Few dietary trends have been or are as prominent, prevalent, and influential as the movement towards dining out in general and fast food in particular. Dating back as far as the 1940s with the birth of McDonald's the fast food trend continues unabated today, despite a modern wave of so-called "health initiatives." In spite of a slew of new diets, new exercise regimens, and even new lawsuits, statistics consistently show that the United States population - along with the populations of many developed countries - is getting fatter by the year.
Causes of the Obesity Crisis
Why is fast food so harmful? The obvious and traditional answer is because of sheer caloric excess. A recent, 15-year study showed that young people between the ages of 18 and 30 who ate at least 2 fast food meals a week were, on average, 10 pounds fatter than those who did not. It's also no secret that fast foods are soaked in oil and fat, saturated with sodium and sugars, and designed with convenience and taste, rather than nutritional value, in mind. However, can this be the only reason?
With the recent trend towards (or at least, lip service towards) healthy lifestyles with managed calorie intakes, frequent exercise, and even target nutrition, one would think that the "obesity epidemic" would be feeling the effects. Statistics, however, show otherwise. While some blame (perhaps rightly) these disappointing numbers not on fat, sugars, or calories, but on the layers of artificial additives on virtually all fast food items, others researchers have begun to look at the fast food trend as part of a larger, social change. In their eyes, modern American culture makes it all but inevitable that diets will fail, people will relapse into unhealthy habits, and the obesity rate will continue to increase.
A Different Point of View
American people today live in an environment where low cost and convenient access often take precedence over nutrition. Television and radio airwaves are replete with advertisements, and billboards are covered with fast food propaganda, but the core of the issue is the public mentality. People are much more likely to dine out than ever before. A disintegrating nuclear family tradition means less gatherings around the dinner table, at least at home. A misunderstanding of what low-carb, low-fat, or low-sodium actually means leads to people rationalizing their unhealthy diets. A steady trend towards larger portion sizes has subtly influenced people to eat more without ever realizing the difference.
And fast food companies may only be partially to blame. Though it is true that fast food restaurants are a prime source for unhealthy food, in another sense these companies are only responding to the economic demands of the American public, according to Rudolph Leibel, an obesity expert from Columbia University. If the public attitude truly changes (that is, in a way more profound than simply hiding behind sham diets, rationalized food choices, fancy catchphrases, or a salad every few days), Leibel argues, the fast food menu will change along with it.
The question, then, is - how does one go about changing one's viewpoint and lifestyle? One way is by circumventing the vicious cycle of relapse and rationalization. Instead of choosing "healthy options" off the local McDonald's menu, eating true home-cooked meals is a much better and sustainable solution. Remember - the key is not how well a diet works in the short run, it's how long you can keep it up in the long run.
For home-cooked meal recipe ideas, visit http://www.cdkitchen.com
Joseph Devine
Why You Should Eat Healthier
Every where you look you see articles or news or stories on how America is overweight. This probably doesnt surprise anyone, as you only have to take a quick look around to see that our lifestyles dont promote good health. We drive in cars. We eat fa...
Calories For Tuna
Tuna has long been heralded as a healthy food. Is this really the case? In this article, I look into the truth.As you might guess, tuna is a great type of food to eat if you are watching your weight. Being an fish protein, it contains a high amount o...
Short Occasional Fasts May Be Good
Recent research has shown that planned occasional short periods of not eating are beneficial to your health. This does not mean missing breakfast, and then eating a lot later in the day. It is a brief period of time without food and then resumption...
Organically Grown Foods And Your Health
Growing your own organic food is a good choice. Growing organic foods is better for both the environment and also healthier for our bodies. However, it is not an easy task. It is a standard known fact that the land we use to grow organic produce shou...
Eating Healthy
In today's fast paced society it's difficult for us not to stop somewhere for a fast meal or a quick refreshment. We often ignore the Nutrition Facts panel on the packaging of the food which we just purchased because most of the time we are driving a...
The Road to Healthy Travel
Maintaining a healthy diet is a snap when you're in the comfort of your own kitchen. But for many health conscious people, a short business trip or even a simple afternoon away from home can sound the health alarm. At this moment of truth, let a li...
Certified Organic Food Products
Organic certification is a process of certification for organic food producers and the producers of other organic agricultural products. Any business that is directly involved in the food production process can seek certification, and this includes t...
5 Foods That Detox The Body
The following list shows 5 foods that detox the body, flushing out toxins and improving a person's health and well being:Garlic - Garlic is a powerful detox product that not only cleans the body from the inside, but also strengthens the immune system...
Feeling The Benefits Of Healthy Eating
In the western world we are fortunate in that we can choose what we eat. With the growth of processed and fast foods this is not always a good thing. Learning the discipline of eating a more varied and natural diet can have a positive affect on all a...
Reduce Inflammation Naturally - 5 Foods That Fight Inflammation
There are many factors that cause the body to experience inflammation. Sometimes tissue damage may play a part, and sometimes infection will cause inflammation. Genetics plays a big role because illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis can be passed on th...
