The Green Room

Families are rediscovering simple, healthy foods

By Sara Baer-Sinnott on February 8, 2012 Leave a comment

Here at Oldways, we have been advocating for healthy eating ever since 1990 when our nonprofit was founded to remind families of the joy of traditional, heritage foods.

On Tuesday, Oldways was invited to Washington D.C. to learn about Walmart’s new Great for You Icon on healthier foods. We were especially interested in the company’s updates on its healthier foods commitments, including reformulation of foods to reduce sodium and sugars and remove industrially produced trans fats.

One of the biggest myths about healthy food is that when you reduce salt or sugars, you lose flavor. Simple, traditional food is delicious, and I’m very hopeful and excited because Americans are waking up to this. They are ready to change.

We encourage everyone to return to the vibrant foods of their ancestors, the “old ways.” Our traditional diet pyramids are the basis of this – whether you look to the Mediterranean, Asian, Latin or African Heritage Diet Pyramid – these healthy eating pyramids are guides to better health. And with a grant from the Walmart Foundation, we are now able to put our African Heritage Diet Pyramid into practice with a nutrition education program to promote dietary changes in the African-American community.

The African Heritage Diet is low in processed sugar, unhealthy fats, and sodium and based on an abundance of colorful fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens; tubers like sweet potatoes; beans of all kinds; nuts and peanuts; rice, flatbreads and other grain foods, especially whole grains; healthy oils; homemade sauces and marinades of herbs and spices; fish, eggs, poultry and yogurt; and minimal consumption of meat and sweets. Sounds pretty good, right?

We invite you to explore traditional diets, and use our resources as a guide. Try a new recipe, and cook your family a heritage meal. Good food and drink are among life’s greatest pleasures to be celebrated with friends and family. That’s why we are working so hard to help Americans make informed choices that will lead to long, healthy and happy lives.

Sara Baer-Sinnott
President, Oldways

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Walmart’s reformulation update

Walmart has worked to reduce sodium and added sugars in 165 food items over the last year.

They include:

• 15 percent sodium reduction in Great Value ketchup
• Average15 percent sodium reduction in Great Value canned vegetables.
• More than 70 percent sodium reduction in fresh steaks, roasts and other muscle cuts of beef.