This morning, my 16-year-old asked me to pack more carrots and apples in his lunch.
It was a small but miraculous moment.
For years, we’ve gone back and forth about nutrition—how food fuels his body, keeps his skin clear, strengthens his brain, and supports his immune system.
As a mom, I’ve struggled to find the right balance. At times, I took a hard stance, refusing to bring prepackaged junk food into the house. That approach rarely ended well. While I still put my foot down on some choices, I’ve learned that demanding compliance isn’t the answer.
Instead, I’ve chosen to plant seeds.
Rather than saying, “This is how you should eat,” I’ve taught him to listen to his body:
- Are you feeling run-down?
- Are you getting sick more often?
- Is stress wearing you down?
- How does your stomach feel?
- How do you feel in your body overall?
Lately, he’s been exhausted—pushing hard with school and sports, not feeling fully rested. And this morning, he asked for as many fruits and vegetables as I could give him.
I know this doesn’t mean our battles over Keebler Fudge Stripes and Hot Cheetos are over. He’s still a 16-year-old boy, surrounded by food choices that don’t always serve him. But today was a win, a sign that the seeds I’ve been planting are taking root.
For my boys, eating well isn’t just about how they feel now. Their genetics predispose them to inflammation and premature aging. The better they take care of themselves early on, the lower their risk of developing chronic diseases later in life.
And this is why what I recently saw on Instagram caught my attention.
The post claimed that the American Heart Association testified against removing junk food from Texas school lunches. Why? Follow the money. The food industry and the pharmaceutical industry are deeply intertwined—one profits from keeping us hooked on processed foods, while the other benefits when those choices lead to poor health.
While I didn’t find direct evidence that the AHA opposed removing junk food from Texas schools, they did testify against a Texas bill that would have restricted SNAP benefits from being used to buy sugary drinks and processed snacks. Their concern? That limiting access to these items might not improve diets but could instead worsen food insecurity.
Here’s a video explaining the AHA’s position on the bill:
📺 Watch Here: American Heart Association Opposes Texas SNAP Sugary Food and Drink Restrictions
This highlights an important reality: nutrition policies are rarely straightforward. While organizations may advocate for healthier choices, corporate sponsorships and economic interests often complicate the conversation.
Every day, we have choices that either support or sabotage our bodies.
Food can heal us or harm us. I see this every day in my clinic, in my own life, and in my children.
So here’s my challenge for you: What is one thing you’ll say no to today—one food, habit, or choice—so that you can say yes to your health?
The answer to disease prevention lies in unlocking the body’s own defenses.
Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi (2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Medicine for his discoveries on autophagy)