Are We Becoming Healthier?

This is a great topic and good way to introduce it! I really think that Americans are tired of all the crap junk food that has been pushed down our throats (unintentional pun, but it seems to work) by the fast food chains selling substandard filler product. The rising obesity and diabetes numbers as well as antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals in consumer meat products and drinking water are a real wake up call to the general public. I think people should be free to make their own dietary choices with the caveat that the information about those choices be readily available to the public. It is not acceptable to me that the majority information on say soft drinks is the happy and hip people singing about them on TV! For many people this is the only info they get and it is brightly colored and set to music by huge companies which employ some of the most creative minds around to hid the fact that these products are not the healthy choice! I hope that we are developing better dietary habits and that those most at risk for malnutrition will have ready access to, and are able to afford, the healthier choices. Good post! I'm getting off the soapbox!

Hello Mirela!

What an excellent post!  I certainly hope that you are correct in thinking that Americans are beginning to "wise up" about their health, and the health of their children.  Honestly, how many times have we all heard a mother in a department store, or doctor's office, etc., offer their misbehaving, or crying child a "treat" if they will only behave?  In all honesty, how many times have we done this ourselves?

My husband & I, who are beginning to live life healthier and exercise and lose weight, often joke about some new treat or dessert that we see in the supermarket or on TV . . . "are 'they' TRYING to kill us with that stuff?!?"

The thing that I find so . . . shall we say . . . stupid, is that it costs so much less to eat "garbage" than it does to eat natural, healthy foods.  If I were to spend the same amount of money on fresh vegetable, fruits, whole grain rice, fish and chicken, as someone else purchasing processed, sugar-filled, bleached & "enriched", artery clogging, heart stopping, "tasty" treats, I can guarantee that my cart would have less items in it. 

However, my husband & I have found that the extra money is worth it in the long run.  We were both saying last night, after putting the groceries away, how nice it is to open our frig and see the shelves suffed with fresh vegies, fruits, and natural foods. 

I always tease my youngest son, who is 15, about never "preparing" food.  He is happiest when he can open the fridge, grab something handy, and be done with it - minimal effort.  Well, when that fridge has a piece of fruit handy, or celery sticks, baby carrots, grapes, or especially grape tomatos readily available to him, that is what he eats!  I am very blessed to have children that love fruits and vegies!

Well, 'nuff said!

It is good to be back on Active Rain since moving our office!  I am looking forward to hearing from you doll!

Nyana

p.s.: love your Meez!!!

Great post, and yes I think we are all headed back to better choices.  For the last few years I have had a garden and now my kids just about won't eat junk, they want the vegetables.

Hi Mirela,

Good food for thought...

It is our responsibility to make sure our kids have good food choices available. My husband's children had to re-adjust their eating habits when they stay with us. They had to learn because the junk food is not in the house. At first they complained, but they quickly saw results and now they make better choices. :)

Several years back I had a blood test during an annual exam and found my sugar levels were above average.  I cut out most of the soda I drank and substituted more water and juice diluted with 1/2 water.  I quickly lost several pounds and my sugar levels went down.  It was the soda! 

Get your blood tested and see what your diet is doing to you.

Great article, soda's and junk food are killing people. We went from #1 in the 50's as healthiest nation in the world to #37 in health and health care. A big problem has been the FDA which looks out for Big companies instead of it's people. I heard that McDonald's is changing the oils they use because the public is on to them. Great Post.