Privilege and power: How the Dietary Guidelines represent America

A couple of weeks ago, a man I don’t know told me my food comments showed my privilege. He dissected one Facebook video, my off-the-cuff clip which, on that particular day, described my simple lunch made of organic greens, leftover roasted beets, canned mackerel, walnuts, feta and a homemade dressing. He chided that even organic food contains pesticides (often true) which are more carcinogenic than conventional pesticides (yet provided no evidence). I was annoyed, taken aback, felt misjudged. I wanted to be angry, but one of the gifts of social media is that I don’t have to re-engage. So, I didn’t.

Over the next few days, I contemplated the perspective of this human from who-knows-where. What was his story about food? Why did he start a debate with me? What could his comments teach me? What was he seeing as my privilege?

Was it the comment I made about knowing the farmers who grew the beets without any pesticides? Is it a privilege to have access to visiting local farms, or enough space to store fall foods? Surely it’s a privilege to buy organic “spring greens” in winter or to afford organically grown food, at all. Perhaps it was a bigger picture of privilege – me in my kitchen recording a midday video about my well-balanced, high-quality lunch with locally sourced ingredients.

In truth, all those observations are privileges. Though he doesn’t know my struggles, which are very real and permeate my world, having access to locally grown, uncontaminated foods – and time to make and eat them – surely gives me certain advantages over many others in our country. Eating this way means I’m more likely to be healthy in my physical body. Choosing these foods is a freedom many people do not experience. Purchasing and cooking whole foods exhibits an advantageous knowledge of nutrition and cooking skills and the benefits of having a place to store and prepare healthy meals.

Let me be clear: I make sacrifices every day to eat the way I do. Yes, I live in a safe, beautiful place with access to good quality foods year-round. Yes, I work from home and have created a work schedule that allows me to prepare my meals and eat at regular times. Yes, I am fortunate to reside in a community with some farmers who respect the environment and human wellbeing. Yes, I have extensive comprehension of the role of food on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Yes, I know how to eat well to feel well.

I am an idealist – I want these privileges for everyone, everywhere. Maybe that makes me a socialist.

I also suffer from food insecurity. My income is small and because I live in an exclusive community, I give up many luxuries in exchange for what I believe is the most important use of my time and money: being nourished by whole foods raised, prepared and consumed the way Mother Earth intends.

Perhaps my biggest privilege, then, is freedom to choose the foods I eat. I am privileged to possess food and nutrition knowledge. I am privileged to feel well. Knowing what to eat to feel well, where to buy the best quality food while in season, and how to prepare these foods is powerful. Right now, many Americans feel powerless.

I would like to think Americans would be empowered by the updated Dietary Guidelines for America (DGAs) though, without personalized nutrition knowledge, access to uncontaminated whole foods, and the time and skills to prepare these foods, I wonder who these guidelines will serve.

Just as I have so many privileges, I also have the power to write articles, create short videos on social media, record podcasts, guide clients and model wellbeing for my family, friends, clients and community near and far.

Power is in prioritizing what is local to us. Power is in how we care for and nurture each other. Power is how we show up for ourselves and others. Power is looking up, looking outward, looking inward. We start with the power of our inner voices, then translate that call into action, which extend outward.

The Dietary Guidelines for America work in a similar way. A group of people gather data, translate it into something actionable, then share recommendations in a palatable way. Yes, these guidelines often are flawed, do not meet cultural, spiritual or individual beliefs, nor make sense for many people. Once again, the DGAs are reflective of our times – our food system is broken and we are sick. We must return to eating foods our bodies are designed to eat (which the data supports).

Consider the DGA’s overarching message: Eat Real Food. Currently, we have the privilege of living in a country that gives us the power to choose. Our choices are powerful. Every dollar we spend on whole foods from local farmers tells our community that raising food naturally matters. Every time we choose fast food, convenience food and ultra-processed foods, we tell our government that corporate messaging is working, to keep subsidizing commercial agriculture, and that we prefer foods that contribute to our epidemic of chronic disease.

Do I represent most people in America? In some ways, I do not – I do not eat the Standard American (SAD) diet; I am healthy; I have no diagnosed diseases; I take no medications. Yet, like others, I have the freedom to choose, to learn, to prioritize my health in holistic ways, including eating real foods. And it’s working.  

·      Learn more about the updated Dietary Recommendations for America HERE.

·      Read about how I’ve struggled to source local food on a small budget in my book, “Clean Food, Messy Life: A food lover’s conscious journey back to self.”

·      For help personalizing your nutrition and consumption, contact Jamie HERE.