The Biggest Problems In the Average American's Daily Diet

There are many problems with the way in which Americans provide nutrition for their bodies, and their eating habits are a major influence on the declining health and vitality of many individuals in the nation. The American diet is seen as the catalysts for the rise in the number of cases of many of our present-day diseases, as well as the alarming rate of these diseases affecting young children. Without a major change in our dietary habits, new cases of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and other maladies will continue to rise within our population.

One of the biggest problems in the average American's diet is the number of calories consumed, which usually are far more than those needed by the average individual. It is highly recommended that most individuals would need approximately 2000 cal a day to maintain health and wellness, but many Americans consume 4000 or more calories a day. The increased consumption of calories, coupled with a reduced rate of burning calories, will eventually result in obesity and other health problems. Although excess calorie consumption is a strong contributor to obesity and other health related ailments, this is only one of the factors that is affecting the average American, due to bad dietary habits.

Excess sodium intake is also a major factor in contributing to the declining health of many Americans. Many foods naturally have enough sodium within them to maintain the health of the individual that is consuming them, but many individuals choose to add additional salt for taste purposes. Additional sodium can be a great contributor to incidences of hypertension, which can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. America's dependence on fast food is one of the major contributors of the excess sodium that is contained within many diets. Fast food items such as french fries and hamburgers, have large amounts of salt added to them, which wreaks havoc on the health and well-being of the consumer.

Another major dietary problem that Americans face, is the high level consumption of saturated fats. Saturated fats are very dangerous for many individuals, when consumed in high quantities. Saturated fats can be stored in the body as excess fat, which in of itself is very detrimental to the overall health of an individual, and can contribute to a number of ill health effects such as heart attacks. One of the most dangerous effects of the high consumption of saturated fats, is the clogging of the arteries, which will eventually lead to heart attacks and strokes in a great deal of individuals. The high consumption of fatty red meats and fast foods, contributes greatly to high amounts of fats found within the typical American diet.

Another major problem in the average American diet, is the lack of green leafy vegetables and fruits. Many Americans have very little fruit and vegetables within their daily diet, which leaves them lacking heavily in a variety of vitamins and minerals that are needed by the body. In addition to this vitamin and mineral deficiency, there is a lack of much-needed roughage that these vegetables and fruits provide, which helps to clean the digestive system, which will help to prevent incidents of colon cancer etc. in addition, fruits and vegetables provide fiber which is helpful in cleaning the arteries of an individual.