Wealthy Corporations Are Paying Their CEOs More Than They Pay in Taxes
Tesla, Ford, Netflix and T-Mobile are among scores of profitable U.S. firms that pay their top executives more than they pay in federal taxes. It’s a system that rewards the super rich and punishes the rest of us.
Sarah Anderson, William Rice and Zachary Tashman – March 26, 2024
Elon Musk is very happy about the current tax structure—it’s making him incredibly rich.(GETTY IMAGES)
In his State of the Union address, President Biden called out “massive executive pay” and vowed to “make big corporations and the very wealthy finally pay their share” of taxes.
Corporate tax dodging and CEO pay have gotten so out of control that many major U.S. companies are paying their top executives more than they’re paying the American government.
Tesla is perhaps the most dramatic example. Over the period from 2018 to 2022, the electric car maker raked in $4.4 billion in profits but paid no federal income taxes. Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, already among the incredibly wealthy, saw his fortune skyrocket and became one of the world’s richest men with an estimated net worth of more than $190 billion.
When it comes to fleecing taxpayers while overpaying executives, Tesla is hardly alone. A new report we co-authored for the Institute for Policy Studies and Americans for Tax Fairness analyzes executive pay data for some of the country’s most notorious corporate tax dodgers.
What did we find? In addition to Tesla, 34 other large and profitable U.S. firms — including household names like Ford, Netflix and T-Mobile — paid less in federal income taxes between 2018 and 2022 than they paid their top five executives.
Another 29 profitable corporations paid their top executives more than they paid in taxes in at least two of the five years of the study period.
One company on our list stands out for the infamous role its executives played in the 2008 financial crisis: American International Group (AIG). Back then, the insurance giant ignited a firestorm by pocketing a more than $180 billion taxpayer bailout and then announcing plans to hand out $165 million in bonuses to the very same executives responsible for pushing the company — and the nation — to the brink of collapse.
Today, AIG is playing the same greedy game of overpaying its top brass and sticking taxpayers with the bill. Between 2018 and 2022, the company paid its top five executives more than it paid in federal income taxes, despite collecting $17.7 billion in profits. In 2022, CEO Peter Zaffino alone made more than $75 million.
Lavish executive compensation packages and skimpy corporate tax payments are not unrelated. Executives have a huge personal incentive to hire armies of lobbyists to push for corporate tax cuts because the windfalls from these cuts often wind up in their own pockets.
The 2017 Republican tax law slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and failed to close loopholes that whittle down IRS bills even further. As a result, many large, profitable corporations ended up paying no federal taxes at all.
Over the following year, corporations took the savings from those tax cuts and spent a record-breaking $1 trillion on stock buybacks, a financial maneuver that artificially inflates the value of executives’ stock-based pay.
Wealthy executives became even wealthier while the nation lost billions of dollars in corporate revenue that could have been used to lower costs and improve services for ordinary people (not to mention healthcare, housing and other vital areas). Until this self-reinforcing cycle is broken, we’ll have a corporate tax and compensation system that works for top executives — and no one else.
What can we do to break this cycle?
Congress can tackle the entwined problems of inadequate corporate tax payments and excess executive pay on several fronts. Raising the corporate tax rate to 28% (just halfway back to Obama-era levels) would generate $1.3 trillion in new revenue over the next decade.
Congress can also close loopholes and eliminate wasteful tax breaks, for instance by removing the incentives for American firms to shift profits and production offshore. Both of these proposals have been pushed by the White House.
Policymakers also have a wealth of tools to curb excessive executive pay, from tax and contracting reforms to stronger regulations to rein in stock buybacks and banker bonuses.
Under our current system corporations are rewarding a handful of top executives more than they are contributing to the cost of public services needed for our economy to thrive. That needs to change, now.
This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.
SARAH ANDERSON directs the Global Economy Project and co-edits Inequality.org at the Institute for Policy Studies.
WILLIAM RICE is a senior writer at Americans for Tax Fairness.
ZACHARY TASHMAN is a Senior Research and Policy Associate at Americans for Tax Fairness.
I Was Diagnosed With Colon Cancer at 32. Here Are the First Symptoms I Had
Julia Ries – January 18, 2024
Raquel A./powerofforever/Getty Images
Raquel A., 33, never guessed she hadcancer, even though she had symptoms that worried her. A few years ago, her bowel movements became increasingly frequent and abnormal, which she figured was due to undiagnosedirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)or afood intolerance. She didn’t have health insurance, so she put off going to the doctor and tried to ease her discomfort withfiber supplementsand dietary changes. After getting a job that offered medical coverage, she saw a primary care physician, who told her she likely just hadanxiety. Her symptoms worsened, and in 2023, she was diagnosed with stage fourcolon cancer. Raquel has been sharing her experience with the condition—as well as what she wants others to know about seeking help as early as possible—onTikTok. Here’s her story, as told to health writer Julia Ries.
I first started having noticeable gastrointestinal issues in 2019, right before the pandemic. I was living with a roommate, and one day we started talking about how I was going to the bathroom all the time. I could go number two 8 to 10 times a day and never feel like I had a complete bowel movement. I told my roommate I suspected I wasn’t getting enough fiber, or perhaps I simply wasn’t eating “healthy enough.” Maybe I had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or a gluten or dairy sensitivity. It never occurred to me that I might have cancer.
I didn’t have health insurance. As a result, going to the doctor—unless I had an absolute emergency—wasn’t something I did in my 20s. Instead of checking in with a primary care doctor, I started intermittently taking Metamucil, a fiber supplement, to help regulate my bowel movements and treat random bouts of diarrhea. This helped, at least for a little while.
In 2021, I moved to the greater Seattle area, where I landed a job in the tech industry and, with it, good health insurance. My symptoms remained quiet until they came back in 2022. I was going to the bathroom a lot again, and my bowel movements became uncomfortable. My stools were pencil-thin, sometimes orangish-red in color, and occasionally there’d be a little blood. I got abnormally full after eating. I was bloated, no matter what I ate—I tried being dairy-free, then gluten-free. Looking back, these were major warning signs that something was wrong, and I wouldn’t find out until later that they were classic signs of colorectal cancer.
I scheduled a physical—my first in over a decade—in May of 2023. I told my doctor about the digestive issues I’d been experiencing since 2019: the frequent—and sometimes painful—bowel movements, the bloody stools, the early satiety. I shared that it felt like my symptoms were getting worse, and she said I likely had anxiety—and maybe gas—and scheduled a psychiatric appointment for me.
I believed her. I thought, “Maybe she’s right: I’m worrying too much about these symptoms and should just let it go.” In retrospect, she was incredibly dismissive, which I think was a result of my being so young at the time—I was 32, a woman, and a minority. Statistically speaking, people who fall into any of those categories, let alone all three of them, tend to have their health issues dismissed by doctors.
