Why are so many Americans completely clueless when it comes to their diet?

Question

I really don't understand it, and I'm an American myself. Americans don't know the basics of nutrition. They don't understand what Calories really are, how carbs, protein and fat make up Calories, how dangerous trans fat and high levels of sodium and saturated fats are, and how dangerous it is to eat high levels of heavily processed foods.

Why is this? Is it a lack of education? Complete apathy? Inability to resist temptation? Stubbornness? Who do we blame for this - the schools, the politicians, the corporations? It's just a complete disgrace and an embarrassment. You still have people regularly eating McDonald's double cheeseburgers with extra large fries and a milkshake, people buying STICK MARGARINE, people drinking milk and consuming other dairy products, actually thinking that they're doing their bones good, people using Kraft Mac and Cheese and Ritz crackers and white breads as their staple foods...

Just, why?

Dairy contains too high of a protein:calcium ratio to be beneficial for your bones. The excess protein that your body has to digest requires a higher amount of calcium than is available in dairy in most cases, which then leads your body to leech calcium from your bones. This is especially dangerous in women, who need less protein, and have thinner bones to men. If you look at the osteoporosis rates in nations and cultures where dairy plays a very small part of their diets, osteoporosis almost does not even exist.

Answer 1

Its about the education. If you read the Old Testament, you will see laws made by God for people .Why??
Because of their ignorance. Somebody had to teach them. For example, wash your hands before eat, don't eat pork, don't eat shell fish. It was not about their holiness, but for their health. In our case, I've heard so many people saying that the government will not allowed something bad in the market, Other people said, well I have only one life to live, I will eat whatever I like. Some people eat to live, and others live to eat.
But don't worry ,i just came back from Europe, and I found out that they have even more products with MSG, Trans fats, etc, not to mention how much they are smoking in public areas.
The reason they don't get fat yet is that the food is very expensive.LOL

Answer 2

But all that food you mention is sooooooooooo goooooooooood

What does your bones good if dairy doesn't?


Anyway:

I think a lot of it is convenience. With 2 people working in a household, both are tired after a long day and neither wants to cook - so take out, or something quick and easy like processed foods, wins out over something homemade and more nutritious. Oftentimes processed is also cheaper.

We are taught a little about nutrition in school, but nothing too in depth, so that contributes to it as well.

Answer 3

I wish I knew the answer to that question. I knew more about nutrition when I was 12 years old then most adults do today. to me it seems like there is a lack of common sense today along with a general lack of caring about health in general. only 15% of the US population gets regular exercise yet everyone knows how important it is for short and long term health, I think that pretty much says it all. Americans care more about reality TV shows and professional sports than do there own health.

Answer 4

what a good question. i always wonder the same thing. just lost like 50lbs and let me tell you its all just common sense. people KNOW what to do and not to do, what to eat etc...i knew all along what to eat and not eat and exercise.. it is just stupidity and carelessness. i mean for example i know someone who likes to eat out all of the time and cry they are fat, so my favoritething to do is take the stirofoam food container from the restaurant and open the flap open and closed pretending to make it talk saying "im so fat, why cant i lose weight" i make myself laugh every time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

You want to know what else is crazy, medical students are only required to take three hours of Nutrition credits in med. school.

just thought that was worth mentioning.