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.
There are many reasons for this. Perhaps the most important driver has been busy schedules leading consumers to search out convenient meals ranging from takeout to processed foods. What is a processed food? It is the opposite of a whole food, meaning anything that comes in a separate package with an ingredient label. Some aren't all that bad, it depends on the actual ingredients, however, many processed foods are filled with salt, sugar, fat, preservatives, and other harmful chemical concoctions that are foreign to the human body, or at least they should be. One doesn't have to look long to see a dramatic increase in so many serious illnesses.
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.
Why are these chemicals in our food supply to begin with? Despite the mainstream belief that the FDA oversees the approval of chemicals that go into our food supply, nothing could be farther from the truth. Chemical companies approve their own chemicals with the FDA having virtually zero legal ability to limit the use of any food additive. These companies do not even need to inform the FDA that new ingredients have been brought to market. It is a ludicrous process.
Given the lack of research surrounding long-term risks, avoiding foods created by a scientist is probably the best way to go. I prefer to eat only organic, whole foods. I choose not to poison myself. I don't know why so many other Americans choose to do so. Perhaps it is a lack of knowledge or a focus on short-term pleasure rather than pain. I don't know the answer, but I do know we need to be more aware of the chemicals in our food. We also should do our own homework and not blindly accept the next food craze or superfood as gospel when the companies telling us about them are the ones that profit from them.
In order to understand what you're putting into your body, you need to learn to read food ingredient labels. If you can't understand the words or the list is too long, it's probably not good for you. The best approach to healthy eating and eliminating dangerous toxins from your diet is to eat organic, whole foods, lean poultry, meat, and fish, as well as healthy fats.
There are many reasons for this. Perhaps the most important driver has been busy schedules leading consumers to search out convenient meals ranging from takeout to processed foods. What is a processed food? It is the opposite of a whole food, meaning anything that comes in a separate package with an ingredient label. Some aren't all that bad, it depends on the actual ingredients, however, many processed foods are filled with salt, sugar, fat, preservatives, and other harmful chemical concoctions that are foreign to the human body, or at least they should be. One doesn't have to look long to see a dramatic increase in so many serious illnesses.
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.
Why are these chemicals in our food supply to begin with? Despite the mainstream belief that the FDA oversees the approval of chemicals that go into our food supply, nothing could be farther from the truth. Chemical companies approve their own chemicals with the FDA having virtually zero legal ability to limit the use of any food additive. These companies do not even need to inform the FDA that new ingredients have been brought to market. It is a ludicrous process.
Given the lack of research surrounding long-term risks, avoiding foods created by a scientist is probably the best way to go. I prefer to eat only organic, whole foods. I choose not to poison myself. I don't know why so many other Americans choose to do so. Perhaps it is a lack of knowledge or a focus on short-term pleasure rather than pain. I don't know the answer, but I do know we need to be more aware of the chemicals in our food. We also should do our own homework and not blindly accept the next food craze or superfood as gospel when the companies telling us about them are the ones that profit from them.
In order to understand what you're putting into your body, you need to learn to read food ingredient labels. If you can't understand the words or the list is too long, it's probably not good for you. The best approach to healthy eating and eliminating dangerous toxins from your diet is to eat organic, whole foods, lean poultry, meat, and fish, as well as healthy fats.
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Please check out an article on a similar topic: Why Are Artificial Sweeteners Bad For Me
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