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A Food Awakening: Is the Food Industry Finally Creating Healthy Solutions?

From the Show: Naturally Savvy
Summary: Many people in America are waking up to what is in their food, which is changing the scope and direction of the Food Industry.
Air Date: 4/9/14
Duration: 10
Host: Andrea Donsky, RHN and Lisa Davis, MPH
Guest Bio: Robyn O'Brien
A former financial and food industry analyst, who had the opportunity to meet Goldman Sachs' Henry Paulson, Ebay's Meg Whitman and Martha Stewart while working on the desk, Robyn O'Brien is an  author,  public speaker, strategist and mother of four.

She brings insight and detailed analysis to her research on the health of the American food system as documented in her first book, The Unhealthy Truth, and has been called "food's Erin Brockovich" by the New York Times.Her work has appeared on CNN, the Today Show, Good Morning America, FOX News, in the Washington Post and countless media outlets, and she currently writes a popular column for  Prevention while serving as the Executive Director of the AllergyKids Foundation and doing strategic advisory work for companies making trend-setting changes in the food industry.
  • Book Title: The Unhealthy Truth
  • Guest Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robyn-OBrien/93865123205
  • Guest Twitter Account: @unhealthytruth
A Food Awakening: Is the Food Industry Finally Creating Healthy Solutions?
While there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to healthy eating, many people in America are waking up to what is in their food.

Because of this, the natural food and healthy eating movement has become mainstream. Individuals who are speaking about this issue are no longer considered to be "on the fringe."

One of the main reasons for this "food awakening" is the health of yourself and your loved ones. Diseases ranging from cancer and Alzheimer's to allergies have been proven to be instigated by poor quality of diet and nutrition.

As a consumer, you need to pay attention when your health and the health of your loved ones suffers. In order to take personal responsibility for your health, you need to know what is in your food.

And that's where it gets tricky.

The 20th century food options no longer work for 21st century families. Executives of food companies need to understand that the needs of the consumer is changing; if they don't adapt to those needs, they will become irrelevant.

If those companies and brands DO adapt and change their ways, they will gain loyalty and increase profits. A great example of this is Chipolte. This company has really tried to be completely transparent, and has been actively working to remove GMOs, antibiotics and other negative elements from its food offerings.

Other mainstream brands and stores are also starting to wake up, based on consumer demand.

In this segment, Robyn O'Brien joins Andrea and Lisa to discuss the positive strides the food industry is making, as well as the ways you can be a smart and savvy consumer when it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones.