Food Drives:

Please be mindful when donating food this year:

The holidays are around the corner and that means food drives are in full force. If you decide to contribute this winter season, please keep in mind that the majority of canned and boxed food is processed crap. These unhealthy, low-quality donations are made by well-intentioned people who perhaps don’t understand the connection between obesity, processed food, and hunger.

Here’s my quick and dirty explanation of the problem: We experience food cravings or hunger pangs when our bodies go without adequate nutrition. Using processed foods to quell hunger doesn’t work because processed foods are loaded with calories, fat, MSG and sugar – not nutrition. The more our diets consist of processed food, the more we need to eat to feel satiated.

Americans are overweight and starving at the same time because we are stuffing ourselves with food that doesn’t satisfy our bodies. People who utilize food banks need real food. So put the box of reconstitutable whatever back on the shelf and make the wise choice to donate truly nutritious foods instead. 

Some better food drive donation choices:

Organic baby food (the only item that many food banks will accept in a glass jar)

Raw cashew or almond butter

Dried or canned beans

Brown rice

Dehydrated fruit

Canned albacore in water

Tea, coffee, bottled water

Olive oil

Thick rolled or steel cut oats

If you donate macronutrient rich specialty items like quinoa, chia seeds or hemp hearts, there is a chance that the recipient may have no clue what to do with them, so these groceries might not get eaten. While I do support the organic variety of each item listed above, especially for the baby food, I don’t believe in processed food that is marketed as organic. Despite a different label, the product is still processed junk, and good people are being duped into buying what they think is a healthy alternative.

Be smart about the food choices you make for yourself and take pride in the food that you share with others. I know you want to get rid of that dusty can of Spam in your cabinet, but please, resist the urge to donate food you don’t want for yourself. Give something that makes a real difference, sparks a bit of joy at the dinner table, and improves the health of someone in need.

Read more: Take Pride In Food Drive Donations · NYU Local http://nyulocal.com/on-campus/2013/11/22/take-pride-in-food-drive-donations/#ixzz2mYGkwE5L 

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