Three weeks after that exam, I developed severe abdominal pain. It wasn’t just localized to my lower stomach or my side—the pain radiated throughout my entire abdomen and toward my lower back. It was unbearable. I nearly fainted in my apartment. I’m not somebody who’s quick to take medication or go to the doctor, but I knew something was wrong, so I went to the emergency room. Again, I doubted myself and thought that perhaps I was making a big deal out of nothing. Fortunately, my ER physician took my pain seriously—she ordered a CT scan, scheduled an abdominal ultrasound, and ran a full panel of blood work. When the results came in, she sat down and told me they found cancer on my ovaries and liver. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
I met with an oncologist and had a liver biopsy. That’s when they discovered that the cancer, adenocarcinoma, had originated in my colon and metastasized, or spread, to other organs. I was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy so the doctors could get a better look—my colorectal cancer was so large and so advanced that they had trouble getting the scope through my colon.
I learned that colorectal cancer is very slow-growing. I could have had cancer for 8 to 10 years, potentially all of my 20s, without knowing it. With colon cancer, you usually don’t start having noticeable (or even severe) symptoms until it’s progressed to stage three or four. Plus, the symptoms, like nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or difficulty going to the bathroom, can be due to so many other conditions—some serious, like ovarian cancer, but others more benign, such as IBS.
After my diagnosis, I started chemotherapy. The cancer had caused a buildup of fluids in my stomach, the source of the bloating, that I had to have drained. I met with a GI specialist who advised me to tweak my diet—for example, I had to limit how much meat I was eating, cut out raw fruits and vegetables, and stick to soft foods, like pudding and mashed potatoes—which immediately improved my bowel movements. I’ve done various blood tests that assess how my cancer is progressing—including a CEA (a marker for colorectal cancer), CA125 (a marker for ovarian cancer), and CA19 (another cancer marker) tests—and have undergone genetic testing to better understand how my genes may have contributed to the cancer.
I continue to get chemotherapy biweekly, though I’ve switched to another chemotherapy drug because I experienced unpleasant side effects with the first type, and the cancer on my liver and lungs wasn’t responding to that treatment. My doctors informed me that eventually the chemo will stop working because my condition is terminal. I don’t qualify for surgery, since my cancer has spread so deeply, but I’m continuing to look into surgical options along with new treatments and clinical trials I can participate in. My chances of reaching survival two years after the diagnosis was 20%. At five years, that drops to 5%, but I’m determined to beat the odds.
Throughout this entire experience, I’ve learned how to advocate for myself. After I received my diagnosis, doctors took my condition very seriously and quickly scheduled multiple procedures and appointments for me—but that wasn’t always the case. I’d been dismissed for years, and even after I started chemotherapy, I felt as though my doctor wasn’t listening to my concerns, so I found a new oncologist who has been very responsive and attentive. I’ve learned how important it is to get a second opinion—all you need is that one doctor who is going to listen and fight for you. You might not find that person right away, but keep pressing: Getting screened could be a matter of life or death.
If I hadn’t followed my intuition—if I skipped going to the ER that day in 2023, or stuck with doctors who said nothing was wrong—there’s a chance I wouldn’t be alive. It’s so easy to doubt yourself, especially if medical professionals are downplaying your symptoms, but if you feel like something is wrong, go with your gut. It’s usually right.
Costco rotisserie chickens being prepared – Bloomberg/Getty Images
Costco boasts nearly 130 million members worldwide. The vast majority of these are found in the United States, but regardless of whether they’re shopping in the U.S. or abroad, customers turn to Costco for the same reason: the store’s shockingly low prices.
Bargains form the basis of Costco’s brand, and discounted products can be found everywhere in the store. Furthermore, some of the store’s most iconic products — such as the $4.99 rotisserie chicken or $1.50 hot dog and soda combo — have not experienced price increases for years. But while the prices of these products are widely and frequently celebrated, few customers are aware of the outsized social, environmental, and ethical costs associated with them.
In an effort to drive down prices and maximize profit, Costco has been linked with some rather unsavory business practices including rearing animals in horrible conditions, the use of illegal labor, and questionable product labeling. Although prices remain low, it appears that Costco’s well-loved bargains do not come cheap.
Costco’s Chickens Were Reared Inhumanely
Chickens at Costco farm – mercyforanimals/YouTube
Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken is the store’s most celebrated product. In fact, the cheap chicken is so integral to the brand that Costco has spent $1 billion building an industry-leading chicken processing plant in Nebraska with the sole goal of streamlining its rotisserie chicken supply chain. That being said, a $4.99 chicken is never going to be far from controversy, and Costco’s rotisserie chicken has received its fair share of criticism in recent years.
The majority of these complaints stem from a 2021 investigation of a Costco-controlled poultry farm. Videos taken by nonprofit organization Mercy For Animals showed birds living in cramped, filthy conditions. Some were even suffering from open wounds. When confronted with the evidence, Costco claimed to the New York Times that much of the footage was unremarkable and also stated that the company adhered to standards laid out by trade associations (via CNN). Despite pressure, Costco has not followed the lead of many other food businesses and signed on to the Better Chicken Commitment, a welfare policy designed to improve the lives of industrially reared broiler chickens.
Following the Mercy For Animals investigation, two shareholders, represented by the litigation nonprofit Legal Impact for Chickens, launched a lawsuit against Costco. The lawsuit alleged that decisions made by Costco executives caused the company to neglect its livestock, meaning the fast-growing chickens were often unable to access food and water. The case was dismissed, but during the summer of 2023, Costco announced it was reviewing and investigating the issue. No actions have been reported.
Several Costco Products Have Been Linked With Child Labor
A Darigold plant – Ian Dewar Photography/Shutterstock
An article published by The New York Times at the end of 2023 alleged that numerous migrant children were and are working for the producers of various Costco products. According to the article, the vast majority of these children use forged documents to gain and keep employment. Lax checks and the huge workforces associated with many plants and factories mean that child workers are often missed by private auditors, while senior employees often turn a blind eye. What’s more, auditors rarely visit businesses during the night shift when child labor is most prevalent.
As part of its article, NYT interviewed Miguel Sanchez, a child migrant who works at Darigold, a milk supplier for Costco. In his interview, Sanchez detailed dangerous working conditions that resulted in him suffering from an injury. Other workers noted that minors were a common part of the workforce.
This is not the only instance of child labor linked with Costco. Underage workers have also been found to work in sanitation teams, cleaning slaughterhouses which supply Costco with meat. Packers Sanitation Services, the company that employed these minors, had over 100 underage workers on its payroll and was fined $1.5 million. In all these instances, Costco has said it was not aware of any child labor practices in its supply chain.
Customers’ Private Health Data Was Shared With Meta
Costco Pharmacy sign – Bloomberg/Getty Images
Costco boasts a pharmacy as part of its business. As with any pharmacy, Costco’s pharmacy frequently requires and receives customers’ private healthcare information, including their prescriptions and prior illnesses or conditions. This information is both private and sensitive, meaning it should be treated with the utmost care. Unfortunately, Costco has not always managed to do this.
According to The Seattle Times, a lawsuit raised against Costco in 2023 alleged that the company had shared millions of Americans’ medical information with Meta without customer consent. This was due to Costco’s improper use of Meta Pixel, a tracking code that is designed for use as a business tool. By having Meta Pixel active on the health care section of Costco’s website, any sensitive information that customers entered was automatically shared with Meta. Health-specific targeted ads were reported as a result of the illicit information sharing.
Meta itself has said that using Meta Pixel in this way is against company policy and claims that steps are taken to educate businesses on how to use Meta products properly. Costco has refused to comment on the issue, and the lawsuit is currently ongoing.
