The Big Ugly Bill and the Bigger Nutrition Crisis
Because food access is a health equity issue, and we can’t afford to ignore it.
Like many people, I knew the One Big Beautiful (Ugly) Bill Act would pass, and like many, I am greatly concerned about its impact on millions of Americans. Significant cuts to healthcare programs like Medicaid, nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other federally funded programs could result in an additional 11.8 million people becoming uninsured by 2034 and losing access to programs that support their basic needs.
Further, I cannot ignore the potential negative impacts that cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will have on the nutrition of low-income individuals and families.
Firstly, Medicaid provides access to nutritional support programs, such as nutrition counseling and diabetes management, which will likely be cut due to funding cuts.
Secondly, SNAP enables individuals and families to afford a nutritious diet, which might become inaccessible due to funding cuts and changes in eligibility requirements.
Thirdly, these massive cuts could lead people to forgo necessary medication they can no longer afford or schools to eliminate free/reduced-priced lunch programs due to a loss of federal funding.
Having grown up in a household where my grandmother was on Medicare, my grandfather was on Medicaid, and I qualified for reduced-price lunch due to my mom’s income, I know firsthand how “ugly” this bill is for low-income individuals and families. Those programs helped my family pull itself out of a difficult situation and created a future where I now have opportunities that weren’t available to them.
So, the narrative that people are ‘abusing the system’ ignores the many success stories these federally funded programs have helped create, like mine.
Two decades later, I know firsthand that adequate nutrition significantly impacted my childhood development and career growth. Research has shown that when children do not receive sufficient food, they are more likely to have impaired cognitive skills. Even as adults, we all know that when we’re properly fueling our bodies, we have the energy to focus on our work tasks. Therefore, obtaining the food necessary for our health and career growth isn’t a nice to have but a non-negotiable for supporting our overall well-being.
When I heard that access to nutritious food is one area expected to be significantly impacted by the Big Ugly Bill, I knew that awareness wasn’t enough. Knowing problems exist isn’t the same thing as actually doing something to address them.
Let us not forget the COVID-19 pandemic, which made that reality abundantly clear.
Before the data even showed the extent to which COVID-19 was impacting Black and Brown communities, my mentor, Sheena Collier, was organizing a solution to support those most in need. When she launched her Quarantining While Black series and invited me to join a panel on Eating Healthy on a Budget and Growing Your Own Food, the answer was yes. I knew from my previous work at Partners In Health that COVID-19 was heavily hitting Black communities in Boston. While it was easy to dismiss the importance of nutrition at the time, we now know that consuming essential nutrients is key for supporting a strong immune system.
Even though it’s been five years since we held that panel discussion, my recommendations about supporting your nutrition on a budget are still applicable today:
Don’t dismiss the importance of meal planning, not just meal prepping. We don’t necessarily cook everything that we eat. It’s more difficult to be budget-conscious when we're not planning ahead. For instance, that breakfast sandwich and coffee we grab on our way to work or the salad bar at our work cafeteria can add up after a while. When we plan, we can bring our food and ensure that we’re making more nutrient-dense choices. Let’s be honest: the shortest line often wins when we’re in a rush. Even when we need to grab something on the go, when we’ve already planned for it in our weekly budget, we can be less judgmental about that $15 Sweetgreen salad. I cringe to admit that out loud, but the Harvest Bowl hits the spot sometimes.
Stock up on nonperishable items when you can. From grains to beans, when you’re looking to stock your pantry, it’s helpful to consider what items have a long shelf life. I’m not saying you need to stock up like you’re preparing for end times, but the price of groceries has increased. So, when you see a sale, there is no shame in stocking your pantry. For example, if there is a sale on items you and your family often use, buying a few items in bulk makes sense to save money. Then, as you plan your meals (as I shared in the first point), you already have the needed ingredients in stock. If you’re like me and don’t like trying to decide what’s for dinner, searching Pinterest with a particular ingredient in mind can speed up figuring out what to eat. Along with groceries, these DoorDash prices are increasing, too, so eating in is becoming common in the Campbell household.
Remember that frozen and canned produce are just as nutritious. Despite what some wellness influencers will try to have you believe, buying frozen and canned produce is a great alternative when fresh produce is inaccessible. For example, as fruits and vegetables are typically frozen shortly after harvesting, they retain the nutrients compared to fresh produce, which is often picked before it’s ripe. When considering canned foods, look for low-sodium, no salt-added, and canned in water on the food label. If I’m not stating the obvious, with frozen and canned produce, you’re benefiting from a lower cost and nutrient retention.
While this is far from an exhaustive list, it’s one way to support ourselves and our clients’ nutrition.
Whether it’s meal planning, stocking up on nonperishables, or filling your freezer with frozen foods, I hope that these tips provide you with a (temporary) solution as we navigate what the passing of the Big Ugly Bill will bring.
Feel free to drop a heart, comment, or change in my virtual tip jar!