Say NO to Ultra Processed Foods to Improve your Health

It was such an honour to sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Alfonsi, Chief Medical Officer at RxFood, Obesity and lifestyle medicine physician, Internist and ingenious Engineer. We appreciate that he took the time out of his very full schedule to help educate Canadians as part of our 2nd annual Preventative Health Awareness Month/Movement.

As the Co-Founder, Chief Product, and Medical Officer of RxFood, he's revolutionizing healthcare by sharing the importance of food and the impact of processed foods on our health. Dr. Alfonsi emphasizes the need to be mindful of the processing levels of foods and suggests ways to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Dr. Alfonsi also highlights the benefits of involving children in cooking and the role of RX Food in empowering individuals to make healthier food choices. RX Food is a tool that helps individuals understand the nutritional content of their food and provides personalized recommendations for improving diet quality.

Takeaways

• Food is an important pillar of health and can be used to improve overall well-being and manage chronic diseases.
• Ultra-processed foods have been linked to various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and mental health problems.
• Dr. Alfonsi spoke about NOVA -Food Classification System. This reference, was designed by The Center for Epidemiological Studies in Health and Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. NOVA helps people “group foods according to the extent and purpose of the processing they undergo. Food processing as identified by NOVA involved physical, biological and chemical processes that occur after foods are separated from nature, and before they are consumed or used in the preparation of dishes and meals. Dr. Alfonsi discussed how reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods and increasing the intake of whole foods can have significant health benefits.
• Involving children in cooking and teaching them about healthy eating can set them up for a lifetime of good habits.
• RX Food is a tool that can help individuals make healthier food choices by providing personalized recommendations based on their dietary intake.
• Listen to Dr. Alfonsi's episode on our PHAMCAST

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:12 The Importance of Food as Medicine

07:35 The Effects of Processed Foods on Different Age Groups

09:56 Empowering Individuals to Make Healthier Food Choices

23:48 Where to Find More Information about RX Food

24:21 Closing Remarks and how to connect with Dr. Alfonsi & RxFood