Not only apples, it seems, have the potential to “keep the doctor away”. Research has shown time and time again how important it is to eat a balanced, nutritious diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low and nonfat dairy, and lean protein to reduce the risk of co-morbidities and chronic disease. Unfortunately, according to the CDC, over 76% of Americans suffer from one or more chronic conditions, and more than 51% of Americans suffer from multiple chronic conditions. Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are partially to blame for the increasing trend in chronic disease. As the health crisis steadily rises, we must take initiative to promote healthier lifestyles, starting with diet. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” yet healthcare providers cannot prescribe a nutritious diet as a treatment option for their patients. The healthcare industry spends trillions of dollars a year treating patients with chronic illness, which is unsustainable in the long term, especially if rates of chronic disease continue to rise. I propose insurance coverage of nutritious foods for patients requiring diet intervention. Insurance coverage will encourage healthcare providers to prescribe healthier eating as part of a patient’s treatment plan. It will also give patients the tools to eat healthier who otherwise have limited access to nutritious options. Pharmaceuticals can cost thousands of dollars per prescription, yet are typically the first line of treatment in almost all cases. Diet, on the other hand, is not a new intervention method, but is less widely accepted. I understand it is more convenient to treat with medicine than to recondition lifelong habits, and I agree that modern medicine is a fantastic tool in treating illness. But if we can find a way to promote both options as a treatment plan, I think diet as an intervention method will be a more widely accepted practice amongst healthcare providers to treat and prevent disease. Additionally, I propose a partnership program that promotes healthy eating to those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Each year, consumer reports reported “10.1 million tons of food are tossed at farms. Fruits and vegetables account for most of what’s thrown away.” A considerable portion of the food being tossed is simply due to its appearance. Misfits Market is a company that partners with farmers to provide sustainable produce whose only difference from regular market produce is its misshapen or discolored appearance. Following this model, I suggest partnering with farmers and providing these same goods to SNAP and WIC participants at a reduced cost, to encourage spending their stipends on healthier options. Furthermore, education tactics will be enforced to ensure providers know and educate their patients on food as a treatment option. Likewise, SNAP and WIC participants will be notified regularly of the nutritious eating discount and encouraged to take advantage of the reduced cost. As a dietetics student, my education focuses on the idea that food is medicine. Contrarily, my career goal of becoming a physician’s assistant utilizes pharmaceutical practices as its primary intervention strategy. My dietetics background is why I believe it is essential to integrate both methods into treatment plans, and ensure everyone has proper education and access to nutritious foods, no matter a person’s socioeconomic or geographical circumstances. It is a privilege to pursue a career in dietetics and I look forward to improving my patient's quality of life, one apple at a time.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” yet healthcare providers cannot prescribe a nutritious diet as a treatment option for their patients. Unfortunately, according to the CDC, over 76% of Americans suffer from one or more chronic conditions, and more than 51% of Americans suffer from multiple chronic conditions. The healthcare industry spends trillions of dollars a year treating patients with chronic illness, expending countless resources, time, and money. This excess use of supplies is unsustainable in the long term, especially if rates of chronic disease continue to rise. As a dietetics student and someone passionate about protecting our planet, I wanted to explore what we can do to allocate our resources better while promoting healthy lifestyles for all. Instead of taking a reactive approach to healthcare and treating illness, the more sustainable option would be to take preventative measures. Patients who lead healthy lifestyles will require less time spent in the hospital, which means fewer resources spent on treating patients for years on end who suffer from chronic illness. We can start with insurance coverage of nutritious foods for patients requiring diet intervention. Insurance coverage will encourage healthcare providers to prescribe healthier eating as part of a patient’s treatment plan. It will also give patients the tools to eat healthier, especially those with limited access to nutritious options. Pharmaceuticals can cost thousands of dollars per prescription, yet are typically the first line of treatment in almost all cases. Diet, on the other hand, is not a new intervention method, but is less widely accepted. While I agree that modern medicine is a fantastic tool in treating illness, I also believe reconditioning lifelong habits will benefit more in the long run. Preventative healthcare practices promote sustainability and a healthier population and planet. Additionally, I propose a partnership program that promotes healthy eating to those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Consumer Reports reported that “10.1 million tons of food are tossed at farms each year. Fruits and vegetables account for most of what’s thrown away.” A considerable portion of the food being tossed is simply due to its appearance. Misfits Market is a company that partners with farmers to provide sustainable produce whose only difference from regular market produce is its misshapen or discolored appearance. Following this model, I suggest partnering with farmers and providing these same goods to SNAP and WIC participants at a reduced cost, to encourage spending their stipends on healthier options. On a global scale, I suggest utilizing genetically modified bio-fortified organisms to enhance nutrient content. This solution would primarily benefit countries with economic disparity and provide their populations with staples with improved nutrient content. Malnourishment is a huge issue in many third-world countries. While the produce volume available is enough to sustain entire populations, its people cannot afford to purchase nutritious options. Modifying staple foods such as rice, beans, wheat, barley, and potatoes has positive implications on both the people and the environment. Contrary to popular belief, bioengineered organisms can be modified to produce higher yields on less land, drought, pest, and blight-resistant crops, and crops with longer shelf lives. All of these promote sustainability and more effective use of resources. Though much remains to be accomplished to save our planet, I feel that starting with my proposed initiatives will make a big difference. Humans thrive in healthy environments, and the only way to ensure our environment thrives is if we are healthy, too. Let's save the planet, one apple at a time.

Just like other countless young, impressionable girls, I struggled with disordered eating during the majority of my teenage years as an athlete. My struggle with food binging, restriction, and bulimia started to affect my performance. Some days I struggled to keep up with our conditioning routine; I was tired and irritable. It wasn’t until a dietitian came to speak to my high school cheerleading team about the importance of athlete nutrition that it clicked. I realized just how important it was that I heal my relationship with food. Though it was a taxing journey, I eventually viewed food in a healthier manner. I have come to realize that properly fueling my body has a huge impact on how I feel. Physically, I have less discomfort, I have more steady energy throughout the day, and working out doesn't feel as daunting as it used to. Mentally, I no longer feel this heavy weight on my mind to look a certain way because I am more focused on adding healthy foods to my diet, not eating less to maintain an image. My self-confidence improved, and with that so did my relationships with friends and family. I believe healthy eating habits are a fundamental part of living. Without them, our short-term comfort and long-term health are threatened. With the technology being utilized today in healthcare, a person could probably get away with eating a nutrient-deficient diet and still live to a decent age. The difference between them and someone who takes into account what they are eating is quality of life years down the road. The former may live to be 70 years old but was connected to a ventilator for the past 10 years of their life. The latter may also live to be 70 but will get to enjoy playing ball with their grandkids. A healthy diet increases longevity and improves standards of living. It additionally prevents and can sometimes even reverse the likelihood of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and certain cancers. I am extremely passionate about the subject of healthy eating habits, which is why I am pursuing a career in dietetics. I want to work in a hospital with patients one-on-one for a more personal experience. Eventually, I would love to start my own practice and work specifically with people who are struggling with eating disorders– like I once did. I want to let the world know just how important it is to have a healthy diet, but for now, I hope my message in this essay will suffice.