YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

An old cliche but truth right on. It only makes sense that because of our poor nutritional status we have become an increasingly sicker population. Living much longer partly due to the increased knowledge and technology of medical science, however, suffering from so many more illnesses than ever before. Why do I say this?

Well since the inception of the fast food market. There has been an increase in the number of people. Adults, and children that have been diagnosed with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease just to name a few. How you might ask does one thing have to do with the other? According to a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the study compared food at 10 fast food restaurants: Arby’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Dairy Queen, Hardees, Jack in the Box, KFC, Long John Silvers, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s. The study looked at the restaurants’ food in 1986, 1991, and 2016. Researchers found that, on average, the calorie content of entrees went up by 30 calories a decade, while the calorie content of desserts went up by 62 calories a decade. Menu items also had a major increase in sodium content, about a 4.6% daily value increase per decade for entrees, the study said. Meagan McCoy the study’s lead investigator said in a statement despite the vast number of choices offered at fast food restaurants, some of which are healthier than others, the calories, portion sizes, and sodium content overall have worsened (increased) over time and remain high.

The study further states, Given the popularity of fast food our study highlights one of the changes in our food environment that is likely part of the reason for the increase in obesity and related chronic conditions over the past several decades, which are now among the main causes of death in the U.S. The study’s authors say they chose to study fast food, in part, because Americans consume so much of it. Additionally, about 40% of American adults between 20 to 74 are obese, compared to about 15% of that age group between 1960 and 1962. Fast food accounted for about 11% of daily caloric intake in the U.S. between 2007 and 2010, and about 37% of us adults consume fast food on a given day.

So it stands to reason we are What we eat! You might ask what is a more healthy alternative? Follow the blog for suggestions next time.