Terrible Conditions Were Reported At Costco’s Egg Suppliers
An egg-laying hen at a Costco farm – Direct Action Everywhere – DxE/YouTube
It’s not just Costco’s rotisserie chickens that have been victims of inhumane farming practices but the company’s egg-laying hens, too. Initially, calls to improve the chicken’s lifestyles centered upon the removal of battery cages from the company’s supply chain. These cages were shown to cause the birds immense suffering due to the chickens’ inability to move properly in such a small space. Celebrities such as Bill Maher and Brad Pitt called for the company to remove them in 2015, and Costco listened; 97% of Costco eggs were cage free by September 2022.
Unfortunately, the near complete removal of battery cages from Costco’s supply chain does not mean hens are reared in humane conditions. Videos recorded by a network of animal rights activists, Direct Action Everywhere, at a chicken farm that supplied eggs for Costco’s Kirkland brand showed appalling conditions. The barn the animals were kept in was filthy, and dead and rotting birds littered the floor. Many living chickens also bore injuries associated with the increased aggression the animals display in cage-free systems.
In a response to the video, reported by The Seattle Times, Costco said: “We have reinspected the barn and other operations of this supplier, and based on these inspections and prior audits, we are comfortable with the animal-welfare aspects of the operation.”
Costco Is Clamping Down On Membership Card Sharing
Costco member card being checked – View Press/Getty Images
Costco runs a membership model wherein customers must pay an annual fee to shop at its stores. In order to ensure that non-members do not slip into the shop — and benefit from its low prices — all members are given a card they must display when prompted by cashiers or other staff members. These cards usually feature a photograph of the member, ensuring one card cannot be used by numerous people. However, savvy shoppers have frequently used the self-checkout lanes to get away with using another person’s membership card.
Costco committed to closing this loophole during the summer of 2023 by requiring all customers to show their membership cards when using the self-service checkouts. While an unpopular policy for those who have benefited from this loophole, many members think it is only fair that such a policy gets put in place. After all, they pay for access to discounted goods, so why shouldn’t others?
Some Costco members are not in favor of the crackdown. Many of these individuals are tired of being forced to prove they are members time and again. As one Redditor put it, “I think people are getting more annoyed when they’re getting accused of card sharing and have to jump through hoops to prove that it’s them. It doesn’t help that the picture quality on Costco’s cards is cra***.”
The Company’s Advertising Practices Have Been Challenged
Costco canned tuna in boxes – The Image Party/Shutterstock
In 2023, it was announced that Costco was being taken to court over false and deceptive advertising and labeling practices. The product at the center of the lawsuit was Kirkland Signature White Albacore Tuna in Water. This product carried the “Dolphin Safe” label on its packaging. The plaintiff in the case, Melinda Wright, claimed that this label was directly misleading as the method in which tuna was caught is not dolphin safe.
The Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act lays out specific criteria tuna products need to achieve to be labeled as dolphin safe. Due to Costco supplier’s use of potentially harmful longline fishing techniques to catch tuna, the Kirkland Signature White Albacore Tuna cannot be defined as dolphin safe according to the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act. This suggests that Wright, and other customers like her, were deliberately misled by Costco, which sought to play up the product’s environmental credentials.
This is not the first time Costco has been accused of mislabeling seafood. Also in 2023, the grocery store brand was forced to pay $33,000 AUD after it sold imported Canadian lobsters in its Australian stores, per 9News. In this instance, it was not how the lobsters were caught that was misrepresented but where. Although hailing from Canada, the crustaceans were erroneously labeled as being from Australian waters.
Costco Accepted Illegal Kickbacks From Drug Companies
Tony Gagliese talking – The Fifth Estate/YouTube
Kickbacks, often known as rebates, are payments drug companies make to pharmacy chains. These payments are made to ensure the pharmacy will stock the company’s drugs. Kickbacks are legal in some parts of Canada but not in Ontario, which outlawed the practice during 2013 in an effort to lower drug prices. Despite the law, two senior pharmacy executives at Costco in Ontario — Joseph Hanna and Lawrence Varga — demanded kickbacks from drug salesmen several years after 2013.
Tony Gagliese, a salesman for drug company Ranbaxy, secretly recorded Costco pharmacy executives asking for kickbacks in 2018. The Ontario government subsequently launched an investigation into the brand’s illegal kickback practices. It found Costco had accepted over $7.2 million in illegal kickbacks. In an email to CBC, Hanna said: “I genuinely believed at the time Ranbaxy made the payments in question that they were permissible. Neither I, nor Costco, would ever knowingly accept a payment that was prohibited.”
Costco was fined the amount it illegally earnt in kickbacks, around $7.25 million according to CBC. Hanna and Varga were ordered to pay $50,000 each in fines and costs. Neither pharmacy executive was fired.
Costco Underwent An Eight-Year Lawsuit With Tiffany
People by Costco jewlery case – Bloomberg/Getty Images
Unlike many other grocery store brands, Costco often stocks an impressive range of jewelry. However, this aspect of the store took a hit when famous jewelry brand Tiffany and Co. launched a lawsuit against Costco on Valentine’s Day 2013. Once again, the lawsuit revolved around Costco’s advertising and labeling choices. In this instance, Costco used the name “Tiffany” to describe a range of diamond rings.
Costco defended this choice by stating that “Tiffany” was being used to describe the ring’s pronged setting and did not indicate any connection with the well-known jewelry brand. Tiffany and Co. begged to differ, alleging that Costco was deliberately misleading customers into believing the rings were made by or in association with the brand. Over 3,000 of the rings were sold.
In 2017, four years after the lawsuit was brought against Costco, a judge ruled that Costco had to pay Tiffany and Co. nearly $20 million in damages and punitive damages, per Reuters. Costco appealed the judgment and won. The two companies settled out of court in 2021, according to CNBC. No details regarding the settlement were released.
Multiple Employees Have Accused Costco Of Discrimination
Rae Ellis smiling – Bloomberg/Getty Images
Costco has a reputation for being a good place to work. Employee pay and benefits are among the highest in the sector, and the company’s employee turnover is very low. That being said, Costco has also been accused of taking various discriminatory actions against employees. The most infamous of these resulted in over 700 women launching a class-action lawsuit against Costco.
The lawsuit, led by plaintiff Rae Ellis, alleged that Costco discriminated against women when it came to filling managerial positions. The lawsuit was initiated in 2004. At this time women made up half of Costco’s entire workforce, yet only 13% of Costco store managers were female. The lawsuit was settled in 2013, according to Public Justice. As part of the deal, Costco committed to changing its promotion procedures. These changes are working; at the end of the 2022 fiscal year 37.5% of Costco managers were female.
Other lawsuits have accused Costco of disability discrimination. One such lawsuit was leveled against the company by Marisa Martinez. Martinez was the Mexico Buyer for Costco and was on a work trip to the country when she witnessed a car being held at gunpoint. Martinez developed anxiety after this event and did not feel able to travel to Mexico. In retaliation, Costco banned her from performing any other work-related travel and threatened to remove her from management if she did not travel to Mexico. In the ensuing court case, Costco was forced to pay Martinez $1.85 million in damages, per McGillivary Steele Elkin LLP.
