Skip to main content

A Fast Food Diet

Could it be true? Are Americans dieting from fast food? A report from the Centers for Disease Control has my hopes up. Their study showed a reduction in Adult caloric intake from fast food. It shows that the average percentage of adults consuming fast foods went from 12.8% (from 2003 to 2006) to a thinner 11.3% (in years 2007 through 2010).

This gives me hope that our obsessions with McDonald’s fries, Wendy’s Frostys, Taco Bell tacos and Burger King Whoppers are no longer going to control our wallets or waistlines. So, I wonder and dream; could this be the beginning of a rising and united group of Americans who are becoming more health conscious and financially effective by choosing to spend their dollar on healthier foods?

Well, there is a little confusion as to how best to interpret the findings provided by the CDC study. These results may be confirmation that public health messages are hitting home with people. However, they could just as easily reflect the financial stress most of us experienced during our most recent U.S. economic crisis.

I choose to believe that the decreased percentage is attributable to us learning more about healthy eating and that maybe we are beginning to choose more salads or healthy alternatives over fries and hamburgers. Still, the cost-related scenario (more people eating at home to save a buck) does have some merit. I guess if there were also research numbers indicating fewer people are actually avoiding the fast food restaurants altogether, we would have a more concrete hypothesis.

In any case, in our busy and fast paced world, it's no longer about ‘where’ you go out to eat. It's about making the right choices once you're there. Of course, the first -and always the healthiest choice- is a home cooked meal, but if restaurant or fast food dining chain is the only option; dine there sparingly.

It’s your life – Live it completely!

John Aaron Villarreal


Bio: I am a Houston based, male massage therapist and wellness coach specializing in pain management and health programs for individuals over the age of forty. I laugh - a lot. I'm quirky but sincere. And, while I'm not a counselor, I do listen and I do care: Except for the times that I don't. That’s a joke - Did I mention that I like to laugh? Anyway, visit my website, call or email me and let's get together to talk about you, and the many ways to live life better!
 
The Legal Stuff: I write to inform, inspire and encourage my readers to enjoy all that life has to offer.
The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease.
Please consult your physician prior to starting any exercise, diet or wellness program.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When Should I Get a Massage and How Often?

This is a question I get often… Let’s face it, if it were up to massage therapists we’d say that you should get a massage every day, but in reality – very few people ever have the means or time to make this scenario play out in their lives. So technically speaking, your frequency should depend on how much you like massage, how often you experience chronic pain, and your budget. If you’re able to afford it, getting a monthly or weekly massage works best at helping prevent injuries by catching tight areas before they become problematic. With my more athletic clients (runners, weightlifters, gymnasts), I usually recommend timing their massage to coincide with the times they are training their hardest. For example, runners can develop tight hamstrings and hips, gymnasts and weight-lifters can get tight shoulders. These tight muscle groups can elicit injuries over time if they aren't treated by massage. If you are physically active, I recommend getting a massage within 24 hours ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Coffee Has Health Benefits

Anyone who knows me knows I love my Joe…. err, “cup of joe” that is. In fact, I’m enjoying a cup as I write this post. However, as a wellness professional that little admission of guilt has gotten me a few sneers and looks of condescension. Caffeine is BAD for you, they say! Well, perhaps abusing caffeine may be “bad” for you, but ‘caffeine’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘coffee.’ Despite this fact, coffee has gotten a bad rep over the years after a few health experts linked it (or rather, linked caffeine abuse) to several diseases. But is coffee actually that bad? Probably not; new research shows that drinking coffee in moderation provides numerous health benefits. Antidepressant It might seem a little odd to find that coffee could help with depression, but new research has shown that it does just that. Now, don’t go throwing out your prescriptions or quit counseling just yet though, coffee is not a cure for depression. Rather, the caffeine in coffee helps regulate your mood trans...
2 comments
Read more

What To Do When You’re Chronically Stressed

Of all the modern-day ailments that seem to affect us, none is more pervasive than stress. Everywhere you turn, there are factors lurking to redirect you from your peaceful pursuit of happiness and lock you in the clutches of “stress.” What exactly is stress—and what more insidious effects does it cause? The dictionary defines stress as “great pressure or force; strain.” In today’s world, we think of stress as the result of too much pressure laid upon us by life, causing mental worry or anguish. This, in turn, manifests itself in tight neck and shoulders, headaches, nervous stomach, etc. But these physical and mental conditions are really only the beginning. Studies show that stressful situations can develop into more threatening health conditions. For instance: A sudden or unexpected stressor can activate your adrenal glands, which sends adrenaline and other hormones into your bloodstream. This brings about an increase in your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood f...
Post a Comment
Read more