Arguably, the human diet is like the financial market- always changing and always being debated. An array of media outlets tell people everyday what to eat, how to eat it and when to stop and start. America especially has placed itself on automatic pilot when it comes to food. Unfortunately, giving into the American stereotype of laziness, most people do not want to have to think about what they should and should not eat. They are bogged down by work, family and other commitments that require enough of their decision making and thought process.
According to a study conducted by CBS News titled, “Where America Stands,” many food practices have changed throughout the years.
- 33 percent of CBS viewers said the TV was always on when they were eating dinner with their family.
- 54 percent of Americans will eat until their plate is clean. Consequently, portion sizes and calorie counts have increased since 1977. An example: A regular portion of French fries has increased by 68 calories than what it used to be.
- By age 14, 32 percent of teenage girls and 52 percent of teenage boys are consuming three or more eight ounce carbonated, sugary soda beverages a day.
- Average calorie intake of women in 1971: 1,542 calories. In 2000: 1,877.
- Average calorie intake of men in 1971: 2,450. In 2000: 2,618.
America likes easy and quick. Take a look at the way the country consumes media. If the message is not delivered in 30 seconds or less, they move on. Almost the same approach is taken when it comes to food and eating. Unlike the 1950s’ perfect household stereotype of the father coming home from work to his wife’s cooking, the average family sitting down to a home cooked meal is dwindling. People are squeezing in their meals whenever and wherever they can.
Not only is America consuming food faster, they are consuming a lower quality of food faster. In an attempt to make food more affordable, the Farm Bill of 2008, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act, tried to wipe out some of the bad consequences previous Farm Bills in its place had started. Earlier versions basically attempted to lower the cost of the production of farm raised cattle. Cattle were turned into subsidies. They began being fed grass because it was cheaper and more prevalent. They were injected with growth hormones to speed up the process of them being slaughtered for meat. Again, the process is fast and shoddy.
This Dipity timeline displays a history of food in the world. It marks the extremities people have gone to in the name of food. It also highlights when America began to first steer off track from the healthy eating that the first colonists implemented when they formulated this nation.
Quinnipiac University Biology Professor Kristen Richardson and New Haven natural food chef Tagan Engel discuss our nation’s discourse off the track of healthy eating and how we have become muddled by preservatives, additives and unnecessary excess.
Chef Tagan Engel recently worked for a year and a half on a local cookbook. Here she tells us what went into to making the book and how it emphasizes healthy, local eating.
Eating clean and sustainable also translates into other aspect’s of one’s life. The door is not closed at just healthy eating. Many options and alternatives are out there for people who want to make more than just their diet healthy and sustainable. In a world where time is sacred and natural resources are timed wonders that have irrevocable expiration dates, now more than ever it is important to reduce the carbon footprint of the human race. Quinnipiac Biology professor Kristen Richardson is one of the committee leaders of Quinnipiac University’s Earth Day. This year, the university celebrated Earth Day Thursday April 22 in one of their campus halls. Richardson describes the event.