Costco Was Found To Have Lax Pharmacy Controls
Employee working in Costco pharmacy – Bloomberg/Getty Images
In January 2017, it was announced that Costco would pay $11.75 million as a result of a number of its pharmacies improperly filling prescriptions. Lax controls were reported in multiple Costco pharmacies in locations including Washington, Michigan, and California. Among the alleged actions were the filling of incomplete prescriptions and the filling of prescriptions without valid Drug Enforcement Administration registration numbers.
After the settlement was reached, U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker released a statement. In it she said: “These are not just administrative or paperwork violations — Costco’s failure to have proper controls in place in its pharmacies likely played a role in prescription drugs reaching the black market.”
In an effort to ensure such violations do not occur again, Costco invested in a new pharmacy management system. The chain also adopted an auditing system that involved the use of external auditors.
Many Of Costco’s Steaks Are Mechanically Tenderized
Costco meat – ARTYOORAN/Shutterstock
The process of mechanically tenderizing meat involves tiny holes being punctured into the meat by needle-like blades before packaging and selling. This process helps break down some of the meat’s fibers, making the meat feel more tender when it is eaten.
While there is no disputing that mechanically tenderizing steaks works, the process has drawn some criticism as it increases the risk of foodborne illnesses being transferred by the meat. The United States Department of Agriculture highlights that mechanical tenderizing increases the risk of foodborne illnesses, as any pathogens or bacteria that happen to be located on the meat’s surface will be driven into the center of the meat during the puncturing process. This makes the pathogens harder to kill during cooking, increasing the chances that a contaminated piece of meat makes a customer ill.
One way to mitigate this risk is to cook the steaks more thoroughly, raising their internal temperature to 145 degrees Fahrenheit and holding it there for three minutes, or making sure the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees as Costco recommends. Thankfully, Costco indicates on a steak’s label whether it has been mechanically tenderized, giving customers the knowledge they need to prepare and consume their steaks safely.
Costco’s Gold Ingots Are Not A Great Investment
Gold bought from Costco – goldeagleprice/X, formerly known as Twitter
Costco made headlines throughout 2023 due to the popularity of an unlikely grocery store product: 1-ounce gold bars. Costco repeatedly sold out of the product, with CFO Richard Galanti indicating in a company earnings call that after restocking, the product sold out in a few hours. The ingots do not come cheap; Costco has been selling them at around $2,000, and some customers have likely seen them as a worthwhile investment.
Although gold is known to hold its value in times of uncertainty, those looking to make some money are probably better off looking elsewhere. George Milling-Stanley, chief gold strategist at State Street Global Advisors, explained the reason for this in an interview with Investopedia: “There’s a premium of up to 5% when you go to buy it, and there’s often a discount of up to 5% when you want to sell it […] gold’s really got to go up 10% before you actually break even.”
Despite being known as a discount wholesaler, Costco has not waived the costs associated with gold. The price of the company’s gold ingots has hovered between 5% and 7% above the market value. This ensures that it’s Costco, and not the buyers, that are benefiting from this transaction the most.
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD – December 11, 2023
Cathy Scola / Getty Images
Medically reviewed by Simone Harounian, MS
Kiwi, once called the Chinese gooseberry, is a small fruit with significant nutritional benefits. Native to the hillsides of Southwest China, kiwi is now a popular fruit grown in many areas of the world. It earned its name from New Zealand fruit exporters, who named it after the flightless kiwi bird based on similarities in appearance.
There are several kiwi species, but the two most commonly consumed are known under the scientific names Actinidia deliciosa and Actinidiachinensis. The Actinidia deliciosa species is the typical green kiwi often seen in stores. However, no matter the type, kiwis offer many evidence-based health benefits. They are rich in vitamin C and can support digestive, heart, and eye health, among other health benefits.
Supports Digestive Health
Kiwis contain soluble and insoluble fiber, supporting health on many levels, starting in the digestive system. Soluble fiber supports a healthy gut microbiome, while insoluble fiber helps maintain regular bowel movements. Research has shown that the fiber found in kiwis can influence stool consistency and transit time through its water-retaining capabilities, more than fiber in other fruits.
These digestive benefits can help those experiencing constipation find relief by adding bulk to stool and decreasing the time it spends in the digestive tract. Furthermore, a healthy gut microbiome can support many health goals. Research continues to point to its profound implications in health concerns, such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cardiovascular disease, and depression.
Excellent Source of Vitamin C
Kiwi is an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant essential to a healthy immune system. Vitamin C helps protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which are molecules or fragments of molecules with at least one set of unpaired electrons. The oxidative stress triggered by free radicals damages healthy cells and is thought to play a role in a variety of diseases. Just one kiwi provides 64 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C, which is 71% of the recommended intake for men and 85% for women.
Research has shown that eating two kiwis daily for as little as four weeks can improve immune cell function in those with low serum vitamin C. These immune cells, called neutrophils, are white blood cells that help protect the body against infection.
May Benefit Heart Health
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help support heart health through several mechanisms, and the kiwi can be a contributing benefactor. For example, a study that examined kiwi intake and blood pressure found that participants who ate three kiwis daily experienced lower blood pressure than those who ate other fruits. Besides regular exercise, adding kiwi to a well-balanced diet can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Kiwi may also positively affect cholesterol. Research has shown a link between daily kiwi consumption and reduced total cholesterol and triglycerides. The study even connected kiwis with improved HDL cholesterol, the healthy cholesterol.
Supports Weight Management
Kiwis can be a nutritious addition to a well-balanced diet, especially for those aiming to lose weight. They’re deliciously sweet but low in calories, meaning they can satisfy cravings without adding excessive energy intake.
Kiwis also contain dietary fiber, which adds bulk to the diet without skewing calorie intake. Plus, fiber contributes to feelings of fullness, which can help prevent overeating. For reference, one kiwi provides around 42 calories and 2 g of fiber.
Still, it’s important to remember that sustainable weight management relies on a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Kiwis should be consumed mindfully with individualized nutrition needs in mind.
May Improve Eye Health
Interestingly, kiwis may also benefit eye health. Their impressive nutrient profile can help maintain optimal vision and reduce the risk of age-related eye concerns, such as macular degeneration and cataracts. The lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids found in kiwis can help reduce oxidation in the eye, which can ultimately lead to cataracts. Compared to other sources of carotenoids, kiwis offered a high bioavailability.
The vitamin C found in kiwis also plays a role in eye health and eye structure. As an antioxidant, it may help reduce inflammation and the resulting risk of common eye problems like macular degeneration. However, further research is needed better to understand the relationship between vitamin C and eye health.
While there is a need for a deeper understanding of kiwi and its role in the eyes, regular kiwi consumption may benefit those who want to be proactive with their eye health.
Low-Glycemic Index
Carbohydrates are essential to a healthy diet, but not all carbs are created equal. Some provide more nutritional value, while others cause significant blood sugar spikes. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrate-containing foods based on their effects on blood sugar levels. Foods are ranked on a scale from 0 to 100 based on how quickly they raise your blood glucose. The faster their effects, the higher their rank.
Kiwis have a high water content and are considered a low-glycemic index food. The green kiwi varieties have a glycemic index of around 39, and the golden types around 48. Because of its limited effects on blood sugar levels compared to other fruits, the kiwi may be a good choice for those with diabetes.
