Food as Fuel: Reevaluating American Eating Habits

     Americans are in the midst of a food crisis.  With 4 of the 10 leading causes of death linked to diet (heart disease, stroke, diabetes 2, and some types of cancer), the eating habits of Americans are in fatal need of change.  The problem with which Americans are faced is an overwhelming abundance of convenient food choices--the culture behind eating in America is not of the mindset "what will best provide me with the nutrients my body needs," but rather, "what can I eat that is easy and satisfying to my taste buds."  If Americans began to more carefully contemplate food as optimal fuel and not a mere absolver of hunger, the less prevalent diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes would become.  

     The cells in our bodies rely on carbohydrates as a major source of vital energy.  Carbohydrates aid in breathing, muscle contraction, and circulation.  Americans predominantly consume refined carbohydrates containing added sugars that are quickly used up by the body, leaving us feeling hungry soon after we've eaten.  Because simple carbohydrate sources contain added sugars and are unable to sustain energy for long periods of time, their consumption often leads to over-eating and excessive caloric intake.
       White bread and white rice are two of the most common refined/processed grains and simple carbohydrates.  When a grain is whole, it remains intact and serves as a source of dietary fiber--fiber takes longer to be digested by the body and is slowly converted into energy that can be steadily used over a period of time.  Sources of dietary fiber are low in calories and can contribute to lower weight and lower cholesterol levels.  By opting for brown rice over white rice, whole wheat bread over white bread, and by avoiding refined grains that contain added sugars and little or no dietary fiber, Americans can significantly curb hunger and the onset of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.  Americans must alter their energy sources and replace simple carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates.  By doing so, they will achieve satiety and be less inclined to consume more calories than needed and more likely to maintain a healthy waistline.

Tip: When looking for whole grain/high fiber products, don't be fooled by claims.  Always check the Nutrition Facts Label: a product should contain 6 grams of fiber in order to be low in sugar.  Also look at the ingredients--if the word "whole" is not listed before "wheat flour," that product has undergone some amount of processing.