Americans are some of the fattest people in the world. WHY? It’s about what we’re eating, not how much!
The answer to why is fairly simple. Asia and Northern Europe are the fittest places in the world, with an overweight population of of less than 10%. In those areas, the people tend to eat whole foods (unprocessed) and live an active lifestyle. Big theory, I know; diet and exercise are the key. Well, If the answer’s so simple why can’t we (Americans) get it right?
Besides driving everywhere, one of America’s biggest problems is fast food and processed foods (those with high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, fillers, preservatives, all the other ingredients you can’t pronounce on that label). If you’re not paying attention, you’re probably eating this stuff everyday. It’s lurking in your chips, crackers, sauces, breads, cheeses and just about anything else you’re eating with more than three or four ingredients. In Michael Pollen book, ‘Omnivore’s Dilemma’ , he claims that there’s now 30,000 food products in the grocery store that contain high fructose corn syrup!
I think if we got a little more active and ate more natural foods, we could be as fit as any country. That means eating more whole foods (organic fruits & vegetables, sustainably raised meat, nuts, seeds, you know…foods found in nature!) , drinking more water and tea and moving some each day! Right now 64% of American are overweight or obese and a new study shows that if current trends continue 86% of Americans will be obese by 2030.
Americans keep importing cheap, plastic crap…maybe it’s time we imported some of the world’s lifestyle habits too.
June 9, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Loving your site. Seems like you update often so that’s good. I am adding you to my google reader! Thanks for keeping it going.
February 21, 2010 at 10:52 am
Great information – thanks and will check back soon.
April 26, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Great article!!! This one should be shouted from the rooftops. The food industry in America is a large factor in this problem. Unless you have access to locally grow produce, the stuff you buy in most supermarkets is really quite tasteless. Fruits and vegetables are picked green, shipped half way across the country (or world), and the gas ripened in the stock room of the supermarket in which they are to be sold. Most produce has more “Frequent Flyer Miles” than even some airline employees. I heard a story on NPR a few years ago that said peaches from Georgia were being shipped to Greece, and peaches grown in Greece were being shipped to Georgia. Much like our health care system is being manipulated by the pharmaceutical industry, our food industry is doing the same type of thing. Also to blame is portion size. Everywhere you look, portion size is ridiculous. Sodas big enough to swim laps in and burgers with enough meat to feed a family of four… and far to many other examples to list. It is exasperating.