How the Availability of Food Affects Diets

• Food Everywhere

  The majority of the Western world eats out numerous times a week. According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, 56 percent of Americans eat at least three dinners per week that are not prepared at home and 40 percent eat at least four meals a week. Food eaten out is spent at company cafeterias, restaurants, college campuses, supermarkets, corner stores and takeouts. With this much money and time spent on food, it's no wonder the availability of all types of foods can lead to being overweight or bring on acute or chronic diseases.

• Readily Available

  Having foods readily available to you can cause tremendous consequences to your diet. The actuality that you may not have to walk or drive far away to find food weighs heavily on what you decide to eat. Fast food establishments are within a mile radius of most areas and are open almost 24/7, making them accessible whenever you get a craving.

• Portions

  The larger the portions, the larger your waistline, just by supersizing your meal. Almost every eatery serves more than enough carbohydrates, fats and proteins for three days of eating in one meal. These larger-than-needed portions only makes you want to eat more and then take a nap, not allowing you enough time to digest your food. The result is a gain in body fat.

• Conscious Eating

  Taking note of your current eating habits and vowing to modify them for the better is the first step in improving your diet. You must plan your meals as much as you can. In addition, try to eat your own home-prepared meals so you are always aware of the ingredients (sodium, fats, protein and carbohydrates). If you must eat fast food, try to order from the small-portion menu. When going to restaurants, ask for salad dressing on the side and stay away from creamy and fried foods that are high in fat. You don't have to clean your plate with every meal, just ask that content be separated before it's served or simply do it yourself. Taking control of portion size allows you to control your overall health. At the supermarket, make a list and stick to it so you stay in control. Remember, you are what you eat. So if you're not sure of ingredients and how many calories something has, either ask or steer clear. It takes extreme willpower to be a conscious eater, but you can do it.

References & Resources

• Nutrition Labeling in the Food-Away-From-Home Sector
• Origins and Evolution of the Western Diet
• Healthy Meals Begin at Home