The Fast Lane

            As Americans, we live in a fast-paced society that demands a significant amount of time and energy. We often times don’t have enough hours in the day to take care of ourselves. As a result of fast food and lack of exercise, our overall health begins to decline. Often times, we don’t realize that we are continuously feeding ourselves with synthetic and processed food. We don’t stop to think about what we put in our mouths; don’t stop to think about what goes into creating the food we eat. This is America’s dilemma. The problem America has is finding the balance between a 21^st century lifestyle and a lifestyle of completeness.

            After a long day’s work, cooking a full, complete meal is the last thing on many people’s mind. I beg you to reconsider. Home cooked meals are often times healthier than the typical salt saturated, deep fried, takeout food. People may argue that eating has nothing to do with nutrition, but more about the economics. The common misconception is that fast food is cheaper than food prepared at home. Not only is restaurant food more expensive, the medical bill often time gets ignored in the whole calculation. