because we can't trust the US Government
Last year, the US government presented its Dietary Guidelines for Americans for the next five years. At first when I saw it, I didn't think much of it (cautioning sugar, endorsing healthy eating patterns, blah, blah, blah), but now, as a Health Coach, I see nutrition through a different lens and have to fill you in. Something's just not right and you should know.
Just like any industry, politics are involved and everyone's looking to make money so these guidelines aren't exactly looking out for your best interest. Do you really think they're going to say something like, Red meat is bad for you and can lead to cancer or processed meats can kill you? Of course not. It can't be that loud and clear, because it would upset the big four meatpackers, (the four firms that control over 80% of the meat slaughtered), who gross billions of dollars each year. The government can't risk shaking that up, now can they?
Instead, the guidelines lightly warn against red and processed meat by saying, "reduce saturated fat" and "eat more lean protein." Read between the lines! You tell me, why do you think that is?
Don't even get me started on "the big four." About 35 million cattle are slaughtered in the U.S. annually by 60 major beef-packing operations processing around 26 billion pounds of beef. (source)
Tyson for example, which we all know and some love, slaughters almost 30,000 cattle per day. Per day! Did you see the story about Freddie? The cow who escaped from the slaughter house in Queens and was saved by an angel of a farmer? I digress... anyway, Tyson's beef sales are 12.7 billion per year. Do you really think any sort of government controlled health guidelines are going to risk that?
Even though I'm vegan-ish (still eat eggs), I'm not against meat eaters. My husband, family and friends all eat meat and I respect their decision just as they respect mine. But when it comes to "Dietary Guidelines," read through the lines, because the government doesn't have your back.
