Why are Famous Athletes Promoting Highly Processed Foods?

By Jim Fanara, CSCS

 If you’ve been watching sports, you may have noticed high profile athletes in commercials advertising highly processed foods such as chips and children’s cereals.

 While this is nothing new, I was disappointed to see that at a time when chronic diseases are on the rise among  Americans, athletes who could be influencers in helping people make healthy food selections choose a different route.

 Obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, elevated triglycerides, high cholesterol, and chronic inflammation are common problems among Americans. These markers are indications of mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic syndrome.

 Metabolic syndrome significantly increases the risk of health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.

 Why should athletes promoting highly processed foods concern golfers? What does this issue have to do with golf performance?

 Dealing with chronic illness is a huge issue for many Americans including golfers. When you are fighting a chronic illness, lowering your golf score is the last thing on your mind.

 Yet golf coaches rarely, if ever, talk about how chronic illness impacts you and therefore your golf game.  And why improving your health can improve your score

 That’s why at Golf Training Hacks we are interested in more than just improving your golf swing. Of course we want you to play better. But our main objective is to help you feel better and move better every day.

 By moving better and feeling better every day, you’ll play better golf and you’ll be able to continue playing golf for a long time.

 But more importantly, that will help you live a more active and enjoyable life.

 Accomplishing this includes more than just exercise.

 Accomplishing this includes more than just exercise. It includes making healthy choices in a variety of areas.

 A great place to start learning about the health crisis in America and what you can do to avoid chronic illness is thoroughly covered in the books Good Energy  by Dr. Casey Means and  Outlive by Dr Peter Attia.

 Here’s something to consider.

 Next time you’re at a game, the mall or watching golf on TV, look at the people. Watch how they move, how fit they look, how much extra weight they have. You might be shocked at what you see when you actually pay attention to it.

 Then consider this, how many of those people, if not for one or more prescriptions, would be very sick, unable to handle daily activities or possibly be dead. And how many of those people engage in the lifestyle choices that have placed them in that situation.

 Simply making better choices regarding food  would go a long way to changing health outcomes.

 I get it, it’s simple but not easy because of the  amount of processed food products available. Also,  advertising and packaging make it very difficult to make healthy choices.

 Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against having a few potato chips once in a while, dessert, and a glass of wine if you have all the other lifestyle factors contributing to chronic illness under control.

 When I see athletes promoting unhealthy food products, I wonder is it just about the money or are they actually unaware of the causes of health issues facing Americans? Maybe, like so many Americans, they just don’t connect the dots?

 Whatever the reason, it’s certainly not helping people start making the right food choices.

 If you’d like to learn more about how issues that impact your health can impact your golf swing, check out our free newsletter.

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