The Declining American Diet

995 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The effects of fast food on our life

In centuries past, America’s diet has turned from small portions and locally grown food to processed meats and high calorie meare easily attainable and affordable. In 1984, 72% of our dinners were home-made. In 2007, just 57% were (Doane). As a nation that is always on the move, Americans tend to look for fast and easy ways to live our day to day lives. The growth in fast food restaurants has taken over our “convenient” country and has trained us to become dependent on cheap and easy food, also known as a lead cause to obesity. Restaurants aren’t the only reason American’s are eating so unhealthy. The mental stimulation that our favorite calorie filled foods provide us are causing our country to lose their health-and their sanity.
Most of us could eat healthier if we wanted to, but we just don't want to. It is a growing mental issue for many people. As a country in a battle with obesity, it is clear that healthy eating isn’t easy. Over a third of the American population is classified as obese; this means that almost 41 million women and more than 37 million men aged 20 and older were obese in 2010 (Avena). Obesity comes with not only physical problems, but also many emotional problems. Individuals who are considered obese are often judged as lazy, unintelligent and overall not socially accepted. In a way, it is definitely unfair. There are people who can have a disease, such as with their thyroid, which can cause them to not be able to get weight off as easily as others. But for the majority of American’s, we tend to feed into what we are feeding ourselves, almost as if it were our own addiction; and drive-thru’s are our dealers.
When compared to drugs ands their criteria for addiction, food is just as easily considered addicti...

... middle of paper ...

...lth, but all the others can do is try and make a positive difference. The lack of motivation and support coming from our country is, and will always affect how we deal with our help. America has a lot of work to do, and it is not possible, but it will require a big change.

Works Cited
Avena, Nicole. "The American Diet." Psychology Today. Psychology Today, 19 Aug. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.

Brody, Jane E. "America's Diet: Too Sweet by the Handful." Nytimes.com. New York Times, 9 Feb.
2009. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.

Doane, Seth. "America's Changing Eating Habits." Cbsnews.com. CBS, 23 Nov. 2008. Web. 27 Nov.
2013.

Patenaude, Frederic. "Eating Habits of Americans vs French People and Europeans."Renegadehealth.com. Renegade Health, 11 July 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.

Reilly, Rachel. "Food Addiction Does Exist." Dailymail.co.uk. Daily Mail, 27 Aug. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013.

Show More
Related

  • Escape From The Diet And Michael Pollan's Escape From The Western Diet

    1312 Words  | 3 Pages

    For some time, scholars and writers have continuously debated as to what constitutes or defines the idea of healthy eating, mainly because of the increase in the number of people diagnosed with ailments associated with bad eating habits. It has quickly become the forefront of issue, particularly in the United States. In recognition of this on-going debate, this composition seeks to compare and contrast two well-known authors concerning how we think about and consume food. In Michael Pollan’s discussion, “Escape from the Western Diet,” he discusses the negative sides of nutrition science, including conflicting theories surrounding the elements of healthy food consumption and why solutions are essential for the Western diet and lifestyle. “Escape from the Western Diet,’’ is among the articles that talks about the eating habits of individuals in the society. In the article, Pollan points out not only the numerous conflicts concerning what types of diets – including carbohydrate-based, the inclusion of omega-3s, other nutrition-specific needs - that are believed to directly affect general health or specific illnesses, but also how western nutritionism compares to other countries diets affect longevity outcomes. In the end, Pollan suggests that the United States must seek solutions that move towards more natural, unprocessed, plant-based lifestyles that ensure that individuals are making what they consume a primary

    Read More

  • Obesity In Michael Moss's Escape From The Western Diet

    1217 Words  | 3 Pages

    American health, specifically our obesity epidemic, has grown into a trending media topic. A quick Google search will bring up thousands of results containing a multitude of opinions and suggested solutions to our nation’s weight gain, authored by anyone ranging from expert food scientists to common, concerned citizens. Amongst the sea of public opinion on obesity, you can find two articles: Escape from the Western Diet by Michael Pollan and The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food by Michael Moss. Each article presents a different view on where the blame lies in this public health crisis and what we should do to amend the issue. Pollan’s attempt to provide an explanation pales in comparison to Moss’s reasonable discussion and viable

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The American Paradox By Michael Pollan

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his essay “The American Paradox”, Michael Pollan illustrates his conclusion that Americans who focus on nutrition have a higher probability of decreasing their well-being. Pollan defines the American paradox as “a notably unhealthy population preoccupied with nutrition and the idea of eating healthily.” For most of our human history, our parents and culture have influenced our diet. However, today the idea of what to eat has been based on the opinions of scientists, food markets, and nutritionists. I agree with Pollan’s argument that being preoccupied with what we eat makes us unhealthy, however, we need a balance and a sense of responsibility in what we eat.

