A lot of people don't have much time to make their own food or go to a healthy…
Today, many Americans constantly worry about the effect of their eating habits on their weight and health. However, for much of the nineteenth century, most Americans were rarely concerned with the nutritional quality of their meals, and instead focused on eating as much as possible. According to Harvey Levenstein, author of Revolution at the Table: The Transformation of the American Diet, the inception of present-day eating habits has its roots in the “eating revolution,” which occurred between the 1880s and 1930s. At the turn of the twentieth century, the American middle class began to eat much more “economically and healthily,” than they had in the past. Levenstein attributes this change in food habits to both economic and social factors,…
In the essay, Escape from the Western Diet, author Michael Pollan addresses the repulsiveness and utterly unhealthy aspects of the eating habits Americans exhibit. Pollan discusses a variety of issues related to the American food culture, including how the food industry and medical community contribute to these problems. In addition, Pollan presents his personal opinions and solutions for solving the problem while encouraging healthier eating. Incorporated within Pollan’s claims throughout his essay are specific quotations and analysis from various experts regarding the Western diet. Pollan’s assertions regarding the Western diet are absolutely…
In today’s America we as citizens are faced with the ongoing crutch known as obesity. Obesity is defined as a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent of major health issues. I view obesity as a “crutch” because it is disease that will slow the American populous down. The topic on obesity has been debated over many years as to who would take the blame of America’s overweight problem and what that individual or group would do to prevent it. Many different state legislatures and school board committees have started to ban vending machines in school grounds. “Congress has considered a menu-labeling legislation that would force chain restaurants to list fat, sodium, and calories for each item” (Balko, 2004, p.522). Many individuals like me believe that this is definitely the most improper approach to preventing the obesity epidemic that has plagued the United States over the last twenty years. It is not the United State government’s place to tell American citizens what they can or cannot consume. Obesity has become more and more of a problem because American citizens are executing poor dietary techniques. The next influential factor to obesity is the influence of our biological need and genetics. These factors play a large part in the obesity epidemic but the key factor to obesity is the fact that Americans are drastically decreasing their urges for physical fitness and health. Data has…
Food is a necessity and without food we wouldn’t be able to survive. But what happens when that very essential thing we need to survive is not good for us? According to the website Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of Americans have obesity (Adult Obesity Facts). One of the major reasons causing obesity is a poor diet, what some call, the Western Diet. In Michael Pollan article “Escape from the Western Diet”, he argues that people should give up the western diet. Pollan reaffirm readers, that those who indulge in the ways of the western diet are prone to a variety of chronic diseases. The western diet, he argues, is not good and should be put to an end. As Pollan asserts, people should focus more on eating…
In “The Coking Animal”, the author, Michael Pollan, gives his opinion and observations on the American food system. Pollan links the facts that since we look for the most convenient and least time-consuming way to get food, we often intake more calories, sugar, fat, and salts, which are substances our bodies are automatically bound to like. After examining my own eating habits, I realized that these conclusions made by the author are merely accurate. When I am crunched for time, what do I usually decide to eat? The answer is simple: something fast, cheap, and appetizing. If you think about it, what is fast, cheap, and appetizing is normally not healthy, but on the contrary, food that is time-consuming to make, more expensive than fast food, and only sometimes enticing, is the type of nutrition that we, as humans need. Another point that is closely related with the food we eat is the people we eat it with. Looking at myself, I normally have meals with people. I think it is fun to go out and have lunch or dinner with friends. Usually, if I am going to spend the night with a friend, we meet up at a restaurant for dinner and then go to one or the other’s house. I personally believe that eating alone and not socializing causes one to eat more than what he or she would usually eat while spending time and socializing with another person. In conclusion, the mindset and desire of the people of America is going to have to change for the better if we want our nation as a whole to become a healthier one.…
When it comes to keeping the human body, nutrition is the most essential part of everyone’s life. If people do not have full control, it will affect the way they will be in the future. Any change to someone's diet will change their body in the long run, whether it be positive or negative. It is quite apparent, especially in America, that the common person’s nutrition has gone down hill. Since the 1980s, the rate of obesity has inflated double the amount for adults and triple for children (“Obesity” p. 1). Shockingly, America spends more on fast food than on college education, computers, software and cars combined. In fact, in 2005, Americans spent one hundred thirty four billion dollars on fast food alone. In the ‘70s, America only spent six billion (Schlosser p. 10). I am not one to blame McDonalds for the drastic rise of poor nutrition. There are obviously other reasons why. I mainly blame the misinformation and myths that the general public has been told. The reason why that people are more unhealthy now than in the past is…
