America’s Food Choices

The Western pattern diet is a dietary habit chosen by many people in developed countries, and increasingly in developing countries, characterized by high intakes of red meat, sugary desserts, high fat, and refined grains. An alarming new study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis reveals that Americans are getting nearly one-third of their calories from junk foods: soft drinks, sweets, desserts, alcoholic beverages, and salty snacks.

Twenty-five years ago, the average American consumed about 1,850 calories each day. Since then, our daily diet has grown by 304 calories (roughly the equivalent of two cans of soda). That's theoretically enough to add an extra 31 pounds to each person every year. Judging from the ongoing obesity epidemic, many Americans are gaining those pounds -- and then some.

And surprisingly, Americans spent almost $63 billion on diet products in 2005, an 18% increase from the $53 billion spent in 2002, reports market research group ACNielsen.

But despite our consumption of low everything, we're not slimming down. "Diet-food sales are growing, but so are our waistlines--rates of obesity in this country are increasing each year," says Dave Grotto, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, echoing.

What we’re not eating matters as well. Only 40 percent of Americans have been consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Only 30 percent meet the dietary recommendation for dairy products. Too often, Americans are both overweight and malnourished at the same time.

Lifestyle Choices and the Risk of Cancer. CancerWire via PolyMVA blog. September 6th, 2007.

Diet Appears to Influence Colon Cancer Outcomes, Allison Gandey, August 17, 2007.

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