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September 10, 2025

Food Is the Foundation and the Problem

Healthwise, is the U.S. the worst off among developed countries?

Evidence shows that the U.S. has some of the poorest health outcomes among high-income and developed nations, despite outspending all of them.

The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other country — around 17 to 18% of GDP and over $13,000 per person in 2023 — nearly double the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average. But despite this spending, Americans have:

  • Life expectancy of about 77 years in 2020–21, the lowest among large, wealthy countries and below the OECD average of roughly 80 years.
  • The highest rate of avoidable or preventable deaths at around 336 deaths per 100K, versus the OECD average of about 225.

Chronic Disease and Obesity

The obesity rate of 43% in the U.S. is nearly double the OECD average of 26%. Obesity fuels chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. More than 30% of U.S. adults have two or more chronic conditions, compared to around 17% in France.

Further, Americans spend on average 12.4 years of their life living with illness, the highest burden of disease among 183 countries studied.

Why Is the U.S. So Out‑of‑Step?

We can't talk about poor health in America without talking about food. What we eat — and how we eat — is one of the biggest drivers of chronic disease.

  • Heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and many cancers are strongly linked to diet — and these are among the leading causes of death in the U.S.
  • The CDC estimates that 6 in 10 adults have a chronic disease, most of which are exacerbated by poor nutrition.

Ultra-Processed Foods Dominate the American Diet

  • Nearly 60% of calories Americans consume come from ultra-processed foods — think boxed snacks, sugary cereals, soda, fast food, frozen pizza.
  • These foods are high in sugar, salt, seed oils, and additives but low in nutrients and fiber. They're designed to be addictive, not nourishing.
  • Even foods labeled as organic, non-GMO, and all-natural often contain chemicals and artificial ingredients — including poor-quality sugar and salt.

The Biggest Culprit

The lab-made food that companies are pushing comes in slick packaging. Corporations are convincing many consumers that cooking is unnecessary — that the food industry can do it for you.

Even solutions created to help — like the Yuka app, which is used to scan products and find the healthiest options — still guide consumers to a package, not produce.  

Cooking at Home Is in Decline

  • Americans now spend more on dining out than on groceries.
  • When people do cook, it's often reheating or assembling ingredients from boxed products rather than cooking with fresh ingredients.
  • This shift has eroded cooking skills, kitchen confidence, and control over what's actually in our meals.

Food Culture Matters: And Ours Is Broken

In countries with better health — like France and Italy — food is still connected to pleasure, family, and tradition. In the U.S., it's often tied to speed, stress, and shame. Eating on the go, snacking in place of real meals, and crash dieting to undo the damage have become common patterns — replacing the simple act of sitting down to enjoy satisfying, nourishing food.

America's Health Crisis Is Also a Food Crisis

We can't prescribe supplements or medications to heal a broken food culture. What we need is a solid foundation and daily routine of:

  • Real meals
  • Fresh, whole ingredients
  • A return to the table and a good routine to enjoy

This lifestyle isn't just about preventing disease. It's also about enjoying food again. Feeling well. Living well. Sharing meals. Teaching our kids to cook. Finding flavor in simple, fresh ingredients.

And let's not forget that the healthiest countries in the world eat cheese, pasta, chocolate, and bread — but they choose quality, eat sensible portions, and take their time to savor.

Real food, real meals, real joy. That's the recipe for better health.

Build Your Foundation

If it's time to make a few changes to the way you cook and eat, start here.

Explore these related blog posts for practical tips on making meals more manageable and meaningful — cooking with fresh ingredients and creating a simple, satisfying routine around food. You can also sign up here to be the first to know when my new book is released — it's your guide to making real meals with joy. Each small step brings you closer to feeling well, living well, and sharing meals that nourish both body and soul.

A great home-cooked meal can be as simple as gathering leftovers and a little of this and that — without much cooking!

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Cleaning out the fridge on our last night in Sardinia made a great dinner with friends!

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