Doctors prescribing fruits and vegetables to patients
...I'm not sure how to feel about this.
TL;DR version: Doctors in two New York City hospitals are writing, no joke, prescriptions (basically, coupons) for fruits and vegetables, to help their patients get healthier.
I'm sure lots of people need to eat more fruits and vegetables (I sure do), but I would like to think most don't need a DOCTOR to tell them how to eat healthy--they would if they had the budget for it.
To be fair, one undeniably great part about the idea is that programs are springing up to help people afford healthier food--but somehow this sounds like something with an AWFUL lot of potential to be just another fat-shaming tool. The first time I saw this, all I could picture was someone on the higher end of the BMI scale being told "You should be eating at least five servings a day of vegetables," and the patient replying, "Yeah, and I already do!"
Thoughts?
TL;DR version: Doctors in two New York City hospitals are writing, no joke, prescriptions (basically, coupons) for fruits and vegetables, to help their patients get healthier.
I'm sure lots of people need to eat more fruits and vegetables (I sure do), but I would like to think most don't need a DOCTOR to tell them how to eat healthy--they would if they had the budget for it.
To be fair, one undeniably great part about the idea is that programs are springing up to help people afford healthier food--but somehow this sounds like something with an AWFUL lot of potential to be just another fat-shaming tool. The first time I saw this, all I could picture was someone on the higher end of the BMI scale being told "You should be eating at least five servings a day of vegetables," and the patient replying, "Yeah, and I already do!"
Thoughts?