Argument of American Food May Not Be Bad for Health - Essay Example

Argument of American Food May Not Be Bad For Health Introduction World over, American foods are viewed as those foods that may be packaged or preserved in containers, having a shelf life and a small period of durability. Most people, when they think about American food, talk about the fast food culture. This includes fatty foods that are made in a large amoutn of oil, may be fried and thus add to cholestrol in the body. People feel that American food tends to give problems like obesity and heart diseases. However, most fail to see another aspect of American food altogether. There are a large number of foods that are native to the Americas which are very healthy and have a very high nutirtional value. They can also help people diet in a proper manner and assist in loss of weight, while keeping fit. Thesis: American ‘super foods’ as well as a large number of fruits and vegetables that are produced in America are really good for health and can actually help people in their fitness regimes and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Discussions Day by day, more and more Americans are becoming conscious about their health and dietary habits. They are taking to nutrition because of the rampant obesity world over, especially in America, because of the junk food culture. Even though a large number of people still have poor eating habits and have taken to consuming junk food or fast food on a daily basis, there are people spreading awareness regarding the importance of proper living. Magazines, newspapers, tv shows, the radio, as well as many contemporary films and books being made and written in the US have been promoting healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, with the help of American foods itself. Moreover, eating junk food is not all that bad if consumed in a controlled manner. Many American parents have begun to lay emphasis on ensuring that their children receive a healthy diet. Schools in the country have also begun to advocate healthy foods and salads as part of their mess or cafeterias and have begun to rule out the use of soft drinks and fast foods in order to help students understand that a high nutritional value is much more important than consuming something that might seem tasty but consists of a high number of calroies. With respect to fruits and vegetables, there are foods like blueberries, pumpkin seeds, avocados, sweet potatoes etc that are produced in America in high quantities. (Mitzweich, John) These foods are very rich in nutritions and assist people in overral development of their bodies. Moreover, salmon is produced in the country and sold to very many households as well; salmon contains a very high amoutn of protein. Other foods like cod liver oil and fish also contain a high amoutn of protein and are consumed by Americans on a regular basis. Many Americans are also taking to vegetarianism these days with more awareness being spread regarding living a healthy lifestyle. People have been emulating the East with respect to their eating habits; they have given up on eating meat, both white and red, to a large extent, which has led to the cut down of a large number of calories. (Feature, Jeanie Lerche Davis) The US Department of Agriculture has been emphasing a great deal on spreading awareness on how to decrease the risk of people suffering from heart diseases and obesity due to the consumption of ill foods or foods that pose a risk to one’s health. (FDA.gov Homepage) Dietary Guidelines have been laid down by the department according to which American citizens are constantly reminded and urged to not consume more than a requisite number of calories per day so that they can be more physically active and get more producitve work done. Moreover, by this, people will also begin to make wiser choices regarding foods and their eating habits, thereby enabling them to live a better lifestyle. The fast food culture in America is slowly dying down and making way for a life where people have taken to eating fruits and vegetables. Moreover, people are more concerned about their bodies and fitness levels now and are taking to eating foods like oatmeal, porridges, conrflakes and milk, kinds of fish, as well as green veegtables as part of their daily diet. Soft drinks and sodas have been replaced by juices and shakes that are healthier. People do not mind spending some more money on purchasing green foods as compared to risking their health with junk food. The concept of eating out and take away food although hyped a great deal in America, now has also come to a slow decline with more and more people becomign conscious about their eating habits. (Food & Fitness) American foods have the ability to heal the individual’s health in the best fashion possible. Even though some people might have criticized the way the junk food system works, the point is that it has worked for those who really can afford it and are in need for healthy food. The fast food system allows for faster foods at lesser time, which thus allows people the energy to do quick acts without wasting any precious time or energy, Therefore, in this fashion the fast foods are indeed a great mechanism to improve the health of the society. It is imperative to note that the American food chain supply has strong machinery prevalent to its system. Let us look at the examples of mutton steak and analyze how they compare to the rest of the foods supplied to the people in other countries. Mutton and Chicken Steak are both extremely handy for those who have the habit of putting in long hours of work in their profession. For those people who’s life depends on doing extremely insane amounts of physical labor, adding to the crazy routine they have with respect to their work, it is imperative to note that they need to be supplied with heavy amount of protein in order to garner enough energy to do 14 hours of manual and physical labor on a routine basis. It is therefore crucial that the people are supplied with the right kinds of foods for them to attain the appropriate levels of energy for their work. Another crucial support system, which handles the economy of the US, is the intelligence of the people. It is imperative to note that the people have to be supplied with the foods, which do not lower their levels of intelligence from what it already is. The crucial aspect to be understood here is that the food, which is supplied to the basic worker at the office levels in the USA, is high on those parts, which affect the intelligence of people in a positive manner. The usual diet of an American consists of extremely health intake of foods. We have been able to understand the fact that obesity does not arise out of eating wrong food or a lot of junk food, but due to the fact that people usually do not exercise much in order to burn their fats. The crucial thing for the people therefore in the USA is to burn their fats on a regular basis so that they are able to remain fitter for a longer period of time. Primarily speaking, we have to be able to realize that it is imperative for to work on their exercise. Although the fast foods are bad for health, lack of physical exercises is the cause of poor health and increased diseases across the state. The great deal of research reveals that people have unrealistically optimistic and skewed prospects towards a healthy lifestyle (Sato 23). Living a healthy lifestyle is not only by consuming balanced diet, but also practicing physical exercise is crucial. Many tend to forget that physical exercise or activities are crucial for the health living. Thus, there is need to educate people on the significant health living through increasing physical exercise in order to regulate body weight. Schlosser (32) argues that physical exercise is significant or maintaining the physical fitness is vital. This is because it can maintain a healthy weight, building strong muscles and health bone density. Therefore, there is need for public health care providers to raise awareness or educate the community to increase physical exercise levels. This can be done through employing effective intervention programs and carrying out campaigning programs in order to address the issue of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In conclusion, although poor eating habits is the cause for poor health, the increased American fast food production industries are the major cause for increased health related diseases in America. Many arguments have been raised on the bad health risk arising due to bad food consumption. One of the arguments is the increases consumption level of junk food from fast food production industries. This contributes to health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and other diet related diseases. The increased fast food industries in American have significantly changed the eating habits and lifestyles of many Americans. Poor eating habits have been also among of the major reasons for increased health related diseases and health complications across the globe. Though the fast foods are bad for health, lack of physical exercises is the cause of poor health and increased diseases across the state. Although the fast foods are bad for health, lack of physical exercises is the cause of poor health and increased diseases across the state; thus, there is need for educating the public about living a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle is characterized by a lifestyle of good American food and a nice regime of exercise. People have to realize that they have to work on that, and the fact that eating foods makes you un healthy is a wrong argument to make. Work Cited "Food & Fitness." Making Healthy Food Choices. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. Feature, Jeanie Lerche DavisWebMD. "Top Heart-Healthy Foods: Best Foods for Cardiovascular Health." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. Mitzweich, John. "Five Native American "Super Foods" for Better Health and Delicious Dining." About.com American Food. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. "FDA.gov Homepage." U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2013. Read More