Food Bullying Podcast

  Two moms with unique insight on food and health. Michele Payn & Eliz Greene are both authors and professional speakers, but come from very different backgrounds - and like to debate. Tune in to the final episode of Food Bullying podcast season one for a candid conversation about their work in health, agriculture, and nutrition.  Michele Payn Known as one of the leading voices in connecting farm and food, Michele helps you simplify safe food choices while understanding food bullying. An international award winning author, she brings common sense to the overly emotional food conversation and gets perspective from the cows in her front yard. Michele is a mom who is tired of the guilt trips around food, so she wrote Food Bullying: How to Avoiding Buying B.S. She’s also a kick boxing professional speaker who has helped thousands of people understand the real story behind food. Michele’s work has appeared in USA Today, Food Insight, CNN, Food & NutritionMagazine, NPR and many other media outlets. Armed with science, compelling stories, and a lifetime on the farm, Michele will upend the way you think about food. She is also the author of No More Food Fights! and Food Truths from Farm to Table, an IPPY award winner in health, medicine and nutrition.  Eliz Greene Surviving a heart attack at age 35 while seven months pregnant with twins propelled Eliz Greene on a mission to share her story to inspire other busy people to pay attention to their health. As a professional speaker, she shares down-to-earth strategies on wellness, leadership, and stress management. Recognizing stress as an essential and often under-addressed risk factor, Eliz conducted a research study on job stress and is writing Stress-Proof Your Life.  She was named as a Top Online Influencer on Stress and Heart Health. She’s been seen on CNN, PBS, Lifetime, TNT, and many national and local news programs. A national spokesperson and advocate for the American Heart Association, Eliz received the Heart Hero Award in 2010.  More recently, she has partnered on the Take Cholesterol To Heart campaign. Eliz writes a Top Health and Wellness Blog and has also authored Stress-Proof Your Heart and Busy Women's Guide to a Healthy Heart.  Links Eliz's website: https://embraceyourheart.com/ Michele's website: https://causematters.com

Today on the Food Bullying podcast, Michele & Eliz talk about an interesting topic that many people have different views on, weight loss.  Lisa Baker-King shares her health and wellness journey. She has worked at the intersection of sales, marketing and operations for over 25 years. She's a self-described rule-breaker. Lisa began a fitness journey in 2015 after the publication of her children's book "The Zealous Zebecs from the Midnight Ocean's Zenith." Seeing herself living large on the national TV screen was the kick in the butt she needed to transform her life from inside out and she did. Lisa tells us all about her weight loss journey, how she experienced food bullying, and shares some pointers. Our bodies are different and you don’t have to follow a particular weight loss journey just because it works for someone else. It’s important to go with what works for you and your body. Key points: Lessons from a health & wellness journey Popular myths people that people believe in weight loss & fitness How a tribe can change as a person changes The conversation: 02:38: Lisa’s introduction 04:15: Lisa’s turning point 05:52: The health scare 08:40: The Facebook troll 13:21: Making the hard decisions 22:59: Lisa’s view on GMOs Fabulous quotes: “Don't let the stress about having the right food ruin your health.” “Don't assign an emotional value to the scale or to the food that you're eating.” “Our bodies are all different. We're not cookie cutter versions of the same exact person.” “Sometimes subtle pushback you get when you make a decision to transform. “ “Don’t go for labels, unless they are on sale.” Links to Check Out: Lisa’s email: lisa@yourghostmarketer.com Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn  

