Nearly 60% of the U.S. diet is comprised of ultra-processed foods. They are loaded with refined grains, calories, sodium (salt), sugar and saturated fat.
Unfortunately, consumers choose these foods over nutritionally healthier alternatives according to a new study conducted by Zogby Analytics on behalf of Research!America and the American Hear Association. This is despite the fact that 68% recognize healthy
eating habits are important for improving a person’s chance for a long and healthy life.
U.S. consumers say there are two reasons they don’t choose nutritious foods: affordability and accessibility. 53% of US consumers believe the US is not making enough progress in making nutritious
foods more accessible and affordable.
But there is another factor to consider: overeating. Too many Americans consume more food than their bodies need, often unconsciously. In his New York Times Bestseller, The End of Overeating, David
Kessler describes how the American food industry is constructed to profit from the science behind high-caloric food and the brain’s reward systems that has led to an epidemic of overeating. In the past hundred years, however, the commercialization of the food industry and the outsourcing of home cooked meals to
restaurants has dramatically increased the weight of the average American. Food has become more accessible and cheaper by incorporating cheap sugar and fat.
“Fat-on-sugar-on-fat-on-salt-on-fat combinations generate multiple sensory effects, which is just what the industry wants,” Dr. Kessler adds. High-calorie foods look, feel and taste good because they tap
into our carnal desires to seek pleasure, just like sex or drugs.
These foods target areas of our brain that keep us wanting more, even after our stomachs are full. Extremely sweet or fatty foods captivate the brain’s reward circuit in much the same way that drugs, alcohol, and gambling do. So, we seek out more, even with healthy choices readily available.
There are ways you can reduce your cravings for salt, sugar, and fat, but in practical terms the best remedy is to not bring fatty, super sweet foods into the house at all. While exercise, sleep and stress
reduction can all help, eating nutritionally balanced meals is your best option.
Food styling and Photo by Sarah Phillips @FutureofFoodisNow
