What sort of nutrition problem is most common in American today?

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Answer

This is a hotly debated issue among nutritional professionals and deiticians these days. Some say the number one problem with the average american diet is the gargantuan overabundance of carbohydrates in our diets, which not only leads to dangerous weight gains, but is believed to be a major contributor to diabetes, which is at epidemic proportions in the US, even among CHILDREN! Burgers, Rolls, Pizza, sodas, french fries, etc.(sound familiar?) All have a potent mixture of Carbs + Fat! And with the eliminatation of most physical labor by working adults, and a huge drop of phsical activity by children(TV, Video Games, etc.)our bodies are just not conditioned to burn off these Carbs and Calories as with past generations. Yet other dietitians exclaim that the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables(fresh or frozen)especially in children's diets, is a "pot about to boil over". The problem with this problem is that, unlike weight gain and diabetes, the long term effects of this kind of diet won't be apparent for years down the road, when it will manifest itself in high incidences of CANCER, HEART DISEASE and many other general, but serious, health problems. In my own humble opinion, it's not even a matter of which of these two issues are the worst - They both can, and will, have horrible repercussions on the health of our population now, and on our children's health in the future!! And for God's sake - if you've got children- GROW UP! Stop letting your CHILDREN make their own diet choices. That's your job as an adult and a PARENT! That's part of their future also.

Answer

well, we could blame food again. but the problem is that we havn't been taught good habits. its ok to eat at McDonalds, but consider the virtue of moderation. smaller meal sizes, as well as keeping it well balances is the most important. the real cause the the overwhelming externalization of our problems to "society" or whatever. People have been blaming everyone else, and expecting a pill to solve it for too long, the problem is with the individual not taking responsability. we dont need a pill to perpetuate poor decision making, we need mor darwin awards for those who have to be evacuated through their roof because they are too large to be carried out the door.

Answer

Going out to eat !!!! Eating ice cream, doughnuts, chips, meat, meat, meat, sweets, candy, junk food of all kinds. Lazy gutless Americans! Go to the store and buy some oatmeal, broccoli, bananas, apples, lettuce, carrots, cracked wheat, cottage cheese, cheese, potato, rice, lentils, and go to Honeyville Grain and buy a 25 lb sack of FLAXSEED and put 40 grams or more ground up in your food and watch the world come alive.... etc... and start playing around with basic simple foods. You will find a huge increase in money in your wallet and you will find that you can make home made bread and you will live healthier and longer than anyone and I mean anyone who goes out to eat instead of taking that same money and doing any one of a thousand things with it. Like send some to someone who is really hungry ! Or putting it aside for rent that is due. Or retirement or Or .... Or .... You have a brain use it ! Never ever buy or eat another pizza !!

Answer

I agree that overconsumption of pre-prepared and junk foods are the biggest nutrition problem. I think the idea of meals with small amouts of lean meants, moderate amounts of breads/starches a good helpings of veggies are not the norm for the average american. I think that a lot of that is laziness, habit, and that they never learned to cook or how to make good food choices. Hamburger Helper, frozen dinners, frozen veggie-in-sauce packets and pies made from canned "pie filling" in pre-made pie shells are not cooking. Mac and cheese doesn't come from a box, unless you count the box that pasta comes in. You make it from macaroni, cheddar, milk and pepper. Eating out isn't bad, but don't wat at McDonalds, for one thing they don't serve anything edible and for another it is terrible for you. Going out to eat is a luxury, something to pamper youself. Make it count and eat somewhere where the veggie isn't fries. But apart from all that I think the problem is both an excess of sugar and fat and artificial colours/flavours/msg/etc and a lack of vitamins/minerals and I doubt that flaxseed is the answer.

Answer

Biggest nutrition problem...obesity. 61% of Americans are overweight (using BMI as the ruler) We, Americans, contribute BILLIONS of dollars yearly trying to lose weight. The United States is now trying to put a larger emphasis on preventative care (such as nutrition) to cut back on the medical costs caused by diseases related to obesity and poor nutrition (such as some cancers, heart disease, diabetes,etc)

First answer by Robert. Last edit by Me103273. Contributor trust: 104 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 180 [recommend question]

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