Food health in America has quickly become a major concern for many people. Not only can the diet negatively affect the body physically, but also mentally. Harmful chemicals such as trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, and food dyes all impose potential health risks on Americans. America should work harder to produce healthier foods that will positively fuel the body.
When discussing a diet, it is common only to consider the physical benefits, but a diet plays a crucial role in multiple different aspects of the body.
“There are three major points that play into health such as social, mental, and physical health which all affect our ability to treat others and ourselves well,” Nutrition and Wellness teacher Nicole Lohr said. “A healthy diet helps your brain, social skills, and overall well-being.”
The convenience of fast food has only made America’s eating habits worse. Fast food is quick, cheap, and tasty, making it a favorite for many Americans. Most fast food items are high in calories and low in nutritional value. According to the FDA, foods with a daily value of more than 20% of a certain nutrient are considered high. A daily value is a recommended amount of a nutrient intake per day. For example, a McDonald’s Big Mac has a saturated fat percentage of 56% DV and a cholesterol percentage of 28% DV.
“A balanced diet should contain all six nutrients including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water,” Lohr said.
While a balanced diet should contain the six nutrients, unfortunately, most foods are filled with harmful chemicals instead. According to the World Health Organization, Trans fats are naturally occurring unsaturated fats. Large amounts of trans fats are put into highly processed foods that can clog arteries. The National Library of Medicine says that high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener made from corn starch, is commonly found in foods and increases inflammation throughout the body. The National Library of Medicine states that food dyes are carcinogenic, increasing the risk of cancers.
I believe that large corporations are to blame for the diet crisis in the US. They are cheap and efficient, allowing for large-scale production. According to Business Insider, large corporations skimp on necessary ingredients when prices go up and use cheaper additives instead. “ In a notable example, last year the food-processing giant Conagra reduced the vegetable-oil content in its Smart Balance margarine to 39% from 64%, replacing the rest with water.”
Some believe that corporations aren’t to blame but instead the people who choose to eat these foods. People say that Americans have their own free will to decide what they want to eat, and it shouldn’t be the corporations’ fault that people eat unhealthily.
While Americans do get to choose what they eat, large corporations control the food industry, shoving poor-quality foods into the public.
“As these industry giants take control of entire supply chains, from farm to table, their dominant influence extends beyond market control. They can reduce expenses, increase earnings, and destroy smaller companies thanks to this calculated approach.” Michael Greenfield wrote in his article.
Nutritious foods are often more expensive than highly processed foods at local grocery stores. Unlike ultra-processed shelf-stable items, fresh foods such as meats and produce have a limited shelf life, resulting in them needing to be replenished often. The supply and demand for fresh items increase costs for consumers.
I believe that taking care of the body needs to be prioritized as it can reduce the odds of heart disease, build stronger bones, build the immune system, and help one live longer.
“As an athlete, it’s important to fuel your body with the right stuff because that’s how you reach your ultimate peak performance,” gymnast Sydney Mullen said. “I actually had a nutritionist last year after I had surgery and it definitely sped up my recovery process.”
According to the National Library of Medicine, 74% of adults in the United States are overweight, and 43% of those adults in the US are considered obese.
The National Library of Medicine states that Americans’ diet significantly contributes to the development of obesity, diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular disease, which are all major concerns for the American people. According to the CDC, Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 695,000 deaths in 2021 alone. Heart disease is commonly caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and ultimately, what people choose to eat.
It’s time large corporations and fast food chains stop dominating the food industry by producing harmful and poor quality foods. It’s important that people put more thought into what they choose to eat because it will set the body up for success and longevity.
