265. A new scale ranks foods in terms of health quality
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A new food study and rating scale is receiving a lot of attention for suggesting that ice cream with nuts or chocolate and potato chips might actually be healthier than a multigrain bagel with raisins. In the study, researchers at Tufts University developed a “food compass,” rating foods on a scale of 1 to 100. Foods scored with a one are the least healthful and 100 are the healthiest based on criteria like ingredients, additives, and the extent of processing. While some foods we might think of as unhealthy actually scored better than others we often think of as healthy, it doesn’t necessarily mean we should start eating large amounts of them, especially ultra-processed foods. There is no “one size fits all” diet that is best for everyone. And when it comes to choosing foods, a healthy, balanced diet usually involves eating many different types of foods.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
