Food for Thought
Did you know...
"Between 1970 and 2010, energy intake has increased by over 600 calories per day. Grain-based desserts (for example, cakes and cookies) are the highest ranking contributor to energy intake in the US population, while sodas and sports drinks provide the highest source of calories to adolescents, followed closely by pizza."
Source and more info on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report
I saw this quote in Health magazine and honestly, wasn't that surprised. But I thought it would be fun to share with you all.
My thoughts on it: While we may eat a lot more, I think we're also exercising more as a society (and therefore burning off a lot of those extra cals). Well, as a healthy blogging community anyway. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it feels like exercise has become much more mainstream and expected nowadays. I know our obesity rates are ever increasing, but I think that stems from what people are being taught at a young age.
And soda intake by kids...don't get me started. They should be drinking water or milk! I rarely drank soda as a child. We were a very low sugar intake house (no sugar cereals or little debbies lying around) so I really had no opportunity to get addicted to it. I occasionally had Root Beer during our family Friday pizza night. Now, I probably have half a soda in an entire year. I'd just rather get my high fructose corn syrup elsewhere (or nowhere actually).
So yeah, America, let's work from day 1 to make sure we're setting healthy examples for our kids by practicing what we're preaching.
And finally, those cookies and cinnamon roles are part of my life that I truly value. If I had to give up some of those baked goods, life just wouldn't be as sweet. ;) And we know I make a healthified pizza. It can be done.
What's your take on our increased calorie consumption and America's obesity epidemic? Do you do anything personally to help the cause?
I know as someone passionate about healthy lifestyles, I always try to be encouraging and non judgmental when a coworker or acquaintance inquires about a new exercise routine, general advice, healthy food options, etc. What I know from personal experience is: no one will change because you tell them to. They have to want to change first.
*I'm not a registered dietician, but am simply someone who is passionate in talking and learning about healthy living, nutrition and exercise.
"Between 1970 and 2010, energy intake has increased by over 600 calories per day. Grain-based desserts (for example, cakes and cookies) are the highest ranking contributor to energy intake in the US population, while sodas and sports drinks provide the highest source of calories to adolescents, followed closely by pizza."
Source and more info on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report
I saw this quote in Health magazine and honestly, wasn't that surprised. But I thought it would be fun to share with you all.
My thoughts on it: While we may eat a lot more, I think we're also exercising more as a society (and therefore burning off a lot of those extra cals). Well, as a healthy blogging community anyway. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it feels like exercise has become much more mainstream and expected nowadays. I know our obesity rates are ever increasing, but I think that stems from what people are being taught at a young age.
And soda intake by kids...don't get me started. They should be drinking water or milk! I rarely drank soda as a child. We were a very low sugar intake house (no sugar cereals or little debbies lying around) so I really had no opportunity to get addicted to it. I occasionally had Root Beer during our family Friday pizza night. Now, I probably have half a soda in an entire year. I'd just rather get my high fructose corn syrup elsewhere (or nowhere actually).
So yeah, America, let's work from day 1 to make sure we're setting healthy examples for our kids by practicing what we're preaching.
And finally, those cookies and cinnamon roles are part of my life that I truly value. If I had to give up some of those baked goods, life just wouldn't be as sweet. ;) And we know I make a healthified pizza. It can be done.
What's your take on our increased calorie consumption and America's obesity epidemic? Do you do anything personally to help the cause?
I know as someone passionate about healthy lifestyles, I always try to be encouraging and non judgmental when a coworker or acquaintance inquires about a new exercise routine, general advice, healthy food options, etc. What I know from personal experience is: no one will change because you tell them to. They have to want to change first.
*I'm not a registered dietician, but am simply someone who is passionate in talking and learning about healthy living, nutrition and exercise.
Comments
Other than certain friends I know very few people who exercise 3+ times a week. It's kind of sad :(
I totally agree that kids should not be drinking soda!
I get a lot of questions at work about the "weird" food I eat. I try to give people information about it and some health benefits if they ask, but hopefully in a non judgmental way.
I truly believe that processed foods play a huge role in the obesity epidemic.
I believe in everything in moderation. I don't drink much soda, but I will have the occasional can of diet coke (and I did drink coke in France because it was served in a glass bottle and tasted oh so good!). And I will have baked goods occasionally, when I make the effort to make GF ones (which isn't very often). There isn't really anything I won't let myself have. But when/if I have kids - I will def raise them as I was raised by my parents - which means very little sugar and very little processed foods.
It's very sad to see children who already have health issues as a result of how they are being raised and the foods that are put on their plates.
I think it's also tough for those who become obese to get out of it because our society looks down upon larger people and the self esteem issues and ridicule kids will give each other makes it tough to find the strength to pull yourself out of those bad habits, especially when the parental figures aren't able to provide the proper education.