Experts have been pondering the question, "What has been fueling the obesity epidemic more--poor food choices or the availability of unhealthy foods?"
Blame it on the Junk Food
Some experts identified junk food as the prime contributor to the obesity epidemic. Almost one-third of the American diet consists of sweets, salty snacks and soda, which contain no nutritional value and are also strongly tied to unhealthy eating habits. For these reasons, certain experts believe that these types of foods should be marked with labels such as a scarlet "J" symbol.
The goal behind labeling is to incorporate several nutrition indicators into one government-sanctioned label and position it on the front of the packages. Foods then would be rated by nutrition experts according to category such as calories, poor and over-consumed nutrients and healthy nutrients that aren't being consumed enough.
Taking Away the Consumer's Responsibility
Do Consumers Really pay Attention to Labels?
In the end, it's the Consumer's Decision
Critics of the labeling system stated that putting labels on products would undermine the consumer's ability to make a wise decision on their own. Instead, they suggested educating consumers on making healthy food choices, developing nutritious eating habits and putting the responsibility back on the consumer.
ABC News July 27, 2004
In the struggle against obesity, are bad foods truly the enemy, or just bad eating habits? I've written before about the five worst foods anyone could eat, so bad that I can't understand why people would choose to eat them. Advertisers have come up with clever ways of tapping into the "junk food junkie" that lives in many of us. Unfortunately, their clever marketing ploys are working.
Just consider the following statistics:
You can stop being the target of these marketing strategies by making the decision to take individual responsibility for your own health and what you eat.
It's like the old saying, "You are what you eat," and if that means mostly junk food, you are setting yourself up for some major long-term health complications.
I realize that it takes more time and energy to follow the program detailed in my new book, Total Health Program, but doing so could:
A great alternative to junk food or unhealthy processed foods is Whey Protein with Aminogen®. This dietary supplement is a completely nutritious convenience food and an excellent option when you are pressed for time. Although whole foods are best, if you don't have time to prepare your own food and find yourself reaching for fast food or a stop at a drive thru, consider Whey Protein with Aminogen® instead.
As is the case with many people, I have very little free time. However, I prepare over 95 percent of my meals myself in order to preserve my health and not rely on unhealthy processed food. It is a commitment, but it can be done.
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Schools Peddling Junk Food to Kids
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