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The Food Filter

March 31, 2025
Wellness
3 min read

Why What You Eat Matters More Than Ever—Especially in Small-Town Texas

In Stephenville and Eastland, we’re no strangers to good food. From Friday night cookouts to Sunday brunch, food brings our communities together. But as life gets busier and labels get trickier, many families are asking: What am I really eating?

That’s where Dr. LaDuque’s Food Filter comes in—a wellness mindset built around awareness, simplicity, and stewardship. Not a diet. Not a fad. Just a better lens for choosing what nourishes your body and fuels your life.

What Is the Food Filter?

It’s not about calories. It’s not about willpower. It’s about asking one key question: Does this serve my health and purpose?

That mindset—especially when passed down to your kids—shapes not only meals but mindset. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. Small wins like switching soda for sparkling water or reading labels before you buy. They add up.

What We’re Up Against

More than 70% of the U.S. food supply is considered ultra-processed (Monteiro et al., 2019). Even “healthy-looking” snacks can be packed with inflammatory oils, added sugars, and artificial preservatives. In rural towns, choices may be limited—but awareness is power.

For many of Dr. LaDuque’s patients, the first breakthrough isn’t a supplement. It’s cleaning out the pantry.

5 Ingredients to Watch Out For

  • 1. Seed Oils: Soybean, canola, corn—linked to systemic inflammation.
  • 2. Artificial Sweeteners: Sucralose, aspartame—can disrupt gut microbiome and glucose response.
  • 3. Synthetic Dyes: Especially Red 40 and Yellow 5—linked to behavioral issues in children (Nigg et al., 2012).
  • 4. High-Fructose Corn Syrup: A driver of fatty liver and insulin resistance.
  • 5. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): A common additive in packaged foods that may contribute to headaches and metabolic issues.

Simple Swaps that Work

  • Use avocado or olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
  • Buy full-fat plain yogurt and sweeten with fruit or honey.
  • Choose grass-fed meats when possible—or prioritize lean cuts locally sourced.
  • Replace soda with sparkling water and citrus slices.
  • Read labels: look for ingredients you recognize and can pronounce.

Making It Work in Stephenville & Eastland

We don’t have big-city grocery stores or boutique wellness shops. But we have something better: community. Local farmers markets. Co-ops. Family-owned butchers. Real food is accessible—you just have to look for it, ask questions, and build small routines.

One Stephenville mom started doing Sunday prep with her kids—washing produce, portioning snacks, and even making bone broth. “I’m not perfect,” she said. “But I feel more in control, and my kids are learning what real food looks like.”

What About Budget?

Eating clean doesn’t mean spending more. In fact, cutting packaged snacks, soda, and takeout frees up funds for higher-quality basics: eggs, oats, potatoes, rice, beans, frozen veggies. Start with ingredients—not products.

Dr. LaDuque often reminds families: “Don’t upgrade everything. Just filter what matters most.”

The Deeper Why

Filtering your food isn’t just about physical health. It’s spiritual stewardship. It’s modeling discipline, awareness, and self-respect for your children. It’s realizing that your energy, mood, and focus are deeply connected to what’s on your plate.

“We honor God not just with our words, but with how we care for the bodies He gave us.” — Dr. LaDuque

Citations

  • Monteiro, Carlos A., et al. “Ultra‐processed foods: what they are and how to identify them.” Public Health Nutrition, vol. 22, no. 5, 2019, pp. 936–941.
  • Nigg, Joel T., et al. “Meta-analysis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, restriction diet, and synthetic food color additives.” Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, vol. 51, no. 1, 2012, pp. 86–97.
  • Schwingshackl, Lukas, and Georg Hoffmann. “Dietary fatty acids in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.” BMJ Open, vol. 4, no. 4, 2014, e004487.

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Author: Dr. LaDuque, Dental Excellence
Location: Stephenville & Eastland, TX

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