| I used to be one of those people who did not like | | | | pleasantly fulfilled when you finish a meal, and then |
| to go to the higher end, gourmet or "healthy" | | | | about twenty minutes to a half hour later you |
| restaurants. It wasn't because I didn't like the | | | | feel ridiculously stuffed. |
| food, or that the atmosphere was not to my | | | | Ask for a box to take the rest home. This way, |
| liking, it was because they served, in what had | | | | you will also not regret eating that big meal, and |
| become my Americanized idea of meal size, | | | | also will not be dealing with the effects of |
| "skimpy portions". | | | | overeating, like sleepiness, mental fogginess, |
| However, the older I got, and the more educated | | | | indigestion, gas pains, and cramping. It's a win/win |
| I became on nutrition and healthy eating, I realized | | | | situation. |
| that these gourmet restaurants had it all right. | | | | The increasing obesity epidemic has gotten so out |
| Instead of focusing on quantity, they focused | | | | of control that we now have gastric bypass |
| more on quality, and limited the portions on the | | | | surgery, which thousand of obese Americans |
| plate to what was actually a healthy, moderate | | | | elect to have each year, even though the surgery |
| calorie count. | | | | is extremely serious and many times life |
| The American ideal of "the bigger the better" | | | | threatening. This is in direct response to a culture |
| spilled over into our food consumption and portion | | | | that grew up being under educated about portion |
| rationing at meals not too long ago actually. After | | | | control and wise food choices. |
| the great depression era, when Americans | | | | Many individuals in the baby boom era were not |
| started to regain control over their finances, and | | | | educated to the extent we are today about |
| foods and luxury items became more affordable, | | | | nutrition, how certain fats protect organs and well |
| our portion sizes began to expand. Obesity still | | | | being, and others aid in their destruction, the |
| existed before this point, but since then it has | | | | effects of sugars on the body, and the effects |
| spun out of control. | | | | of excess calorie consumption. |
| Obesity has also taken a turn for the worse | | | | Most health professionals are hoping that the |
| because not only are the portion sizes getting | | | | improved health and nutrition education available to |
| bigger, but the foods we eat are higher in fat, | | | | the general public today will eventually whittle |
| sodium and sugars, a result of excessive | | | | away at the obesity epidemic by making |
| processing and chemical additives, which build up in | | | | generation after generation more educated and |
| our system and cause obesity, diabetes, heart | | | | armed with the knowledge they need to lead a |
| disease, mood disorders and countless other | | | | healthy lifestyle. |
| health issues which stem from excess weight. | | | | So, what will happen in the future regarding health |
| In fact, chefs from some of the most popular | | | | awareness and education? It's been in the news |
| American restaurants were recently surveyed, | | | | lately that the government is actually stepping in |
| and reported that calorie count was the least of | | | | as a proactive measure against further obesity |
| their concerns when they created signature dishes | | | | and health issues. Government officials recently |
| for the restaurants they worked for. | | | | tried to ban trans fats from being used in |
| About one in six said that they even considered | | | | restaurant cooking. |
| the calorie count aspect. They based their | | | | The NFL also has stepped in to band against |
| creations on flavor instead, casting aside portion | | | | childhood obesity by educating youths in schools |
| size and fat content, etc., all of which add to the | | | | about exercise and proper diet, and are also |
| calorie count of a meal. | | | | campaigning for reform in the public school's |
| What can you do to avoid overeating if you | | | | physical education classes, since it was found that |
| frequent restaurants? Make sure you fill up on the | | | | "gym class" typically involves less than 20 minutes |
| salad, and get a low fat dressing, which can cut | | | | of actual physical activity. |
| up to 100 calories from your meal many times. | | | | With all of these changes going on, and a growing |
| Unless you are going to a health food restaurant, | | | | awareness in the American public about nutrition, |
| or one that you know serves smaller, more | | | | portion control, calorie consumption and healthy |
| controlled portions, you probably should not be | | | | food choices, one can only be optimistic about the |
| finishing your meal. Take your time eating. Do not | | | | future health of America. |
| inhale your food. | | | | Can we eliminate obesity all together? Of course |
| Did you know that it takes your mind about 20 | | | | not, but if we can put a big dent in it, this will be |
| minutes to reigster that you are full? This is why | | | | hug victory in our collective health, longevity and |
| many times you will feel just "satisfied" and | | | | prosperity. |