Open Letter To My Pediatrician

Dear Doc,

Recently, I took my kids to visit you for their annual wellness checkup and I was given some information that disturbed me. While we waited for you to meet with us and in an effort to calm down my kids,  I began to read aloud your medical group’s handout on suggested food items. I thought this would be a good moment to educate my kids and share with them what your office believed to be a list of good and bad food suggestions. Boy, was I wrong? The list was divided into three parts; Go Foods, Slow Foods and WHOA Foods. GO Foods were items that were suggested we eat often, Slow Foods sometimes, and WHOA Foods, rarely.  Houston, we have a problem. As I read said items, I began to feel my blood pressure rise. Why is this dated list of boxed crap being distributed? People are being steered down a very dangerous path.  I can’t accept this list as something I see as accurate or beneficial to anyone’s health.  Health issues, such as obesity and chronic illness, are the norm in this country and only getting worse.  You are suggesting fat-free options of processed food items be consumed on a regular basis. I believe in my heart of hearts the very items you are suggesting as good food choices on this “Family Healthy Diet Sheet” are the reason so many people are sick.  I have made it a point in my life, a job per se, to educate myself on the subject of food. I am worried for people who aren’t educated on this matter and instead rely on you to give them sound information. Help me understand.

This is similar to what was handed to me at the doc’s office.

I broke out some of the suggested food items in the various food categories that catapulted me into orbit. Our physicians are suggesting diet soda be a GO FOOD people! Deep breathing in a brown bag over here. This is a crime. I’m so disgusted.

GO Foods

-fat-free or low-fat milk

-fat-free cheese

-tuna canned in water

-fat-free creamy salad dressings, fat-free mayonnaise, fat-free sour cream

-diet soda, diet iced tea, and lemonade

Slow Foods

-All vegetables with added fat and sauces

-100% fruit juice

-2% low-fat milk, processed cheese spread

-chicken and turkey with skin, nuts, whole eggs

-low-fat or fat-free frozen yogurt, ginger snaps, low-fat popcorn.

-olive oil, oil-based salad dressing, soft margarine, low-fat creamy may, low-fat sour cream

WHOA Foods

-crackers made with trans fats

-fruits canned in heavy syrup

-whole milk, full-fat American cheese

-stick margarine, butter, sour cream, cream cheese dips

-whole milk, regular soda and fruit drinks with anything less than 100% fruit juice

The suggestion that nuts and olive oil be in the Slow Foods list bothered me a great deal, but what bothered me more was there being processed food items on this list at all. When I challenged you on this matter you suggested I write a letter to the medical board.  You also suggested this list was geared toward a wide demographic. Were you suggesting this list must consist of more “affordable” food items because many families need to have access to lesser expensive options? I am asking you to review this list in its entirety.  It is simple. Whole foods are GO foods. Everything else in moderation.