Americans received a failing grade from the USDA based on the healthiness of our eating habits at home. Even more unfortunate than that is the fact that it is more difficult to eat well when dining out, and nearly half of Americans frequent fast-food chains and a quarter of us eat outside the home at least once a week, according to a variety of research.
So why is this? Well, convenience and affordability have driven a huge increase in the consumption of processed foods. Any food that has a label and comes in a bag, box, can, or jar is considered processed. Some products are minimally processed and contain only a handful of ingredients (like canned or frozen vegetables), whereas others are pumped full of sugar, saturated fat, sodium, and dangerous chemicals in quantities that our bodies just cannot handle without major health issues arising. Just look at the massive increases we've seen in diabetes and obesity over the past few decades.
There are many problems with processed foods, particularly those that are high in saturated fat, sodium, sugar or artificial sweeteners and flavors, and preservatives. They are not only unhealthy, but can be addicting as well. Some of the artificial ingredients can be so potent that our brains begin to crave them. Unhealthy and addicting is a poor combination as far as our health is concerned. Some of the most abundantly used food additives cause or are linked to serious medical conditions like autism and diabetes, and can impact brain and reproductive health.
How did this happen? How are these dangerous chemicals in our food supply? While the public appears to believe that the FDA has significant power over food additives similar to the pharmaceutical industry, it is an unfortunate mistake. The FDA actually has very little legal authority over chemical companies, who basically approve their own additives and chemicals, and are not even required to notify the FDA when new ingredients are being added to food products. It is a broken system.
As much as technology has evolved over the past few decades, I'm likely to remain old fashioned when it comes to my food. I want whole foods grown on a farm not in a beaker. The risks related to processed foods and the current food additive approval process should be an eye opener to everyone. I'm not sure why Americans continue to poison themselves. Is the truth too hidden? Are we too busy to find out or put in the extra time to make a clean, healthy meal? I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know that we need to pay closer attention to the food supply and the dangerous chemicals being added to it every day. The corporations will continue to make hefty profits from these additives and processed foods for as long as we allow them to. We have to stop making poor choices.
It is imperative that you read food ingredient labels and understand what's in your food. Ideally, a diet consisting of organic whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats is the healthiest approach to eating and avoiding dangerous chemicals and future illnesses and other health conditions.
So why is this? Well, convenience and affordability have driven a huge increase in the consumption of processed foods. Any food that has a label and comes in a bag, box, can, or jar is considered processed. Some products are minimally processed and contain only a handful of ingredients (like canned or frozen vegetables), whereas others are pumped full of sugar, saturated fat, sodium, and dangerous chemicals in quantities that our bodies just cannot handle without major health issues arising. Just look at the massive increases we've seen in diabetes and obesity over the past few decades.
There are many problems with processed foods, particularly those that are high in saturated fat, sodium, sugar or artificial sweeteners and flavors, and preservatives. They are not only unhealthy, but can be addicting as well. Some of the artificial ingredients can be so potent that our brains begin to crave them. Unhealthy and addicting is a poor combination as far as our health is concerned. Some of the most abundantly used food additives cause or are linked to serious medical conditions like autism and diabetes, and can impact brain and reproductive health.
How did this happen? How are these dangerous chemicals in our food supply? While the public appears to believe that the FDA has significant power over food additives similar to the pharmaceutical industry, it is an unfortunate mistake. The FDA actually has very little legal authority over chemical companies, who basically approve their own additives and chemicals, and are not even required to notify the FDA when new ingredients are being added to food products. It is a broken system.
As much as technology has evolved over the past few decades, I'm likely to remain old fashioned when it comes to my food. I want whole foods grown on a farm not in a beaker. The risks related to processed foods and the current food additive approval process should be an eye opener to everyone. I'm not sure why Americans continue to poison themselves. Is the truth too hidden? Are we too busy to find out or put in the extra time to make a clean, healthy meal? I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know that we need to pay closer attention to the food supply and the dangerous chemicals being added to it every day. The corporations will continue to make hefty profits from these additives and processed foods for as long as we allow them to. We have to stop making poor choices.
It is imperative that you read food ingredient labels and understand what's in your food. Ideally, a diet consisting of organic whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats is the healthiest approach to eating and avoiding dangerous chemicals and future illnesses and other health conditions.
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