  If you’re a person who always wanted to know more about the behind-the-scenes work that happens at the farms that produce your food, this episode will open your eyes. In our conversation, we cover: What does “a sustainable farm” look like? Why Ryan decided to farm organically The potential and pitfalls of a farm going organic The “behind the scenes” work and knowledge that goes into running a farm Organic vs. Conventional vs. GMO farming and why all choices are right Food bullying in agriculture Food label fibs e.g. popcorn is not a GMO The Conversation: [3:19] What do you grow on your farm? [4:52] What is a transitional crop? [7:32] Why did you decide to go to organic? [12:32] Is organic the only way to go? [13:37] Are GMO’s wrong?  [16:25] All the technology and science that goes into running a farm [19:32] Dealing with criticism as an organic farmer [25:00] 3 quick tips for overcoming bullying Fabulous Guest Quotes “The hardest thing about organic is insurance...” “I think the industry has made a mistake in using GMOs as the “easy” button.” “Organic takes a lot of labor, a lot of work, and a lot of time...” “One thing the American farmer is really good at is taking a market…”  Links to Check Out Weeks Family Farms website Weeks Family Farm on Facebook Weeks Family Farm on Instagram Weeks Family Farm on Twitter Sustainable Seed Solutions website Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn    

  What food safety should you practice at home? In this episode of Food Bullying, we talk to a meat scientist, Jennie Hodgen. She spills the beans all about meat science and enlightens listeners about some scientific issues that people have some wrong perceptions on. Jennie is a mom, scientist, cattle raiser, and  lifelong learner. When did you last grill some meat at home? Did you use a meat thermometer to tell if it is ready? It’s key to keeping your family safe. Have you heard of the myth that says that grass-fed cattle produce better meat than corn feed cattle? There might be slight nutritional differences, but one is not better than the other. What about GMOs? How many times have you condemned GMO food? Do you have your facts right? Are you worried about the food you buy from the grocery stores? Worry no more. Food in the United States is safe. The test protocols it goes through assure you of its safety. What should be of concern to you is how you handle the food at home.  The Conversation: 00:49 What food safety do you practice at home? 05:33  Are grass fed cattle healthier than corn fed is?   10:23  Did you know that areas with cattle farming have dropped their greenhouse gas emissions by 11% since 1961? 15:19 Everything you should know about GMO food 24:35 Keep away from adjectives. They are just on the packaging. Fabulous quotes: “Don’t pay for adjectives on food packages.” “Stay away from the adjectives or at least don’t let yourself be swayed by the adjectives that are on the package.” “GMO is bred so that you can use less pesticide.” Links: Connect with Jennie Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn

  Mom and fitness instructor Ellen Frost explains how food myths make the grocery store confusing, the pressures of mom guilt & food shaming and how kids are bullied about food. Ellen joins Michele and Eliz to continue with the conversation about food bullying, bringing a “normal person” perspective about food. Ellen Frost is a stay-at-home mom of four and recently started teaching fitness classes at a small local gym. She is also an avid volunteer for school activities with her children.  Ellen questions some food myths that people dearly hold to, yet they have no facts attached to them. For instance, who says the organic cage free eggs are truly better than the Kroger brand? Key points: Common food myths Why do people buy brands? How kids are bullied about food at lunch Pressures of mom guilt and food shaming The conversation: (00:42): Ellen’s introduction (01:20): Facts on agriculture (03:31): Conflicting facts between the food truths and the myths (05:33): Are organic cage free eggs better than the Kroger brand? (08:30): Food bullying among teenagers (09:46): How people buy fancy labels thinking they are the best (10:38): Marketer’s tricks (12:32): Are whole food products better than the rest? (16:58):  Consult a registered dietitian for nutritional advice (17:30): Have you watched any documentary on food production? (22:18): Why do we love conflating opinion with fact on a regular basis and instead of questioning the source of the information? (24:26): We should always consult farmers before making conclusions on food Fabulous Quotes  “Food should be about celebration, not condemnation.” “Consult a farmer who knows how your food is produced before you just assume cage free eggs are better.” “If you actually want nutrition advice, you should talk to a registered dietitian.” “Just because it doesn't have the fancy labels and names doesn't mean that a certain food isn't good.”

