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Effects Of Dependency On Today's American Diet

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Today's American diet faces an ongoing issue because it is dependent too much on fast, simple, and processed foods. The effects on Americans health and wellbeing are severe. During this essay I will focus on the causes of this dependency, the issues it causes and my possible plan for addressing the situation.
The strong dependency on quick and easily accessible processed food in America is a result of a wide range of reasons. The initial factor is the fact that preparing meals is difficult to do when the modern persons everyday life is hectic. Americans prefer quick and simple meal alternatives to satisfy their immediate needs while they juggle work, family, and other responsibilities. Fast food restaurants satisfy this desire by offering quick, ready-to-eat meals. The second factor is the increasing number of fast-food companies and their strong advertising tactics. These companies are easily accessible. They are close to homes, offices, and schools, so it's easier …show more content…

First off, these meals usually contain a lot of calories, unhealthy fats, salt, and added sugars, which are causing the rate of obesity to rise and other health problems including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The author of "Fast Food and the Double-Duty Dollar," Dr. Mary Fulkerson, stresses that "the overconsumption of fast food has been linked to poor nutrient intake and a greater risk of chronic diseases" (Fulkerson, 2010). Also, the convenience factor contributes to a decrease in food preparation skills and a lack of knowledge of what a healthy diet consists of. This keeps people in a vicious cycle in which they only eat fast food, which impairs their health and wellbeing. According to Fulkerson, "the frequent consumption of fast food may undermine the development of cooking skills, reduce the frequency of family meals, and result in less nutritious diets" (Fulkerson,

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