Nutrition of Kiwi
One kiwi with a 2-inch diameter, or approximately 69 g of the flesh of a raw green kiwi, provides:
Calories: 42.1
Fat: 0.36 g
Sodium: 2.07 milligrams (mg)
Carbohydrates: 10.1 g
Fiber: 2.07 g
Added sugars: 0 g
Protein: 0.79 g
Vitamin C: 64 mg
Vitamin K: 27.8 micrograms (mcg)
Copper: 0.09 mg
The kiwi is a powerhouse fruit, rich in many essential vitamins and minerals. One kiwi provides 10 g of carbs, supplying a boost of energy without causing a rollercoaster of blood sugar levels.
Kiwis are also rich in vitamin C, a potent nutrient for the immune system, and vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health. Lastly, kiwis contain approximately 10% of the recommended daily intake of copper. The body uses copper to carry out many vital functions, including making energy, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Risks of Kiwi
Kiwis are considered generally safe for the average healthy individual. However, they pose a significant risk for those who have a kiwifruit allergy. Kiwis contain many allergens, including actinidin, a major allergen.
The kiwi is a nutritious fruit that offers many health benefits in addition to its delicious flavor. Consider these tips for consuming kiwi:
To quickly peel a kiwi, cut it in half and scoop the flesh out with a spoon.
The peel can be eaten for an additional boost of fiber.
Once ripe, a kiwi should be refrigerated until eaten.
Kiwi can be found with green or golden flesh.
Combine kiwi chunks with mango, peppers, and cilantro to make a zesty salsa.
Layer kiwi slices with Greek yogurt and low-fat granola to make a nutrient-dense breakfast parfait.
Add kiwi slices to various smoothie recipes to add vitamin C and copper to a nutritious snack.
A Quick Review
Kiwi is a powerhouse fruit, rich in flavor and nutrients. Despite its small size, it provides a significant amount of the recommended daily intake of many vitamins and minerals. Kiwis are rich in vitamin C, copper, and vitamin K and contain smaller portions of many other important nutrients. Their impressive nutrition profile supports many avenues of health, including digestion, weight management, and blood sugar control. They also support heart and eye health and a healthy immune system.
Kiwis are generally considered safe, except for those with a known allergy to the fruit or any of its components. A registered dietitian nutritionist can help you incorporate kiwi and other nutritious fruits into a well-balanced diet to help meet your health and wellness goals.
This number will shape Earth’s future as the climate changes. You’ll be hearing about it.
Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY – November 30, 2023
Consider that 3 degrees Fahrenheit is the difference between a raging fever and a healthy toddler. Between a hockey rink and a swimming pool. Between food going bad or staying at a safe temperature.
Now consider that Earth is about 2 degrees Fahrenheit hotter on average than it was in the 1800s. It’s little wonder that has already led to measurable shifts in the climate: The last eight years have been the hottest in recorded history and 2023 is expected to be the hottest yet.
But there’s a looming threshold that will dictate the future of planet Earth. It could have cascading effects on how hot the planet gets, how much seas rise and how significantly normal daily life as we now know it will change.
The number is 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
World leaders at an annual gathering beginning Thursday will be spending considerable energy pondering that number, although they will use the Celsius version: 1.5 degrees.
“We can still make a big difference and every single tenth of a degree is enormously important,” said Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.
Representatives and negotiators from 197 nations are gathering at an event called COP (Conference of the Parties) in the United Arab Emirates, a 13-day meeting that comes at what scientists say is a critical moment in the fight to keep the already dangerous effects of climate change from tipping over into the catastrophic.
Research published last month estimated humanity has only six or so more years before so much carbon dioxide has been pumped into the atmosphere that there’s only a 50% chance of staying below the threshold.
Why 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit is so important
In 2016, the United States and 195 other parties signed the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change aimed at lowering the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to keep global warming at bay.
All the nations that signed the Agreement pledged to try as hard as possible to keep the global average temperature increase below 2.7 degrees, and to definitely keep it below a 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit rise. (Only the Agreement said it in Celsius, which comes out to the smoother-sounding 2.0 degrees Celsius and 1.5 degrees Celsius.)
The numbers sound pretty small – but they aren’t.
A few degrees is a big deal
The difference between 65 degrees and 67.7 degrees (that critical 2.7-degree difference) isn’t even worth carrying a sweater. So why does it worry climate scientists?
It’s because they’re thinking about global temperature averages, and when the global average goes up, the extremes go way up.
People across America are already noticing the effects. Storms are more extreme, drenching areas with more water that’s causing an increasing number of devastating flash floods. Dozens of people in Vermont, Tennessee and Pennsylvania are only the most recent victims.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in a press conference at the UNFCCC SB58 Bonn Climate Change Conference on June 13 in Bonn, Germany. The conference lays the groundwork for the adoption of decisions at the upcoming COP28 climate conference in Dubai in December.
Why is it important to not let the Earth warm an extra degree?
The difference between an aspiration of no more than 2.7 degrees warming and a serious commitment to no more than 3.6 degrees might not seem large.
But multiply the extremes and their effects, and each results in a vastly different world. One is difficult, resulting in a less reliable and more chaotic climate than the one we live with today. The other verges on a movie cataclysm.
At their heart, the 13 days of COP28 negotiations are the place global governments sit down to hammer out just how much each will lower its carbon emissions, though many other climate change topics are on the table as well.
Using published research and reports from the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Carbon Brief laid out the likely measurable difference between a world that is 2.7 degrees warmer and one that is 3.6 degrees warmer:
◾ Sea level rise by 2100 of 18 inches vs. 22 inches
◾ Ice-free Arctic summer chance of 10% vs. 80%
◾ Central U.S. warm spells last 10 days vs. 21 days
◾ Percentage of people facing at least one severe heat wave in five years is 14% vs. 37%
NASA graph showing the rise of carbon dioxide levels in the Earth’s atmosphere from 800,000 years ago to today.
The change has been underway for decades, but the extent of the shift is only now becoming clearly evident. In the 1980s, the country experienced on average a $1 billion, adjusted for inflation, disaster every four months. It now experiences one every three weeks. This year, the country has set a new record with 25 billion-dollar disasters.
The Earth crossed a key warming threshold in 2023, with one-third of the days so far having an average temperature at least 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than preindustrial levels. On Nov. 17, it reached 2.07 degrees above. This year is expected to be the warmest in recorded history, warmer than any other in 125,000 years.
What is COP28?
COP28 is the annual United Nations meeting of the 197 parties that have agreed to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, originally adopted in 1992. The meeting is the decision-making body of the countries that signed onto the U.N. framework. It is held to assess how well nations are dealing with climate change and set agendas and goals.
How important is this COP?
In a major report, the UN’s climate change body said earlier this month that global greenhouse gas emissions need to fall by 45% by the end of this decade compared to 2010 levels to meet the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Things are not going in the right direction. Instead, emissions are set to rise by 9%.
COP28 is where changes can be made.
Scientists say humanity has about a decade to dramatically reduce heat-trapping gas emissions before thresholds are passed that may make recovery from climate collapse impossible.
To do so will require cutting nearly two-thirds of carbon pollution by 2035, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said. That means ending new fossil fuel exploration and weaning wealthy nations away from coal, oil and gas by 2040.
