The Importance of Nutrition Security
It’s hard for many of us to imagine what it would be like not to have access to enough food to adequately meet our dietary needs and overall well-being.
Most of us have food security, but what about not having access to foods that provide the necessary nutritional quality, leaving you and your family in a loop of having to purchase highly processed, relatively nutrient-void foods with most of it coming from factories instead of farms?
These types of foods are highly caloric and have little to no nutritional viability. Nutrition security looks at individuals and their unique dietary requirements often specific to a chronic health condition or with an aim at preventing adverse health outcomes.
Today, more than two billion people are not hungry, but lack sufficient nutrients, and concerns are growing over the third aspect of malnutrition: overweight and obesity. This is due, mainly, to the over-consumption of energy-dense foods (and especially ‘empty’ calories) but also to other factors, such as insufficient exercise and genetics. Together, these lead to diet-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
While this information is unsettling, it is reassuring to know that we can change the data and make a difference in people’s lives.
Culinary Angels has the unique opportunity to provide nutrient-secure meals to our recipients by partnering with local organic gardens, Fertile Groundworks and Sunflower Hill, and being conscious about the ingredients we utilize. In addition, we serve as a resource to educate others in our quest.
Please take a few moments to watch a new video about Culinary Angels and how we provide nutritional support to the many in need throughout the Tri-Valley.
In gratitude,
Lisa McNaney
Founder, Executive Director
REFERENCES
ª Project Open Hand July, 2020
ª Nature Food Publication, January 2020
Ingram, J. Nutrition security is more than food security. Nat Food 1, 2 (2020): https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-019-0002-4
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