    Read More

  • Eating In The American Paradox, By Michael Pollan

    1236 Words  | 3 Pages

    Eating is an instinctual habit; however, what we decide to put in our body is a choice that will affect our way of living. In “The American Paradox,” Michael Pollan, a professor of journalism at University of California, Berkeley, disapproves of the way Americans have been eating. The term “American paradox” describes the inverse correlation where we spend more of our time on nutrition, but it would only lead to our overall health deteriorating. According to Pollan, our way of eating that had been governed with culture, or our mother, was changed by the entities of food marketers and scientists, who set up nutritional guidelines that changed the way we think about food. Nutritional advice is inaccurate as it is never proven, and it is not beneficial

    Read More

  • Our National Eating Disorder By Michael Pollan Summary

    986 Words  | 2 Pages

    Americans are viewed by Pollan as “a notably unhealthy people obsessed by the idea of eating healthy”(Our National Eating Disorder). An example of this obsession is the current epidemic of carbophobia.

    Read More

  • The Western Diet

    1171 Words  | 3 Pages

    America’s obesity rates and depression rates continue to proportionally rise every year compared to the rest of the world (3). Is a Western Diet, which is a diet that mainl...

    Read More

  • In Defense Of Food Essay

    611 Words  | 2 Pages

    Unlike similar documentaries published, Michael Pollan’s “In Defense of Food” effectively shows how the American diet has failed to produce good eating habits. As members of this modern culture we are exposed to all the wrong eating approaches. Michael pollan successfully convinces the viewer it can be simple. He conclusively defends food as it is intended to be eaten, and exhorts the viewer to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly

    Read More

  • Drug Addiction Essay

    1415 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...en, H., and Fletcher. P. C. "Is Food Addiction A Valid And Useful Concept?." Obesity Reviews 14.1 (2013): 19-28. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • The Obesity Epidemic Sweeping the Nation

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    Repeatedly the news will highlight a story about the obesity epidemic sweeping the nation. Although the news and health experts bombard the common citizen with quick and easy ways to eat healthier and exercise more, the source of the issue is kept hidden behind closed doors. Before placing blame on the eating habits, it’s essential to take a closer look at what is being consumed. With rapid change in the food industry, progress must be met with caution because “The way we eat has changed more in the past fifty years than in the past 10,000” (Pollan and Schlosser). It is easy for the common man to provide the blanket statement of eating “better”, yet few actually proceed to do this. The average American has one of the worst diets in the world although opportunity and variety of options are overwhelming. Food industries are deceiving by masking the true process of how their food is produced. Not only does the eye not see how the food was made, but there is also a false sense of variety in the grocery market. The grossly unbalanced American diets and genetically modified organisms both coexist to create a greater problem than previously thought of.

    Read More

  • America's Food Problem

    1137 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the United States, Food is one of the basic needs of life.We tend to spend tons of money every year to buy food. Consuming food reflects America’s culture in the United States. In America, Fast food is a way to enjoy delicious food made with sugar, fat and salt. It’s impossible to back away from eating good tasting food. Unfortunately, this is leading to major destruction. In the human life, food procurement, preparation, and consumption have devoted to an art form.Spite the terms of “America has a food problem,” it shows that our nation is unable to produce and supply safe, nutritious food in a way where it sustains our global population. Health Issues are a result of over consumption, which lead to portion sizes, and food production.

    Read More

  • The Politics of Obesity

    1315 Words  | 3 Pages

    Michael Pollan. “The (Agri)Cultural Contradictions of Obesity.” The New York Times Magazine. Oct 12, 2003.

    Read More

  • What Are The Pros And Cons Of GMO

    906 Words  | 2 Pages

    Eating is extremely important, it is also important to eat healthy. Most Americans eat without any concerns; they are not questioning or researching what they are feeding themselves or their family. A lot of that has to do with their financial stability, not having the time to prepare a meal due to their time-consuming work schedule, also lack of knowledge and education on what they are consuming. In this bibliography, I will go over all three articles and explain what they are about.

    Read More

  • The American Diet

    1162 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most Americans do not care enough to take a look at the nutritional values of the food that he or she is consuming. That is why America has the highest percentage of obesity in the world. This is a serious problem because one in every three adults is obese, and one in every six children is obese. There are many factors that go into the regular American diet, but most of those factors are not appealing nor is it healthy. Americans put way too much processed food into their daily diet. Some would say that other countries diets superior the American diet because of nutritional values that it carries. Other countries have proven that an active lifestyle is a huge element in the average weight of the country. There are many things that Americans could change about their diets and lifestyle that would help them to become healthier.

    Read More

  • Food Addiction Essay

    1197 Words  | 3 Pages

    Food addiction can lead to serious and difficult health concerns. Nevertheless, obesity has other health issues that comes with it as well. In the United States between 2007 and 2009 there has been a 1.1% increase of obesity (Pedram). There has been an assumption that if it continues by 2050 it would be close to 100% of Americans who would be obese (Pedram). This information explains that the increase in overconsumption of food can slowly make most Americans suffer from obesity. Another issue of obesity is that it is “the fifth leading cause of global death” (Pedram). Becoming a food addict can cause an individual into becoming obese that they may eventually face death. Food addiction has become quite a controversial that it is difficult to overcome as fast food restaurants are encouragement in individuals to choose the path of obesity. Nevertheless, obesity is still a health issue that is harmful and dangerous to an

    Read More

  • Junk Food- The Legal Drug

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    Moss, Michael. “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food.” The New York Times 20 February 2013 (12 March 2014)

    Read More

More about The Declining American Diet

Open Document