“Humanity is on thin ice – and that ice is melting fast,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the spring. “Our world needs climate action on all fronts – everything, everywhere, all at once.”
Luckily, lifestyle changes and healthy eating habits can often keep chronic inflammation in check. Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can help. This style of eating is similar to the popular Mediterranean diet, since both emphasize anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
And speaking of whole grains, these foods are top inflammation fighters. They’re all good to have on your plate, but one earns our top pick for a top anti-inflammatory grain.
How Whole Grains Help Fight Inflammation
Whole grains have a reputation as a healthy food—and for good reason. “Whole grains are part of a balanced diet and are known for their role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and even some forms of cancer,” says Seattle-based registered dietitian nutritionist, Ginger Hultin, M.S., RDN, owner of Ginger Hultin Nutrition and author of Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep. “A lot of people don’t realize that whole grains can help lower chronic inflammation levels in the body,” she adds.
A 2022 study published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data collected from over 4,000 adults and compared whether the source of dietary fiber (cereals, fruits, vegetables) made a difference on markers of inflammation. Cereal fiber from whole grains was linked to significantly lower markers of inflammation than fiber from either fruits or vegetables.
“The reason [whole grains] play a role in managing systemic inflammation is because they are rich in fiber, which aids both in detoxification and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, a critical component for a robust immune system and controlling inflammation,” Hultin explains. When beneficial bacteria in the gut ferment whole-grain fiber, they produce compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids, that may help reduce inflammation, per a 2020 review in Nutrition Reviews.
The No. 1 Whole Grain for Decreasing Inflammation
Picking just one whole grain for decreasing inflammation was difficult since they all have so much to offer. In the end, farro (aka emmer) was our top whole-grain pick. Here’s why.
Packed with Fiber
As previously mentioned, the fiber in whole grains is part of the reason they have so many anti-inflammatory benefits. When choosing a whole grain to boost your fiber intake, farro is an excellent choice. Just 1/4 cup uncooked farro (about ½ cup cooked) provides 5 grams of fiber, according to the USDA. It’s recommended you aim for 28 to 34 grams of fiber per day, making farro a good source of the nutrient.
Rich in Antioxidants
Farro contains a variety of antioxidants. These are beneficial compounds in foods that can prevent damage caused by free radicals. Although free radicals are produced naturally in the body, if left unchecked they can contribute to chronic inflammation. Farro contains antioxidants like carotenoids, as well as tocotrienols. Carotenoids are yellow, orange and red pigments typically found in veggies like carrots and bell peppers, notes the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Tocotrienols are compounds in the vitamin E family with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, per a 2021 review from the Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences.
Contains Inflammation-Battling Betaine
Our body naturally produces the compound betaine when it metabolizes the nutrient choline, but betaine can also be found in certain foods like beets, spinach and whole grains, according to a 2023 study in BMC Endocrine Disorders. And, you guessed it—farro contains the compound betaine, according to a 2018 article in the Journal of Cereal Science. As noted in a 2023 article in Molecules, there is new interest in betaine as a possible ingredient with anti-inflammatory benefits.
Even though inflammation is a normal and important part of our body’s natural defense system, chronic inflammation puts you at risk for a bevy of health conditions. Luckily, incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your diet can help tame chronic inflammation. Our top whole-grain pick for inflammation is farro, since it’s packed with fiber and antioxidants while also being a versatile pantry staple.
Nine foods to lower cholesterol – and some may surprise you
Boudicca Fox-Leonard – November 6, 2023
Foods to lower cholesterol
If you always swerve the cheese course out of concern for your cholesterol, then it might be time to change tactics.
The long-standing fear has been that saturated fats in cheese increase the level of LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol in our blood, which is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Now some experts believe cheese has been wrongly demonised and that it might actually be beneficial for health. Recent research suggests that the beneficial microbes and nutrients in cheese might inhibit the uptake of its unhealthier elements.
It’s not the only food that’s been re-evaluated after being long associated with raising bad cholesterol. Others include shellfish and eggs.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is the waxy substance found in your blood that is important in the making of certain hormones and healthy cells.
“We can make about two thirds typically of what we need and the last third comes from our diet,” explains dietitian Dr Duane Mellor of the British Dietetic Association.
The difference between HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, sometimes called “good” cholesterol, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is that the former absorbs cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. LDL, on the other hand, takes cholesterol directly to your arteries.
Oily fish has long been praised for its health benefits – getty
Other fats can block your arteries, too
“In simple terms, LDL pushes cholesterol into the body and HDL is a way of getting it out of the body,” says Dr Mellor.
When measuring our risk of developing heart disease, the focus used to be on LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol levels and total cholesterol levels. But our blood also contains a type of fat called triglycerides (found in fat cells), which can also contribute to narrowed arteries.
“It’s now understood that as well as LDL, other types of “bad” fats are also important to consider when thinking about someone’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease,” says Bahee Van de Bor, a paediatric dietitian.
Carrying excess weight, eating a lot of fatty and sugary foods or drinking too much alcohol can all lead to high triglyceride levels. This is because triglycerides are made to store extra calories.
Not all saturated fat is bad for your heart
The new research concerning cheese shows that not every saturated fat behaves the same. Dr Mellor says: “It’s possible that because dairy products come from herbivores they have all sorts of odd-chain fatty acids which may actually be good, so we can’t say all saturated fat is bad,”
However, he adds: “What we can say is that too much of it and your calorie intake will be too high and that’s something to be mindful of.
A healthier approach is to think about eating small amounts. “The main things that are going to drive cholesterol up are eating too many calories, gaining weight and putting on fat, because that’s what your body will then make the cholesterol from.”
Reducing your meat intake will also make room for other foods on your plate, many of which have been shown to actually help lower your cholesterol level. As well as cheese, here are eight more to try…
They can be difficult to know how to cook well, but worth the effort from the perspective of both taste and health. Some animal studies suggest including aubergine may help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. These effects are likely to be because of the fibre as well as the antioxidant content of aubergine, including nasunin, the major component of the pigment in eggplant. “The soluble fibre in them is good. It stops you recycling your own cholesterol that would normally be reabsorbed in the gut,” says Dr Mellor. Soluble fibre binds cholesterol particles to it in the small intestine, preventing them from entering your bloodstream and travelling to other parts of the body. Instead, cholesterol will exit the body through the faeces.
For the most health impact, avoid frying them: “Doing that means you’re getting a lot of energy that way which isn’t good from the weight side of things.” Instead roast them with a sensible amount of oil.
Last eaten most likely in an Indian restaurant, this pointy green vegetable, also known as lady’s fingers or bhindi, is cultivated worldwide and available increasingly in mainstream supermarkets. Researchers have found that a gel in okra called mucilage can help lower cholesterol by binding to it during digestion. This helps cholesterol leave the body through stools.
Okra’s polyphenols content has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. One four-year study in 1,100 people showed that those who ate a diet rich in polyphenols had lower inflammatory markers associated with heart disease.
A healthy food that doesn’t hurt your wallet. Human studies have found that lentils may improve cholesterol levels in people with diabetes. Rich in fibre that can help stop the reabsorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream they also contain folate, iron and vitamin B1, which support your heart health.