It is often said that, “You are what you eat,” food is an essential provision that cannot be taken for granted. The access for food is crucial and the food people put in their body is significant. Food determines various aspect of the human body such as, body shape, production of energy and ultimately overall health. The American lifestyle is based on time, speed and efficiency; therefore the American people tend to be oblivious on what they put inside their body. Society in America, particularly poor people, are forced to live in an environment where food leads to obesity or health problems, and the rich gain more access on fresh, healthy diet with low fat and salt. American’s perspective on time has dramatically transformed the way they eat and how they eat food. Instead of viewing food as a substance to be delight in, the appreciation for food has deteriorated, in other words, food has become a “means” to an end. Food is the ultimate hot-button issue because everyone eats it and no one wants to feel guilty about what they’re eating. Food can be as sensitive a subject as religion or politics. Ultimately, as the passion and eagerness for food in America increases, it becomes difficult to bridge the gap of feeding America with healthy nutritious diet.…
Americans are heavier than ever before and, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million adults are obese, and 9 million adults are morbidly obese. Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. Obesity increases the likelihood of various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties during sleep, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. It can be caused by many reasons. One obvious reason is the rise in fast food consumption that companies are so adamant on pushing the public to buy, especially children. With fast food chains creating more and more ways to entice the American public to eat their food, it is becoming harder and harder to stay in shape these days. The fast life of America is quickly taking its toll on the public with the silent enemy called obesity creeping up at an alarming rate. In fact, the rate of it overtaking our lives is so fast; the Surgeon General has called it an "epidemic". Now, the real question is- are fast food restaurants really the culprits at work here? In this essay I intend to compare two very different takes on fast food companies and their ways of making people fat as well as my stand on the matter.…
Nearly 36% of Americans were considered clinically obese in September of 2016. Three out of every four American men are diagnosed as overweight. Americans spend the most per student's education compared to any other country, and a majority of those find themselves unemployed. As decades flash by noticeable changes have evolved; leaving Americans to be lazy and rely on technology, controlled by their status of wealth and oblivious to real world problems.…
It is quite absurd that so many American citizens still claim that the country does not have a problem with obesity, or that obesity is not a serious disease. Simply by looking back through America’s history and how people have changed over the decades, it is obvious that standards have changed, along with what is deemed as normal or average. Many people today are still unaware of how much the average American has grown and what the…
In the United States today, obesity has become an enormous problem. In the last three decades, the number of people overweight has increased dramatically. A study done by the Centers of Disease Control showed that since 1980, one third of the adult population has become overweight. America is the richest but also the fattest nation in the world and our obese backsides are the butt of jokes in every other country (Klein 28). The 1980s were a time when Americans suddenly started going crazy over dieting, jumping onto treadmills, and buying prepackaged non-fat foods. However, while all of that was going on, the number of obese Americans began to increase. According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 58 million people in our country weigh over 20 percent of their body’s ideal weight. The article “Fat Times” states, “If this were about tuberculosis, it would be called an epidemic” (Elmer-Dewit 58). The eating habits of society have steadily become more harmful and have started to produce gluttonous children, over-indulgent adults, and a food industry set too much on satisfying our appetites.…
America today is in the middle of a nutritional crisis. Throughout the country, the obesity epidemic has struck every population demographic. According to recent projections made by the United States Government, 63.9 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. That is over half of the population! What exactly is the culprit behind this crisis? How can someone fix this issue? The answers lie in the average American Diet. The diet consumed by Americans is one of, if not the worst diet in terms of saturated fat, trans fats, lack of carbohydrates, over consumption of protein, and overall malnutrition. Recommended Dietary Allowances adopted by nutritionists around the globe and countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia tell us that the American diet fails to come even close to proper nutritional consumption. However, the problem with the American diet is actually easily fixable if people start making smart, informed choices about their food. By properly educating the general public about nutrition and health, the obesity epidemic can be controlled and cured, leaving America with happier, healthier citizens.…
In her essay “Food as Thought: Resisting the Moralization of Eating,” Mary Maxfield, a famous blogger insists most won’t go for the healthy foods if we are taught to eat like the Western Diet has taught us. Maxfield states, “Trust yourself. Trust your body. Meet your needs” (446). In my point of view, Maxfield is saying we have as much facts about eating healthy as we do common sense, hinting that Americans don’t know much when it comes to healthy eating habits, food should not be seen as a negative thing. My view on the benefits of healthy eating is that you can eat what you want to, but in moderation. If you notice your pants are starting to not fit, and are sure it’s not a growth spurt then I claim there is something wrong with your diet. Meet your needs. If you are an athlete, eat like one. Today’s population does not have the best opportunity to eat healthy. Every street corner is practically filled with quick and easy fast food…
The average American lacks a healthy lifestyle, and there are three reasons why. One of the reasons is that Americans have bad eating habits. Unhealthy eating is becoming worse and worse in the American society. They would benefit and help create a better lifestyle from eating healthier. Another reason is the lack of exercise, more Americans should exercise. It would help lower the obesity level that is so high in this nation. The average American should take in 2,000 calories per day but most of them take in many more. The third reason that creates an unhealthy lifestyle for the average American is smoking and drinking. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and creates many other problems. Drinking also has many…