City Councilor's Tough Love Message on Healthy Eating Sparks Debate Amidst Thanksgiving
As World Diabetes Day was marked by City Councilor Ald. Emma Mitts, the 37th district representative delivered a passionate plea to her colleagues and constituents to rethink their relationship with food. In an emotionally charged address, Mitts shared her own personal battle against diabetes, which she credited to a newfound focus on healthy eating.
Mitts revealed that just over a year ago, she embarked on an "emotionally important journey" after being diagnosed with the disease. She attributes her recovery to a drastic change in diet, shifting away from high-fat, high-salt foods and sugary desserts towards plant-based, nutrient-rich meals. Her doctor's words of wisdom – "If you don't help yourself, you can't help nobody else" – served as a wake-up call for Mitts.
At the City Council meeting, Mitts urged her colleagues to adopt similar changes in their eating habits, particularly when it comes to food high in grease, butter, and sugar. She emphasized that this wasn't about depriving oneself of favorite foods but rather being mindful of one's choices. "Do you want to live or do you want to die?" she posed the poignant question, encouraging her audience to pause before indulging.
While Mitts acknowledged that her message may be ill-timed, given the impending Thanksgiving holiday, she reassured her colleagues and constituents that it was a battle worth fighting. "Stay on the battlefield," she said. When asked for guidance by colleague Budget Committee Chair Jason Ervin, who has reportedly lost weight in recent months, Mitts offered words of encouragement, suggesting they start small and make healthier choices.
Mayor Brandon Johnson intervened during the exchange, prompting Mitts to soften her tone towards Ervin. However, it was clear that the exchange had struck a chord, with both parties committed to promoting healthy eating habits. As Mitts suggested meeting up at MacArthur's for a meal featuring greens and other nutrient-rich options, it became evident that this was more than just a City Council debate – it was a community call to action.
As World Diabetes Day was marked by City Councilor Ald. Emma Mitts, the 37th district representative delivered a passionate plea to her colleagues and constituents to rethink their relationship with food. In an emotionally charged address, Mitts shared her own personal battle against diabetes, which she credited to a newfound focus on healthy eating.
Mitts revealed that just over a year ago, she embarked on an "emotionally important journey" after being diagnosed with the disease. She attributes her recovery to a drastic change in diet, shifting away from high-fat, high-salt foods and sugary desserts towards plant-based, nutrient-rich meals. Her doctor's words of wisdom – "If you don't help yourself, you can't help nobody else" – served as a wake-up call for Mitts.
At the City Council meeting, Mitts urged her colleagues to adopt similar changes in their eating habits, particularly when it comes to food high in grease, butter, and sugar. She emphasized that this wasn't about depriving oneself of favorite foods but rather being mindful of one's choices. "Do you want to live or do you want to die?" she posed the poignant question, encouraging her audience to pause before indulging.
While Mitts acknowledged that her message may be ill-timed, given the impending Thanksgiving holiday, she reassured her colleagues and constituents that it was a battle worth fighting. "Stay on the battlefield," she said. When asked for guidance by colleague Budget Committee Chair Jason Ervin, who has reportedly lost weight in recent months, Mitts offered words of encouragement, suggesting they start small and make healthier choices.
Mayor Brandon Johnson intervened during the exchange, prompting Mitts to soften her tone towards Ervin. However, it was clear that the exchange had struck a chord, with both parties committed to promoting healthy eating habits. As Mitts suggested meeting up at MacArthur's for a meal featuring greens and other nutrient-rich options, it became evident that this was more than just a City Council debate – it was a community call to action.
I mean, I've been trying to kick the sugar habit for ages but I still can't resist those Thanksgiving desserts 
. Her message is all about balance and self-love, not about depriving yourself of food you love. It's like, if we're gonna indulge, let's do it mindfully, right? 
And I love that she shared her own personal story, it makes the issue more relatable. Maybe this is exactly what we need - a friendly nudge towards healthier eating habits 
. And can we please follow up on this with some cooking classes for the council members? That would be amazing! 
I think Ald. Mitts message is kinda needed we've all been guilty of overindulging on those cheesy, sugary treats 
especially around holidays like Thanksgiving. It's not about cutting out your fave foods entirely, but being more mindful of what you're putting in your body 
I personally started making healthier changes after watching a documentary about the impact of processed foods on our health and it's been life-changin' 
. Maybe we should all take Ald. Mitts advice and "stay on the battlefield" towards healthier eating habits? 
Let's make a conscious effort to prioritize our well-being, even if it means saying no to that extra slice of pie 
#HealthyEatingForAll #FoodForThought #WellnessWarriors
the thing that got me though is when she said "do you want to live or do you want to die?" - like, no one wants to die over a slice of pumpkin pie 
. mitts is like super relatable 2, we all know someone who's had 2 deal w/ those issues. and thanksgiving is like the worst time 4 eating like that 
. i love how she's not all judgy tho, just genuinely tryin 2 make ppl aware of the importance of healthy eatin'. gotta respect her for sharin' her story & takin it upon herself 2 spread awareness 
i need that wake-up call, you know? her story about getting diagnosed with diabetes and how it changed her life is so inspiring 
i think we should all be more like Ald Mitts and take care of ourselves first. the thing that really got me was when she said "if you don't help yourself, you can't help nobody else" - that's so true 
i've been trying to eat healthier but it's not just about the food, it's about taking control of our lives too 
, Ald. Emma Mitts is totally on point with her message about healthy eating 
, and it's so inspiring that she's shared her own personal journey of overcoming it. She's not trying to be a nag or anything (although some people might think that way 
? That's so powerful. And yeah, maybe Thanksgiving isn't the best time for this conversation, but sometimes we need those tough loves 
! Who's with her? 
. As someone who's struggled with their own weight and health, it's so refreshing to see a leader like her speaking up about making changes that can have a real impact on our lives. I mean, we all love a good Thanksgiving feast, but let's not forget that the choices we make around food can be super important for our overall well-being 
. Who knows, maybe MacArthur's will even become a go-to spot for healthy eats 
?
. It's a call to action that resonates with me, especially after World Diabetes Day. Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of policy and make sure our city is working towards a more equitable food system 
. We need a holistic approach that addresses poverty, accessibility, and corporate influence – it's time for a comprehensive conversation! 
Also, why is Mayor Brandon Johnson intervening in this conversation? Is he trying to calm her down or just tell her to pipe down? 