  In this episode, we approach farming from a different perspective and take a look at the impact of food bullying on mental health. Lesley Kelly, a farmer and mental health advocate, shines some insight into the pressures, decisions, and the unique calling of the farming lifestyle. She also discusses the rewarding, but difficult, role mothers have in trying to choose the right food for their children  In our conversation we cover: The sad story of farmer’s mental health Why farming is more than an occupation How our words & purchases affect farmer What’s up with canola? The GMO question: from a farmer’s perspective What’s up with bleached flour Feeding our children the best we can The Conversation: [3:36] Do More Agriculture Foundation [4:05] Farmers & mental health [9:30] Farming & personal identity [11:05] What is the impact of people criticizing the farming profession? [13:24] The impact of your buying decisions on farmer [13:56] Canola [18:11] GMOs-Yay or Nay? [23:30] Bleached flour Fabulous Guest Quotes “I really don’t see borders being defined when it comes to mental health and agriculture.” "There is immense pressure to make your farm work.” “Agriculture hasn’t really been encouraged to talk about mental health.” “There’s something to be said about being a farmer. It’s such a rewarding career.”  “We can grow more crops now...more than we did 20 years or 10 years ago”   Links to Check Out Do More Agriculture Foundation website Do More Agriculture on Facebook Do More Agriculture on Twitter High Heels & Canola Fields website High Heels & Canola Fields on Facebook High Heels & Canola Fields on Twitter Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn

  Breaking out of the fear cycle in making food choices can be difficult. That’s why we turned to clinical dietitian, Danielle Penick, RDN, in this episode. Danielle has been through her own journey from an insecure food shopper that was easily bullied to becoming a comfortably cool food buyer who became a dietitian helping cancer patients. She also gives tips on how to engage in respectful food conversations, rather than food fights. In our conversation, we cover: What training does a dietitian (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) have? Is a dietitian and nutritionist the same thing? Supplements, cleanses, and detoxes: Yay or nay? The locavore dilemma Busting food myths and a framework for providing food tips The Conversation: [5:04] What does a dietitian do? [6:40] What does it take to be a dietitian? [9:20] Is a dietitian and nutritionist the same thing?  [10:31] What are your thoughts about “experts” who call them “nutritionists”? [13:17] What about cleanses and detoxes? [14:49] What foods are toxic to our health? [16:40] What personal standards do you have about food? [17:37] The “local food” dilemma [21:20] What helped you in your own personal journey with food? [29:28] Busting food myths [30:27] 3 quick tips to stop food bullying  Fabulous Guest Quotes “...we do live in one of the safest times in human history in terms of food and agriculture.”  “For some people, I know I couldn’t change their mind, but I can at least plant the seed.” “Very rarely do I see a dietetic internship having much emphasis on agriculture.” “Any dietitian call themselves a nutritionist, but the opposite is not true.”  “Most supplements that are out there are just good marketing. They’re not well regulated.” “Everything in life is toxic at the right dose.”  “...we know that eating more produce is better than not, regardless of the production method.” Links to Check Out Survivor’s Table website  Survivor’s Table on Facebook Danielle Penick on Twitter Email Danielle Build Up Dietitians on Facebook Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn  

  It’s very easy for us to ignore the fact that the brain controls a high percentage of how we view food.  Our guest today is here to help us understand the neuroscience perspective on brain and food. Dr. Tyler Davis is an associate professor of psychological sciences at Texas Tech University, where he directs the Cap Rock Lab. The Cap Rock lab is something that uses functional in neuro imaging to study cognitive neuroscience in categories, categorization, attitudes, and preference. Isn’t it amazing how our brains make decisions without asking for our permission? For instance, your brain can dislike a certain food without asking for your consent, based on things you have heard or seen. Key points: How our brain works when it comes to food Neuroscience perspective on how brain processes information related to food Brain reaction to GMOs and hormones, sustainability and antibiotics How to overcome food bullying The conversation: 02:44: Tyler Davis’ introduction 03:28: How our brain works 04:21: What part of our brain is used in processing uncertainty? 06:05: Neuro economic approach 13:30: All about GMOs and hormones 28:33: Tips to overcome food bullying Fabulous Quotes  “Make sure that you're not paying for a label unless you really want to.” “Don't think that something is risky just because you don't know enough about it or because you've heard a lot of conflicting information.” “Uncertainty feeds into our perceptions of risk and makes us see the food products potentially as riskier than they actually are.” “Prefrontal cortex is where we make a lot of our decisions.” Links to Check Out: Tyler on twitter Tyler’s email: h.davis@ttu.edu Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn

