Journal Bob Vila's Hammer's Journal: Healthy America
This journal entry is being created for the evidence of date/time for an idea I have.
The initiative for a healthier and more health-conscious America is staring us right in the face. This site, Nutrition Data represents FDA research and investigation into the foods we eat. It is a very thorough and informative database of literally every product that has Nutrition Facts - probably every food product you can buy. This information is organized very efficiently. Basically, every food product you can look up is listed for all of its nutritional values - calories, fats, sodium, sugars, dietary fiber, protein, and also a plethora of variable information relating to every aspect of the food product's organic complexity. More importantly for this topic direction is the star rating system employed at the site. Not only is the food product calculated for its nutritional value and graphed on the food pyramid for its recommended daily consumption frequency, it is also given a star rating out of 5 stars. The higher the star rating, the better the food product is for you - and therefore is more highly recommended by the FDA for you to eat or drink.
This information is only being used indirectly by anyone who is either health conscious, or just generally interested in finding out about the food they eat. While readily available on the internet, and also on the actual product packaging, Americans are largely unconcerned with referring to those details on the box or wrap when they buy.
Therefore I propose we deliver this star rating to every product. The Health Conscious initiative, if there is one operating in our Congress right now, should be about getting people - Americans - used to looking for a star rating.
Staring you right in the face with every product name will be its value, based on the nutritional data provided by the FDA's mandate, in its traditional form, and now its star rating. People will be able to immediately see the number of stars a product receives and know simply if it is good or bad for them.
As a person with food allergies, I am a professional when it comes to reading ingredients and noticing the different symbols displayed on our foods. Some work effectively, some don't. We use symbols to denote a dairy product, whether or not a product is kosher, or pareve. As these are already in use, this type of integration would be easy to accomplish and for people to understand. Instead of having to read the nutrition facts - which while not a lengthy process is still time consuming if you're in a hurry - will allow customers to trust the star rating, and know that basically they are eating healthy.
In summary, the steps we would need to take would be easy - the symbols are already present, the data is already compiled, and the public is already rather willing to take the initiative when it comes to reading ingredients and checking the nutrition facts. This plan would better the American eating habit, it would allow us to concentrate more easily on eating healthy, and will overall improve the well-being of our society. Why this hasn't happened yet, will remain to be seen. I have already contacted my district representative in Congress, and while I'm awaiting a response from him after the holiday, I will try to find out more information. Any that could be provided here would be greatly appreciated.
The initiative for a healthier and more health-conscious America is staring us right in the face. This site, Nutrition Data represents FDA research and investigation into the foods we eat. It is a very thorough and informative database of literally every product that has Nutrition Facts - probably every food product you can buy. This information is organized very efficiently. Basically, every food product you can look up is listed for all of its nutritional values - calories, fats, sodium, sugars, dietary fiber, protein, and also a plethora of variable information relating to every aspect of the food product's organic complexity. More importantly for this topic direction is the star rating system employed at the site. Not only is the food product calculated for its nutritional value and graphed on the food pyramid for its recommended daily consumption frequency, it is also given a star rating out of 5 stars. The higher the star rating, the better the food product is for you - and therefore is more highly recommended by the FDA for you to eat or drink.
This information is only being used indirectly by anyone who is either health conscious, or just generally interested in finding out about the food they eat. While readily available on the internet, and also on the actual product packaging, Americans are largely unconcerned with referring to those details on the box or wrap when they buy.
Therefore I propose we deliver this star rating to every product. The Health Conscious initiative, if there is one operating in our Congress right now, should be about getting people - Americans - used to looking for a star rating.
Staring you right in the face with every product name will be its value, based on the nutritional data provided by the FDA's mandate, in its traditional form, and now its star rating. People will be able to immediately see the number of stars a product receives and know simply if it is good or bad for them.
As a person with food allergies, I am a professional when it comes to reading ingredients and noticing the different symbols displayed on our foods. Some work effectively, some don't. We use symbols to denote a dairy product, whether or not a product is kosher, or pareve. As these are already in use, this type of integration would be easy to accomplish and for people to understand. Instead of having to read the nutrition facts - which while not a lengthy process is still time consuming if you're in a hurry - will allow customers to trust the star rating, and know that basically they are eating healthy.
In summary, the steps we would need to take would be easy - the symbols are already present, the data is already compiled, and the public is already rather willing to take the initiative when it comes to reading ingredients and checking the nutrition facts. This plan would better the American eating habit, it would allow us to concentrate more easily on eating healthy, and will overall improve the well-being of our society. Why this hasn't happened yet, will remain to be seen. I have already contacted my district representative in Congress, and while I'm awaiting a response from him after the holiday, I will try to find out more information. Any that could be provided here would be greatly appreciated.
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