Wellness with Dr. Amy: National Food Day and The Food Day Challenge

National Food Day

National Food Day is on October 24, 2015. The theme this year is "Toward a Greener Diet." What does this mean? To keep it simple it means to eat real food. Eat real food that is produced locally. Eat real food that is produced locally and sustainably. How do we do this? Start at your local farmer's market. Get to know your vendors and ask where the food was grown. Ask about growing practices.

Why is this important?

The typical American diet is contributing to obesity which greatly increases a person’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases. Eating real food can improve your health and the health of your family. By supporting sustainable and organic farming methods you also make the world a better and healthier place.

Doesn't this cost a lot of money? No! Eating locally produced food is actually cheaper than buying mass produced processed food. Don't believe me? Try it. I challenge everyone to take the Food Day Challenge. The challenge is to allow a budget of $5 per person per day and plan a menu for 3 days.

Food Day Challenge Rules:

· Pick any 3 days in October

· Allow for $5 per person per day

Allowable items include:

Whole grains: breads, rice, cereal
Fruits and vegetables
Meats, fish and poultry
Dairy products

· You may use coupons.

· You are allowed to “share” (For example if the item is “Buy One Get One” you can split the cost with a friend)

Items that are not allowed:

· Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco

· Pet foods

· Soaps, paper products

· Household supplies

· Vitamins and medicines

· Hot foods

Please take the challenge and share your experience. In upcoming posts, I’ll share how I fed my family for just $5 per person per day.