In our Western diet and lifestyle, an abundance of unhealthy fats, carbohydrates, and proteins are devoured while our consumption of fruits, vegetables and grains are minimal at best. This pattern of food consumption reflects changes that are happening all over the world. These are just some of the components of the Western lifestyle that play a role in the diseases that now kill 70% of Americans and an increasing percentage of people around the world. It’s no big surprise that cardiovascular disease tops the list.
The United States leads the way with consumption excesses and has a reputation for doing things in a big way—and food is no exception. When visitors come to the United States, many are amazed at the serving sizes—from movie popcorn and soda sizes, to “supersize” portions, etc. In most countries a large drink is equal to America’s “small” or regular-sized 12-oz. drink. By America’s standards, a large drink is 32 oz. Did you realize a normal 32 oz size cola has 65g of sugar, 69g of carbs and 39g of sodium and about 267 calories and no nutritional value at all.
All-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink offers in restaurants further add to the demise, and so do the fast food chains who constantly try to outdo each other to generate bigger sales from their “bigger” products which add bigger calories, unhealthy fat content, as well as bigger bellies. In fact, an extra 200 calories of food daily can translate into a weight gain of 20 pounds over a year.
Is it really worth it to “super size” your food and drinks or would you prefer to “super size” your life and eat healthy, normal portions and live longer?
What areas of your diet/lifestyle can you change so they’re not so “super sized” and are healthier for you?