Dr Mellor advises opting for red lentils. “They’re easy to use and you can part-substitute the mince in a dish like bolognese, helping you to reduce meat consumption while maintaining protein and iron intake. As well as the dietary benefits there are the financial ones too, because they are much cheaper.”
If you’re looking for a healthy snack, then it has to be nuts.
It’s not entirely clear why, but it’s thought that the “good” fats in nuts – both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats – lower bad cholesterol levels. They contain fibre as well as plant sterols, a substance that can help lower cholesterol. Nuts are also a source of L-arginine, which research suggests may lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol and improve overall blood vessel health.
“A lot of the research is sponsored by the almond growers of California, but it seems to be a class effect,” says Dr Mellor. “The only one that’s not going to be as good is a chestnut because that’s a starchy nut. It’s not a true nut.”
If you go for a hazelnut, walnuts, pecans and almonds, they’re all thought to have a similar effect, as do seeds like chia. “The key thing is not to have salted roast peanuts, because they’re not the healthiest. It’s best to have a fresh nut.”
A type of fibre called beta-glucan present in oats and barley has been found to lower blood cholesterol in studies, says Dr Stacey Lockyer, senior nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation.
When you eat beta-glucan, it forms a gel that binds to cholesterol-rich bile acids in the intestines. This helps limit the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed from the gut into your blood. Your liver then has to take more cholesterol out of your blood to make more bile, which lowers your blood cholesterol.
“The healthiest way to have them is as a simple porridge with a little bit of fresh or dried fruit,” says Dr Mellor. “The key thing is not to add lots of syrups and chocolate sprinkles and all sorts of things people do. Keep it as simple as possible.”
Tofu, made from condensed soy milk, may have been discovered during the Han dynasty (202 BC – AD 220) and became a popular choice for Buddhist monks who didn’t want to eat meat or fish. Modern researchers have studied soybeans to understand their effect on cholesterol, with scientists noting that soybeans with increased levels of the protein beta-conglycinin compared with the protein glycinin were better able to regulate cholesterol metabolism and inhibit fatty acid oxidation. It is thought that eating soybeans with higher levels of beta-conglycinin may help to maintain healthy liver and cardiovascular function.
“A harder one to sell to people,” says Dr Mellor, as tofu isn’t a traditional food in the UK. “You can scramble it like an egg that works quite well. Or you can toss it into a stir fry with a load of vegetables and serve it with noodles. It does taste better when fried, or you can put it into a curry sauce. The key thing is that you add it into a sauce early so it can take on the flavours of the sauce,” says Dr Mellor.
Of the reason tofu is a cholesterol buster, he says: “It seems to be the phytoestrogens, these plant-like mimicking hormones that tend to alter the way the cholesterol is absorbed.”
It’s a myth that tofu has a feminising effect, he adds: “Otherwise vast swathes of the world that eat plots of tofu, would have different characteristics. But it does tend to have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risks.”
The omega-3 fats found in oily fish can help lower harmful blood triglycerides. “It seems to be beneficial in helping lower triglycerides and increasing the good cholesterol,” says Dr Mellor. Oily fish includes herring, mackerel, pilchards, sardines, salmon, trout and fresh tuna. “I’d probably go for something simple and not too salty like sardines in tomato sauce which you can have on a piece of toast as a quick and easy meal,” says Dr Mellor. “It’s an alternative to a bacon sandwich and healthier.”
When it comes to having healthy cholesterol levels the vitamins and fibre in vegetables are key. “It’s not quite as simple as antioxidants, but they contain a range of things like Vitamin C and E, which help keep the cholesterol in its healthy state,” says Dr Mellor.
The brassica family has been associated with healthy cholesterol because of its levels of soluble fibre. In particular, studies have shown a diet rich in high glucoraphanin broccoli reduces plasma LDL cholesterol. Other cholesterol-busting vegetables to consider include spinach, Brussels sprouts and collard greens.
“The science isn’t 100 per cent but it is thought that having a range of these different plants will nourish your gut microbiome that has a role in your body handling fats and lipids, not necessarily cholesterol but triglycerides.”
‘Sandwich generation’ is in a jam and struggling with caregiving costs, survey shows
Dylan Croll – November 4, 2023
Meeting basic living expenses is tough enough when you go it alone. But what about when you have someone else to look after?
According to New York Life’s new Wealth Watch Survey, nearly half of the “sandwich generation” – folks with children and elderly family members to look after – report being unable to meet basic living expenses, like food or medical care, in the last year due to caregiving costs.
Of those surveyed, 90% say they’ve made a “lifestyle change or financial decision” due to the cost of caregiving.
The study,which surveyed 1,003 sandwich generation adults between Aug. 31 and Sept. 10, showshow unprepared they are for the expenses of caregiving. It also reveals how they’re adapting.
“People should care because you can be individually financially healthy, have your bills under control, have adequate emergency savings,” said Suzanne Schmitt, head of financial wellness at New York Life. “But you’re one caregiving event away from having your own finances challenged.”
Is the so-called sandwich generation under financial siege? (Photo: Getty Creative) (BlessedSelections via Getty Images)
The study also reports a demographic shift in those who make up the Sandwich Generation. Millennials, 27-42 years old, are increasingly becoming caregivers. In 2023, the study reported, 66% of self-reported caregivers were millennials while 23% were Gen Xers. Meanwhile, in 2020, merely 39% of caregivers were millennials and 40% were Gen Xers, between the ages of 43 – 58.
Men are also playing a more active role in caregiving, according to the study. For instance, in 2023, 45% of self-reported caregivers were women while 55% were men. That’s in stark contrast to 2020, when 64% of self-reported caregivers were women and 36% were men.
“Males as a result likely of the pandemic are more willing to admit to providing care and are more apt to be pulled into the act of household caregiving for children and also older loved ones,” said Schmitt.
Though more men are becoming caregivers, women still bear a notable financial and emotional load from caregiving. The study found that 72% of men “said they would be able to afford providing the same level of care for their loved ones for at least another year before adjusting their financial plan” while only 54% of women said the same. And the report finds that 50% of women say that caregiving negatively impacts their mental health compared to 39% of men.
Women also continue to spend more hours per week caregiving than men, according to the study.
“Women historically have underreported caregiving, because it’s often just seen by many women as something they simply do,” Schmitt said. “Picking up prescriptions, managing medications, doing grocery shopping, doing cooking.”
Family caregivers are struggling to make ends meet. (Photo: Getty Creative) (Drazen Zigic via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the sandwich generation as a whole is struggling to make ends meet as they care for children and the elderly. The study finds that 40% say they “made a financial decision they regret due to mental strain from caregiving.” More than 50% say they’ve “made a sacrifice” when it comes to financial security due to caregiving needs. Of those that have made a financial change due to caregiving responsibilities, 34% reported cutting back on expenses, 26% reported contributing less to their emergency savings, and 26% reported taking on more debt.
On the other hand, the sandwich generations’ financial struggles have also made them more far-sighted. For instance, over 3 in 4 agree that “the experience of caring for their aging relative led them to purchase or explore purchasing financial protection products,” according to the survey. New York Life also reports that 34% of study respondents plan to pay for future caregiving costs by paying more out of their own budget, 28% say they plan to do so by working overtime in their jobs, 27% say they will do so by spending the retirement savings of those they will be caring for.
