First of all I just want to say that I totally agree with everyone. It is really a shame when you see families around the grocery store pushing carts overflowing with junk. Now don't get me wrong I'll admit that I'll go and buy the occasional junk item or two but that's usually where I draw the line. Whenever I go to the store I notice all the junk food that I'm sure I would love but I tend to simply not buy it because I know if I have it I will eat it. I'd rather not have the temptation in the house. That's just what I do, then again I don't have any children begging me for the newest sugary cereal or snack that they see on TV.
There are a number of issues that face America today which contribute to our junk food habits.
The first thing is price. Have you ever noticed that some of the most unhealthy foods are usually the cheapest?? Can you say fast food value meals?? Unfortunately a lot of the healthier organic options that are available end up costing more than their over processed counterparts. Especially in today's economy cheaper and faster will more often than not win out and unfortunately cheaper and faster does not always mean better or healthier.
I agree with susanc as far as my next issue...laziness. It takes work to actually prepare healthy meals instead of relying on ready-made boxed meals. Unfortunately nowadays everyone always says how cramped for time they are. Who has time to cook a meal with 3 or 4 items after a long day at the office? Many of us will simply turn to these prepackaged meals in order to get the quick fix. That's America for you. The land of instant gratification.
The third and final issue that I feel that we face in the battle of the bulge is that of portion size. Our portions are out of control. I've talked with a number of people from various countries around the world and they all say roughly the same thing when they go out to eat here in America, our portions are almost twice the size of what is served in other countries. Moderation has little place in today's world. Junk food like Rosa mentioned earlier is ok when consumed in moderation (I know it's still not the best option but that's not my point here). What I'm trying to say is that a diet that is full of this kind of useless junk is why America is in the midst of an obesity epidemic. I personally think it's ok to have a little treat every once in a while but it's the point when you are having these things with EVERY meal and even between meals or even as meals that we begin to spiral out of control. A trip to the local McDonald's isn't even dietary doom when it's not done on a regular basis. It's when we find ourselves going to these types of places for every meal that we get in trouble.
I think that America has to stand up and actually make some changes in our daily lives in order to come out ahead and win the battle against obesity. If not for ourselves than as this article points out, for our children.
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First of all I just want to say that I totally agree with everyone. It is really a shame when you see families around the grocery store pushing carts overflowing with junk. Now don't get me wrong I'll admit that I'll go and buy the occasional junk item or two but that's usually where I draw the line. Whenever I go to the store I notice all the junk food that I'm sure I would love but I tend to simply not buy it because I know if I have it I will eat it. I'd rather not have the temptation in the house. That's just what I do, then again I don't have any children begging me for the newest sugary cereal or snack that they see on TV.
There are a number of issues that face America today which contribute to our junk food habits.
The first thing is price. Have you ever noticed that some of the most unhealthy foods are usually the cheapest?? Can you say fast food value meals?? Unfortunately a lot of the healthier organic options that are available end up costing more than their over processed counterparts. Especially in today's economy cheaper and faster will more often than not win out and unfortunately cheaper and faster does not always mean better or healthier.
I agree with susanc as far as my next issue...laziness. It takes work to actually prepare healthy meals instead of relying on ready-made boxed meals. Unfortunately nowadays everyone always says how cramped for time they are. Who has time to cook a meal with 3 or 4 items after a long day at the office? Many of us will simply turn to these prepackaged meals in order to get the quick fix. That's America for you. The land of instant gratification.
The third and final issue that I feel that we face in the battle of the bulge is that of portion size. Our portions are out of control. I've talked with a number of people from various countries around the world and they all say roughly the same thing when they go out to eat here in America, our portions are almost twice the size of what is served in other countries. Moderation has little place in today's world. Junk food like Rosa mentioned earlier is ok when consumed in moderation (I know it's still not the best option but that's not my point here). What I'm trying to say is that a diet that is full of this kind of useless junk is why America is in the midst of an obesity epidemic. I personally think it's ok to have a little treat every once in a while but it's the point when you are having these things with EVERY meal and even between meals or even as meals that we begin to spiral out of control. A trip to the local McDonald's isn't even dietary doom when it's not done on a regular basis. It's when we find ourselves going to these types of places for every meal that we get in trouble.
I think that America has to stand up and actually make some changes in our daily lives in order to come out ahead and win the battle against obesity. If not for ourselves than as this article points out, for our children.
July 29, 2009 - 5:07pmThis Comment
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