  In the ongoing debate about food, it can be easy to forget that many people are waking up (or going to bed) without a meal.  That’s the message Diane Sullivan, anti-hunger advocate has in this episode of Food Bullying podcast. She wants to help others connect the dots between their own food shopping decisions and poverty. This connection will help us become smarter consumers, and gives each of us a vote on the way to a hunger-free world. Key points: The hunger problem: how big is it in America? The SNAP program: who it helps and its critics? Diane’s personal story: why she became an anti-hunger advocate Giving a voice to the voice to the voiceless in food policy How any consumer can make a difference by shopping with their wallet The Conversation: [2:44] What is SNAP? [4:03] How does food bullying impact SNAP?  [7:00] The consequences of food bullying on the poor  [10:37] How can we improve our response to the food needs of the poor?  [13:34] Diana’s story of feeding her family  [16:44] How can we give a greater voice to SNAP recipients?  [24:26] Why shopping for label and status impact the poor   Fabulous Guest Quotes “40 million Americans are now struggling to eat.”  “We have bullying and food shaming around people who don’t shop for organic.” “Low income people are often subject to policies that we don’t necessarily have a say [in]...” “Poverty is trauma and it’s exacerbated by bad policy.” “I am one story but there are tens of millions of people out there like me.” “The more we are educated, the less we are fooled." “Hunger is not a Democrat or Republican issue. It’s not an urban or rural issue.” “It [Hunger] exists in every single county in the country.”   Links to Check Out SNAP Diane Sullivan on Twitter Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying B.S. by Michele Payn    

In this episode, Michele and Eliz talk with retail dietitian Leah McGrath about developing a healthy relationship with food, whether we are in the supermarket or posting on Instagram.  Key points: Figuring out what nutritional information you should listen to--and which information you should ignore Is the “Dirty Dozen” really as dirty as we think it is? Does organic always mean “pesticide-free”? Why you should have a personal standard when it comes to your food Why you shouldn’t focus on the front of the food package How are manufacturers trying to make food labels more reader-friendly? The Conversation: [2:44] What the heck is a retail dietitian? [5:25] What confusion do you see with people have around buying the right food? [7:00] How do you decide with all of the confusing health information out there? [9:00] The “Dirty Dozen” Food list [15:11] Food bullying and social media [19:00] Having your own personal standard with food [22:34] How should you read a food label? [27:40] 3 quick tips for a healthier relationship with food Fabulous Guest Quotes “I can see the relief across people’s face when you say ‘It’s OK to buy food based on price and how it looks..” “Consumers are just overwhelmed with the volume of information…” “People become very judgmental about what mothers are feeding their children…” “...your best bet is to ignore everything on the front of the package because it’s like make-up on a pig.” Links to Check Out Leah McGrath on Facebook Leah McGrath on Twitter Build up Dietitians on Facebook Build up Dietitians on Twitter Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS

