Jaelin: Keep our kids healthy — trust the science

As a registered dietitian I ve dedicated my career to helping families live healthier lives through better nutrition That is why I am encouraged to see the Make America Healthy Again Commission which will focus on reversing childhood chronic condition Improving children s soundness means looking at the whole picture We need to address the fundamental drivers of childhood well-being access to nutritious food regular physical activity safe environments and adequate sleep They are foundational factors that are well-established in science They re common sense As a dietitian nutrition is my priority It s not about what s in our food but whether families can access healthy choices in the first place Specific of the early MAHA conversations around pesticide residue concerned me not because we shouldn t ask questions but because they implied our produce is unsafe This does not reflect reality The opposite is often true Modern agriculture including the responsible use of pesticides helps make healthy food more affordable and available Without it we liability higher grocery prices increased food insecurity and worse wellbeing outcomes for kids Of unit we should monitor and regulate pesticide use We already do rigorously The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration enforce strict safety standards based on the latest science When used according to the label pesticide residues in food are well below thresholds that could pose a menace to human strength If we ignore that science and promote fear the consequences are real Families may shy away from fresh produce Food costs could rise Misinformation spreads speedily and children will pay the price A healthier country is one where every family can afford fruits vegetables whole grains lean protein and healthy fats We can t achieve that goal if we allow misinformation to distort masses understanding of how food is grown and produced I urge the MAHA Commission to adopt a balanced evidence-based approach Engage with registered dietitians crop scientists farmers and community strength professionals within and outside executive We all want healthier children That goal is too pivotal to danger getting the science wrong We can t make America healthy again unless the policies we promote help the families we serve If the MAHA Commission takes this approach I am confident we can address wellness challenges and increase positive strength outcomes for American children Michelle Jaelin is a Canadian registered dietitian and nutrition communications expert