The childhood health crisis is reaching a breaking point, and the most powerful lever to fix it isn't in the doctor's office—it’s in the school cafeteria. Join Dr. Mark Hyman and Eat Real CEO Nora LaTorre as they reveal how transforming school food policy can instantly improve cognitive function and long-term metabolic health for 30 million American children. For the first time in history, the average child is predicted to live a shorter life than their parents due to the prevalence of ultra-processed food in schools. Because public schools are effectively the largest restaurant chain in America, serving over 7 billion meals annually, the nutritional quality of these menus is a national security issue. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how "Big Food" has co-opted the school cafeteria and what a small group of committed parents and leaders are doing to take it back. You’ll learn why school food is the "missing piece" to solving behavioral issues like ADD and why removing just 34 pounds of added sugar per student can lead to massive gains in academic performance. We explore the "Eat Real" model, which proves that serving delicious, locally-sourced, real food is not only possible within current budgets but actually creates a more sustainable business model for schools. Whether you are a parent, educator, or health advocate, this conversation provides a scalable blueprint to reverse type 2 diabetes in kids and regenerate our local food systems. #ChildrensHealth #SchoolFood #DrMarkHyman #EatReal #FoodPolicy Eat Real: https://eatreal.org/parents Food Fix Uncensored: https://foodfixuncensored.com ⁠View Show Notes From This Episode⁠ https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/podcast-ep1115 ⁠Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman⁠ ⁠https://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast⁠ ⁠Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal⁠ ⁠https://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast⁠ ⁠Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Health⁠ ⁠https://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox⁠ ⁠Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Results⁠ ⁠https://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive⁠ This episode is brought to you by Pique, Korrus, Qualia, BON CHARGE, BIOptimizers and Maui Nui. Secure 20% off your order plus a free starter kit at ⁠piquelife.com/hyman⁠.   Upgrade your lighting. Enjoy 15% off at ⁠korrus.com/drhyman⁠. Go to ⁠qualialife.com/hyman⁠ and use code HYMAN at checkout for an extra 15% off. Upgrade your routine. Head to ⁠boncharge.com/hyman⁠ and use code DRMARK for 15% off. Head to ⁠bioptimizers.com/hyman⁠ and use promo code HYMAN at checkout to save 15%. Learn more about the health benefits of venison and how to get yours, head over to ⁠mauinuivenison.com/hyman⁠. (0:00) Introduction to the alarming health crisis among children (2:13) Chronic disease and systemic issues in food and health (6:27) The role of schools in nutrition and the impact of ultra-processed foods (10:28) Connection between nutrition, obesity, prediabetes, and academic performance (15:50) Influence of food industry and potential of School Nutrition Association (20:16) Eat Real's approach to transforming school food systems (23:14) Addressing myths and sharing success stories of healthy eating in schools (27:44) Budgetary and health impacts of real food in school programs (30:30) Emphasizing the importance of breakfast and reducing sugar intake (35:14) Strategies for expanding Eat Real's impact and community involvement (39:48) Teachers and affordable healthy eating on a budget (43:49) Sponsor: Introduction to Foodfix uncensored (45:14) Policy initiatives and overcoming industry challenges in school nutrition (57:01) Grassroots movements and policy change for healthier school food (58:00) Debunking nutrition myths and levers for fixing the food system (1:01:45) The economic benefits of investing in school food programs (1:02:59) Underrated family habits for health and policy improvements for kids (1:05:29) The long-term impact of real food on children's futures (1:06:11) Sources of hope and the broader implications of fixing the food system (1:09:00) Calls to action and getting involved with Eat Real (1:09:54) Closing thoughts on the significance of the current moment in food policy