Hunger is not limited to zip codes or seasons. Food insecurity is a challenge in nearly every country in the world. Every day a family is trying to survive little or no food. According to Food Bullying podcast guest Jennifer Erickson, hunger is not seasonal. We find that food banks receive a lot of donations during the holiday seasons, and in seasons when they need the donations most like summer, very little come in. Jennifer encourages us to try more donations in the summertime. Jennifer Erickson is a graduate of the University of Georgia in animal science and has worked in the meat and poultry, poultry industry for 16 years, specifically in food safety. For the past four years, Jennifer’s been able to use her knowledge and skills to make a difference in the state of Idaho with the Idaho food bank, where she oversees the food safety programs for all three warehouse distribution centers. She’s a long-time foodie feeding people has always been a passion for her. Key Points: The difficult social problem called hunger Food bullying at food banks What should we be donating more often, and what should we stop donating? Food safety at the Idaho food bank How can kids get the food they need? How food bullying has affected people coming into the food bank Tips on how to stretch the food dollar The Conversation:  (00:15): What does hunger look like in different parts of the world?  (02:19): Jennifer’s introduction  (03:10): What does food bullying look like at the food banks?  (03:50): Does food bullying prevent people from asking for help?  (06:25): What should we donate more? What do food banks need?  (08:13): Food safety at food banks  (10:05): Product dating  (12:26): When should we make donations?  (18:31): Feeding kids  (19:51): How food bullying has negatively affected people coming into the food banks  (23:05): Stretching the dollar  (23:28): Tips on how to overcome food bullying Fabulous Quotes: “Focus on feeding your family the right way for you and do not listen to all of the pressures of what people are saying about food.” “I always buy what I can afford, buy the best that I can afford, and taking into consideration how I’m stretching that dollar that I’m spending and then everything in moderation.” “Hunger is not seasonal.” “Product dating is not and has never been intended as an implication for food safety.” “Food banks nationwide can always use protein items.” “We don’t need to pressure anyone with that kind of messaging behind the food that is in its basic form a healthy and wholesome product.” “Marketing labels can create a lot of doubt.”  Links: Feeding America Jennifer’s Email: JErickson@idahofoodbank.org Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn Embrace your Heart with Eliz Greene

There’s a lot of pressure on farmers to do the best that they can to not only protect our environment, but also have a sustainable business. Most of the time, we are not giving farmers space to thrive, but often dictating what they should and shouldn’t do. Theresia Gillie is a soybean and wheat farmer from Minnesota, a county commissioner, and serves on the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association board and is a past president. She helps listeners understand what it is like to be a farmer, and how food bullying hurts the families growing our food. Key Points: What’s it’s like to be a farmer Challenges that farmers face Tips on how to overcome food bullying The Conversation: (04:12): What is harvesting like for a farmer?  (06:11): The most significant stress faced by farmers  (11:46): How are farmers taking care of the environment?  (14:46): How do farmers select the seed to use?  (17:23): How do farmers feel when we believe and feel like they are not doing the right thing?  (23:35): Tips on how to avoid food bullying Fabulous Quotes: “Be grateful that the food in the grocery store doesn’t cost you half of your living.” “What you’re getting in your grocery store is safe.” “Trust your growers because we’re really good at what we do.” “Variety is really the best and safest way to have to healthy eating.” Links: Theresia’s Facebook Theresia on Twitter Embrace your Heart with Eliz Greene Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn

  What should athletes eat to optimize every aspect of their health? How can nutrition give you a competitive advantage? Why do we attach an emotional value to food? How can you eat more produce? The first guest of season 2 of the Food Bullying podcast can help. Leslie Bonci is a registered dietitian and a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics. She is the nutrition consultant for the Kansas City Chiefs, Carnegie Mellon University athletics, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre – and helps power a wide variety of athletes with smart nutrition.  Listen in, and learn how Leslie’s food insight can help you make smart eating choices.  Key Points: Who is a sports dietitian? How do we find common ground when it comes to food? Dealing with the boredom factor Is canned or frozen food good? Why do we attach emotional values to food? Plant-based diet for athletes Food waste Common food labels Tips to overcoming food bullying The Conversation:  (01:55): Leslie’s introduction  (02:51): Who is a sports dietitian?  (05:55): Finding common ground with food  (07:32): Preventing boredom factor  (10:11): Canned and frozen food  (11:41): Why do we attach emotional value to food?  (15:51): Food wastage  (19:36): How long should we keep food in the freezer?  (20:51): Common food labels  (25:40): Tips to overcoming food bullying  Fabulous Quotes: “Take the fright out of your bite.” “All of us can manufacture enough guilt in the course of any given day. It certainly doesn’t have to be derived from the foods that we’re eating.” “Take advantage of the freezer. That why it’s there.” “It is time for all of us to get back to the idea of nourish, not torture.” “As long as you’re eating the produce, that’s what matters at the end of the day.” “People always say they want variety, but the reality is that most people have a fairly narrow circle of their go-to foods.” Links: USDA Leslie’s website Leslie’ LinkedIn Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn Embrace your Heart with Eliz Greene

