#232 - How do you afford nutritious food when you live in a food desert and why investing in nutrition is an investment in yourself | Shawn Stevenson & Dr. Casey Means

Sep 28, 2023

Guest

Shawn Stevenson

Guest

Casey Means

Shawn Stevenson, author of the Eat Smarter Family Cookbook, discusses his journey from limited access to whole foods to transforming his eating habits. Dr. Casey Means explores the impact of environment and culture on food choices. They discuss the effects of ultra-processed foods, controlling controllables, and the power of dominant questions. They also emphasize the importance of family meals and shifting focus towards personal and community change.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

From Unhealthy Habits to Health Leader

03:13 • 10min

Tracking Blood Sugar and Optimal Health

13:37 • 3min

Understanding the Impact of Misdiagnosis and Traditional Medical Treatment

16:57 • 4min

The Power of Dominant Questions

21:20 • 16min

The Importance of Eating Together as a Family

37:43 • 25min

Shifting Focus Towards Personal and Community Change

01:02:34 • 24min

Our environment and culture directly affect the food choices we make. Ultra-processed foods are convenient and cheap, and they’re the main source of foods in food deserts, typically located in underserved communities. Yet ultra-processed foods lead to worsening metabolic health. How do you afford and access nutritious food? Shawn Stevenson and Dr. Casey means discuss how Stevenson, author of “Eat Smarter Family Cookbook” grew up without easy access to whole foods, how he transformed how he eats despite his environment, and how those changes led to a reversal of poor health and chronic pain to an improved quality of life and even earning potential.

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Shawn Stevenson & Casey Means, MD, discuss:

(10:00) — Ultra-processed foods are convenient and cheap

(20:03) — Stevenson describes the moment when he changed his mindset

(27:20) — The foods we put into our bodies affect us at the cellular level

(32:17) — Focus on controlling the “controllables.”

(35:30) — The family that eats together boosts their health together

(41:23) — Schedule social meals

(44:19) — The most common factor across Blue Zones is strong social bonds

(49:19) — Cooking is an essential skill for health

(1:03:16) — Investing in better health generates improved energy capacity

(1:08:58) — Stevenson shares his tips for affording nutritious foods

Transcripts & Show notes

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rKptwQrvzuk?si=P9gfeK952dWjMrYA

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