food regulations.

The Role of Raw Dairy and Fatty Meat

- Overview: Recent studies show that high-quality raw dairy and fatty meats, especially in ketogenic or real food diets, support metabolic health and can even reverse type 2 diabetes.

- Health Impact: High-fat diets, like keto, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and promote weight loss. Traditional diets that include fatty meats and raw dairy show better health outcomes compared to processed food reliance.

Lack of Food Diversity

- Overview: SAD often lacks food variety, with many people eating similar processed snacks or fast food daily.

- Health Impact: A lack of food diversity means missing out on the health benefits of a variety of nutrients, which are abundant in diets like those in Japan, India, and the Mediterranean.

Emphasis on Convenience and Fast Food

- Overview: Convenience and fast food are major parts of SAD, often due to time constraints, finances, or accessibility.

- Health Impact: Fast food is nutrient-poor, calorie-dense, and high in unhealthy fats and sugars, contributing to rising obesity and health problems. In contrast, countries like Italy prioritize home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients, supporting better long-term health.

Conclusion: Shifting Away from SAD

The SAD is linked to various health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, diets in other countries emphasize whole foods, smaller portions, and balanced nutrition. Shifting towards a real food diet with less processed food could significantly improve public health. Kennedy's proposed changes to the food industry align with these goals and could foster healthier food systems if successfully implemented, ultimately benefiting the U.S. and potentially countries like Australia.