One is chirpy in the morning, the other not. One is disgusted by mechanically separated chicken, the other thinks it's smart. Both Michele Payn & Eliz Greene are tired of the stress and lack of compromise around food. In this behind-the-scenes conversation with the co-hosts of the Food Bullying Podcast, these two authors provide some insight on the relationship that has included hundreds of conversations about nutrition, health, and farming. They've created a few books in the process, but still happily argue about eating choices. In this birthday episode for Michele, Eliz gifts her ideas to reduce stress. As an expert in the health arena, Eliz has a lot of research to show WHY we're stressed - and offers practical tips for everyone to reduce their cortisol to get stress under control for better health. There may or may not be smack talk about their two Big 10 teams, too.  Michele & Eliz close this candid Food Bullying podcast by reminding everyone that birthdays should be considered a victory, worthy of celebration. The same goes with life and food - let's celebrate it!

Did you know the way you shop can help reduce hunger in our country? In this episode of the Food Bullying Podcast, Diane Sullivan explains the relationship between shopping and hunger-reduction. Diane is a mother and a grandmother with lived experience and hunger and is currently a SNAP recipient. She is an anti-hunger advocate focused on food affordability working to ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable, nutritious food or regardless of income. According to this Food Bullying Podcast guest, this time of the year helps us reflect and be grateful for all the blessings we have and those who do not have access to these things like food. Fear-mongering is one of the reasons why our food costs have gone up. Misleading food labels have swayed the market and have driven up food prices. Diane thinks it’s time we start shopping from our wallets and ignore the misleading labels. Key Points: Food traditions around Thanksgiving How we can reduce hunger Food bullying and how we can fight it What does hunger look like in our country?  The Conversation:  (01:31): Food traditions around thanksgiving  (05:54): How can we reduce hunger in our country?  (12:44): Advice to people living with food insecurity  (13:28): The dirty dozen list (18:01): Has bullying changed the social justice of food?  (23:52): Tips to avoid food bullying Fabulous Quotes from the Episode: “Shop with your wallet and spread the word on why you’re doing that” “The best of intended policies often have unintended consequences, and those are most often born by those of us with lived experience in, in poverty, hunger, homelessness.”  “Conventional is just as nutritious as organic.” “We are trained to think that if something is going to cost us more, there must be more value in it.”   Links: Diane’s Twitter Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn Embrace your Heart: Eliz Greene

Our brain has a lot of processes that help us to make decisions and evaluate pieces of evidence for those decisions. Part of our brain is  very attuned to just accumulating evidence for the value of something. It integrates all of the different pieces of evidence that we might experience about a particular choice and put it together in terms of terms of overall value, how much we might like it, or want to approach that thing. “Food marketers are well aware of the kind of differences amongst these technologies in terms of which ones we like and which ones we don't like.” Dr. Tyler Davis, a neuroscience researcher at Texas Tech, helps us understand of the high-risk food technologies that he has researched and shares tips on how we can overcome food bullying by understanding more about the brain.  Key Points: Ways food marketers leverage our brain to make emotional purchases High-risk technologies and the differences between them How to overcome food bullying  The Conversation:  (03:59): Recap of the first season episode with Tyler Davis  (06:39): What does our brain do with conflicting information?  (07:53): High-risk technologies and the differences between them  (09:20): Is animal welfare is a lower risk technology?  (13:30): How our brains are being manipulated through food marketing (18:59): How food bullying has led to stigma  Fabulous Quotes: “Food marketers are well aware of the kind of differences amongst these technologies in terms of which ones we like and which ones we don't like.” “We assign social value to some of these constructs like GMO, hormones, and antibiotics.” “We need to replace information or relearn something new is absolutely right, according to what we know about the neuroscience of learning.” Links to Check Out:  Tyler’s twitter Tyler’s email: tyler.h.davis@ttu.edu Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying B.S. by Michele Payn Embrace your Heart with Eliz Greene  

