In the 1960s and 1970s, the obesity rate in the U.S. hovered around 13%. But then, something happened in the 1980s—a shift that sent that number skyrocketing to about 22%. By 2010, we hit around 36%, and now, in the 2020s, we’ve gone past 40%, landing close to 43%. That’s almost half the population or ½ people that are now classified as either overweight or obese.
So, what happened? Did we suddenly start binge-eating? Stop exercising? The truth is, our diets have changed dramatically, especially when it comes to the quantity of food and the amount of sugar we consume.
Back in the late 1800s, the amount of sugar in one can of soda would have taken around four days to consume. Fast forward to today, and the average American drinks about 17 teaspoons of added sugar every day.
When we eat more sugar than our bodies can burn off, it gets stored as fat—specifically triglycerides, the kind that builds around our waistline and other areas. We should all know by now that obesity is a risk factor to a whole host of health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and even cancers .Why is sugar such a big deal? Why is it so bad for us?
It’s not. It is only detrimental when too much is consumed. And now, it’s everywhere. It’s cheap, and it’s addictive. It’s not just in obvious treats like cookies, candy and our venti starbucks refreshers, but also in foods you wouldn’t expect such as, cereals, protein bars, bread, yogurts, barbecue sauces, spaghetti sauces, salad dressings, ketchup and many more everyday products. These hidden sugars make it way too easy to overdo it without even knowing.
Big food companies are banking on our ignorance (literally). They load up their products with sugar because it keeps us hooked and coming back for more. They’re not in it for our health—they’re in it for profit. In addition, big food corporations pose a significant danger by shaping our eating habits indirectly dictating to us what to eat, and how much..
These companies spend hundreds of millions on marketing, pushing highly processed, sugar-laden products that are designed to be irresistible. They target kids with colorful packaging and catchy jingles, hooking them on unhealthy foods from an early age. But it’s not just the marketing; they lobby governments to keep regulations lax, allowing them to flood the market with cheap, addictive products, foods you would not find in most of Europe and other countries would abhor. They also fund studies that downplay the risks of their foods and use their influence to stifle public health campaigns that might hurt their profits. The result? A food environment where unhealthy options are everywhere, and making nutritious choices requires a constant, conscious effort. This isn’t just about personal responsibility—big food corporations have rigged the game in their favor, and the stakes are our health. We have to ask ourselves - why is there so much cancer, so much obesity, so much heart disease and diabetes. Did these illnesses just suddenly appear? No, they did not.
Start by checking labels for added sugars and choosing whole, unprocessed foods whenever you can. Our bodies are our most valuable asset, so treat them like the gifts they are. By combining mindful choices with mindful eating, we can take back total control of our health and push back against companies that aren’t looking out for you. After all, the best way to beat them is to stop buying from them.
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