Based on a report by the USDA, most of us would receive failing grades if our grocery food shopping was assessed for healthiness. What's more, eating healthy at home is easier than when we're eating out. Statistics indicate almost half of Americans eat fast food while one in four dine out once a week or more.
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.
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.
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.
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.