Are you a cherry lover? This is an episode that you cannot afford to miss. Our guest today is a cherry farmer in Leelanau County, Michigan. His family also owns and operates Leelanau Fruit Company, a small cherry processor  specializing in Maraschino cherries, ice cream, cherries, and glossy fruit mixes used in holiday fruitcakes.  In today’s episode, Ben LaCross takes us through the process of growing, harvesting, and processing cherries. He tells us about the challenges cherry farmers face in their product. Ben also shares how his daughter was food bullied by a teacher in school.  Key Points: How are farmers bullied? Food bullying that Ben has seen as a dad How to know which cherries are produced in the U.S. Why are cherries not grown organically in Michigan?  The Conversation:  (02:39): Ben’s introduction  (04:40): Cherries’ 101 lesson  (10:01): Food bullying that Ben has seen with his children  (19:38): Food bullying from the producer’s side of view  (23:41): How can you identify what cherries are produced in the US?  (26:04): Find out why cherries are not organically grown in Michigan  (30:33): Tips to overcoming food bullying Fabulous Quotes: “Be confident in what you buy, and don’t let other people’s opinions about your food affect how you think about your food.” “Try to buy U.S. products as much as you can.” “Food isn’t a status symbol.” “There’s room for a lot of different products in our in our diets.” “When we create anxiety around food because of different arbitrary rules that are put in place by people, especially with younger kids, it makes kids scared about what they eat.” “I do want to raise consumers who trust the food system.” “We don’t want our kids to be raised with anxiety about food.” Links: Ben’s Twitter   Ben’s website Ben’s Facebook Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn Embrace your Heart with Eliz Greene

“Food is such an integral part of our social fabric. It becomes a part of the storytelling process," but our farming memory is being lost across generations, says Dr. Cami Ryan, a Canadian social scientist on the latest Food Bullying podcast. This loss of farming memory has created gaps and barriers between rural and urban. Opportunists fill in the gaps with new information, which isn’t always accurate.   Cami explains how food can be taken on as identity, leaving a person susceptible to bullying. She offers insight on information literacy as a way to keep the trash out your brain and social feeds. “Be careful what you feed your brain and share with other people.” She cautions against littering Facebook or Twitter with bad information. Key Points What is a social scientist? How do people see food production and where do all the players connect together? How do farmers interact with non-farmers and deal with social constructs? The importance of translating the science of agriculture Cognitive responses to fear and disgust and what it means to food Understanding how food can be taken on as identity and leave you susceptible to bullying Do people trust science today? Focus on information literacy to keep trash out of your brain How to read vet new studies and read information Call people out who litter on Facebook, the same as you would if they put trash on the road Identifying good and bad information; avoid Twitter litter and Facebook trash Biases and how we all have them Quick tips to overcome food bullying: don’t take it personally, leverage your network to ask for help, give yourself permission to walk away from a non-productive conversation. Fabulous Quotes “The onus is on farmers and scientists to engage and provide accurate information” “Disgust is really interesting. Humans respond viscerally.” “The more you are exposed to something, the less you fear it.” “Food is such an integral part of our social fabric. It becomes a part of the storytelling process.” “When you take something on as your identity, such as food or social media, it becomes very personal.” “We, as individuals, have to take responsibility for our brains.” “Be careful what you feed your brain and share with other people.” “We have a responsibility to clean up our Facebook feeds and Twitter litter.” It’s not about whether we have biases or not, it’s our willingness to push back against our biases.” Links @CamiDRyan on Twitter www.camiryan.com Cami Ryan, PhD FB page Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying BS by Michele Payn Embrace your Heart with Eliz Greene

