60% of Americans are obese. Consequently, Americans are also more likely to suffer from certain chronic illnesses than other countries. These issues are directly linked to what we eat in America and affect millions. The American diet’s unhealthy effects are not just a current issue but they have the power to influence the future. Conditions associated with obesity are even expected to bankrupt the American healthcare system in the near future. But what makes our food so harmful?
The American food regulation system is a lot more laissez-faire than others. While the FDA has some authority over production, their regulations are based on a list of generally recognized as safe (GRA) foods. Companies that use GRAs are generally safe from litigation, and rules are loose because it is the company’s responsibility to report their ingredients as GRAs. This system has to do with America’s approach of “innocent until proven guilty” compared to European countries that take more precautions to be “better safe than sorry.”
The attitude of the government extends to that of the people. Unhealthy foods are widely popular and accepted in the U.S. However, similar to the EU, Europeans have higher standards for food health. For example after Americans began to use GMOs in the 1990s, Europeans rejected U.S. exports containing GMOs and severely damaged American profits. American food manufacturers approached this issue by creating healthier versions of their products to export to Europe.
Not only is the American diet known for its low quality, but also its large quantities and portion sizes. American companies make larger portions to attract more customers. Consumers are attracted to the idea of a good deal, (i.e) a more hearty meal (relative to price). Less healthy food options are also extremely available. “I think the convenience of some foods makes [eating healthy foods] difficult, it’s much easier to open a bag of chips or order some pizza than it is to prepare a healthy, balanced meal” said HHS sophomore Evan Keane. Sophomore Elizabeth Murray agrees that convenience is a big factor in what type of food Americans eat. When asked what she thinks makes it harder for young people to eat healthy, Elizabeth explained that “the ease of having fast food nearby and the immediate appeal of unhealthy food because of its [preferred] taste are definitely factors”.
Evan commented on how unhealthy food affects him personally, he stated “I think it does affect my energy level and mood because on days where I eat more processed foods than I should, I often feel lethargic and tired.” Unhealthy ingredients in American food like GMOs can be unsafe. For example, some chemicals that are used in American food products like bread are also used in non-food products like yoga mats and flip-flops and have been proven to increase the risk and size of tumors in animals. Convenience and abundance of unhealthy foods, as well as normalized larger portion sizes, coupled with less regulated ingredients affect all Americans. From brain function to long term health and illnesses, food can have a massive impact on our lives, however, in America it is common for profits to be prioritized over peoples’ health and safety, raising the question: does something need to change?
