Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog
New York Takes A Huge Step Towards Ending Obesity
I would like to congratulate New York on a new law I wasn't aware of until today. New York now has a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription plan. This means that New York now acknowledges that fruits and vegetables have the power to cure disease, something the FDA doesn't exactly agree with.
A doctor in New York can now prescribe "Healthy Bucks" to those who are obese, and they in turn can use them to get fresh fruit from the farmer's markets there. I think it's so cool that New York acknowledged the health benefits of vegetables. It's like a big advertising campaign to wake up the obese people to start eating better. The idea might be slightly over the top, but it's a step in the right direction. It's refreshing to hear of doctors not writing prescriptions for drugs for a change.
Something needs to be done nationally about the epidemic of obesity. As much as many of you laugh at NYC Mayor Bloomberg's failed soda law, where he attempted to make serving any sugar drink larger than 16 oz illegal, you got to admit one thing, at least he is trying to do something about it. Maybe the soda law was ridiculous but let's face it, who needs a 32 oz. soda full of sugar? Recently, I witnessed someone in McDonald's finish a 32 oz drink and proceeded to ask for a refill. I couldn't help but notice he was severely overweight.
I know some people feel that Bloomberg is violating their freedom. I ask those people, what would you do to lower the prevalence of obesity? I know that something needs to be done and maybe the mayor's approach isn't the best way. But when you see an obese guy refilling a large soda, something isn't right. Yes, it's his life but we need to educate people on the dangers of obesity as there are millions of people in danger of diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
Again, congratulations to New York for passing the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Law. If anything, it will get people to talk about solutions to lower the rate of obesity in this country, and that's a step in the right direction.
About the author
Richard Hubbard was once over 350 pounds. After a doctor's physical and finding out he was pre-hypertensive, he decided to make changes and avoid medication. Over the course of a year, Rich lost the first 120 pounds of his incredible 150 pound weight loss. He ate healthy foods based on Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book "Eat To Live". He was mostly plant based, but switched to completely plant based in September of 2016. He also became a vegan in the process as his compassion for animals increased. He credits bodybuilder Robert Cheeke for influencing his decision of going vegan. Rich aspires to be a vegan bodybuilder and is planning his first half marathon this year.
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