Why is it so easy  to call farmers names despite the great efforts they put in place to ensure we have food? “It hurts so much when someone says that I am an animal abuser because sometimes I work day and night take care of my animals.” German dairy farmer Agnes Greggersen, from the northern part of Germany is the latest guest on the Food Bullying podcast. Unfortunately, Agnes was cyber bullied by animal rights activists for posting a video of a child drinking a glass of milk. Her experience was horrible, but she chose not to give up on being an agriculture advocate and turned the experience into a lesson, now helping other farmers understand why they need to engage in social media. Key Points Cyber bullying's impact on farmers Large scale food bullying How to rise above cyber bullying Tips on how to overcome food bullying The Conversation  (00:38): Agriculture advocacy  (03:18): How Agnes got cyber bullied  (09:34): How farmers can deal with cyber attacks  (13:52): Rising above cyber bullying  (19:20): Tips on how to overcome food bullying Fabulous Quotes “Consumers shouldn’t be afraid to ask the farmer questions.” “Inform yourself when you hear stories of food bullying, then maybe look for a way of getting information maybe directly from a farmer.” “In order to care for animals as a farmer, it has to be a passion.” “It hurts so much when someone says that I am an animal abuser because sometimes I work day and night take care of my animals.” “I do my very best to take care of the animals not because it is a job, but it is a passion for me.” “At the end of the day, we are responsible for telling our story and to every person out there who’s tired of having the wrong story told about how food is grown.” “I always encourage people to know what their purpose is and social media.” “If you’re not telling your story, somebody else will.”  Links:  Agnes on Facebook   Ferienhof Greggersen Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying B.S. by Michele Payn Embrace your Heart with Eliz Greene

How do you have a meaningful conversation with others in today’s overly emotional food arena? In this podcast episode, dietitian Leia Flure explains the steps to maintaining respectful discussion and making personal choices about what you eat. She suggests more critical thinking is needed in food-based decisions by being analytical about your choices and verifying information. “What is the motivation behind what I am sharing and what information I am opening myself up to?” A mom to young children and a millennial, Leia shares her personal experiences with other people as she conveys the message to stay open-minded with what you are believing. She suggests you step outside your comfort zone, listen to the other side, know your own standards, and enjoy food! Key Points What do you do when people disagree with you? Providing unbiased information and having difficult conversations Respectfully countering inaccurate information What are we supposed to believe when it comes to food safety; how do we perceive information from a variety of sources? Self-preservation and the difficulty of admitting when you are wrong. The hypocrisy when it comes to taking risks with food How to overcome bias and admit you are wrong Stepping outside of your comfort zone Risk bias and how the dirty dozen list drives people to avoid produce. Fabulous Quotes “It’s just so difficult to have a productive conversation when both sides are not willing to see the other person’s point of view.” “Sometimes it’s worth staying in the conversation and finding a way to have that conversation that is not questioning a person’s integrity because something different than what you believe, but also knowing when it is okay to just step away.” “It’s okay to have questions. I think the issue is really seeking out information from reliable sources and not necessarily relying on Dr. Google.” “The way that we evaluate risk is kind of skewed, and flawed.” “Do you think our psychology around food is skewed not just because sometimes we can be hypocritical in our choices but because what we want to believe isn't always true?” “What is the motivation behind even what I am sharing and what information I’m opening myself up to?” “We like things that are easy.” “We just don’t like to think about risk and we want to believe that we infallible, but truly we take risks every single by just going outside, and it is very uncomfortable to think about.” “If I can do this one little thing, I can buy the organic strawberries instead of the regular ones in the grocery store, then I feel better about my choices, but it doesn’t mean that is actually doing anything for me.” “Of course, as a dietitian, I’d rather people eat more fruits and vegetables instead of be afraid of them and decrease their intake.” Links Leia's blog: moderationmaven.com fruitsandveggies.com  Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene Food Bullying with Michele Payn