The sandwich generation is also saving money for their children to take care of them. According to the study, 42% say they’ve put aside $43,136.67 on average.
“As a silver lining in all of this we believe that younger people are starting to have those thoughts and internal dialogue and conversations with spouses and partners earlier in life,” Schmitt said. “Where they simply have more time to save more runway to consider products and solutions, and ultimately be proactive in putting a plan in place before they find themselves in this care.”
Americans are still putting way too much food into landfills. Local officials seek EPA’s help
Melina Walling – October 31, 2023
Shredded organic materials are piled up before being taken to a anaerobic digester at a GreenWaste Zanker Resource Recovery Facility in San Jose, Calif., Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. For the first time since the 1990s, the EPA updated its ranking of preferred strategies for waste reduction, ranging from preventing wasted food altogether (by not producing or buying it in the first place) to composting or anaerobic digestion, a process by which food waste can be turned into energy in the form of biogas. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)A truck loaded with organic material exits a GreenWaste Zanker Resource Recovery Facility with the generators that will convert biogas into electricity at rear in San Jose, Calif., Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. For the first time since the 1990s, the EPA updated its ranking of preferred strategies for waste reduction, ranging from preventing wasted food altogether (by not producing or buying it in the first place) to composting or anaerobic digestion, a process by which food waste can be turned into energy in the form of biogas. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)Generators that will convert biogas into electricity sit at a GreenWaste Zanker Resource Recovery Facility in San Jose, Calif., Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. For the first time since the 1990s, the EPA updated its ranking of preferred strategies for waste reduction, ranging from preventing wasted food altogether (by not producing or buying it in the first place) to composting or anaerobic digestion, a process by which food waste can be turned into energy in the form of biogas. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
CHICAGO (AP) — More than one-third of the food produced in the U.S. is never eaten. Much of it ends up in landfills, where it generates tons of methane that hastens climate change. That’s why more than 50 local officials signed onto a letter Tuesday calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to help municipal governments cut food waste in their communities.
The letter came on the heels of two recent reports from the EPA on the scope of America’s food waste problem and the damage that results from it. The local officials pressed the agency to expand grant funding and technical help for landfill alternatives. They also urged the agency to update landfill standards to require better prevention, detection and reduction of methane emissions, something scientists already have the technology to do but which can be challenging to implement since food waste breaks down and starts generating methane quickly.
Tackling food waste is a daunting challenge that the U.S. has taken on before. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the EPA set a goal of cutting food waste in half by 2030, but the country has made little progress, said Claudia Fabiano, who works on food waste management for the EPA.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Fabiano said.
Researchers say the EPA reports provide sorely needed information. One report found that 58% of methane emissions from landfills come from food waste, a major issue because methane is responsible for about a quarter of global warming and has significantly more warming potential than carbon dioxide.
With the extent of the problem clearly defined, some elected leaders and researchers alike hope to take action. But they say it will take not just investment of resources but also a major mindset shift from the public. Farmers may need to change some practices, manufacturers will need to rethink how they package and market goods, and individuals need to find ways to keep food from going to waste.
So for the first time since the 1990s, the EPA updated its ranking of preferred strategies for waste reduction, ranging from preventing wasted food altogether (by not producing or buying it in the first place) to composting or anaerobic digestion, a process by which food waste can be turned into biogas inside a reactor. Prevention remains the top strategy, but the new ranking includes more nuances comparing the options so communities can decide how to prioritize their investments.
But reducing waste requires a big psychological change and lifestyle shift from individuals no matter what. Researchers say households are responsible for at least 40% of food waste in the U.S.
It’s a more urgent problem than ever, said Weslynne Ashton, a professor of environmental management and sustainability at the Illinois Institute of Technology who was not involved with the EPA reports. Americans have been conditioned to expect abundance at grocery stores and on their plates, and it’s expensive to pull all that food out of the waste stream.
“I think it is possible to get zero organic waste into landfills,” Ashton said. “But it means that we need an infrastructure to enable that in different locations within cities and more rural regions. It means we need incentives both for households as well as for commercial institutions.”
With the problem clearly defined and quantified, it remains to be seen whether communities and states will get extra help or guidance from the federal level — and how much change they can make either way. The EPA has recently channeled some money from the Inflation Reduction Act toward supporting recycling, which did include some funding for organics waste, but those are relatively new programs.
Some local governments have been working on this issue for a while. California began requiring every jurisdiction to provide organic waste collection services starting in 2022. But others don’t have as much of a head start. Chicago, for instance, just launched a city-wide composting pilot program two weeks ago that set up free food waste drop-off points around the city. But prospective users have to transport their food scraps themselves.
Ning Ai, an associate professor of urban planning and policy at the University of Illinois Chicago, said the report could be bolstered by more specific information about how different communities can adopt localized solutions, since preventing food waste might look different in rural and urban areas or in different parts of the country. But she was also impressed that the report highlighted tradeoffs of environmental impacts between air, water and land, something she said is not often as aggressively documented.
“These two reports, as well as some of the older ones, that definitely shows up as a boost to the national momentum to waste reduction,” said Ai, who was not involved with the EPA’s research.
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
SC wastes more food than any other state, new study shows. Here’s why and how much
Sarah Claire McDonald – November 1, 2023
With the coming months bringing seasonal food fads and festive holidays, food waste has the potential to be much more prominent around this time of year.
After Cherry Digital, a communications agency, surveyed 3,200 Americans to find out how much was thrown away this past year, it was discovered that U.S. households waste about $907 worth of food annually.
Food waste comes in to Re-Soil, near Elgin, and is composted over a 15 day period.
As for South Carolina, the reported estimation was much higher than the nation’s.
Residents in households around the Palmetto State were reported to waste over $1,300 worth of food each year, according to survey data from the study.
After the findings were broken down state-by-state, the survey found that South Carolinians were the most wasteful overall, getting rid of $1,304.68 worth of food each year.
The least-wasteful state in the U.S. is West Virginia, the study states. This state’s residents reportedly only throw away $404.90 worth of their annual groceries.
Although this could in part be due to wasted leftovers, there could be another issue afoot.
The survey shows that only one-quarter of people know what the “use-by date” actually means for peak product quality.
According to the findings, the survey displayed that 30.4% of individuals believed that this date means the last date the product was edible, 22% thought that it meant that it was the last date the food product could be displayed and sold in a store and 21% believed that it meant the date that the product would be at its best flavor and quality, which is the meaning behind a “best-by date.”
According to the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), examples of commonly used phrases and their meaning include:
A “Best if Used By/Before” date indicates when a product will be of its best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.
A “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
The survey also discovered that, for food wasted, 51.1% of people believe that best before dates on fruits and vegetables should be ignored as “it’s easy to tell if something has gone bad,” as detailed by its findings. The study also discovered that the foods Americans would most likely throw away are dairy products at 46.6%, 22.3% for meat, fish at 19.2%, bread at 5.1% and vegetables at 8.5%.
Discarded rotten fruit left for waste after a market.
For those who don’t want their uneaten or unused food to go to waste, your local community may have several food drives, food banks and community help centers that will take all kinds of donations, especially around the holidays.
Although there could be several others, Feeding America’s website lets its users search for nearby affiliated food banks to donate. This website can be found online at https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-food-bank.
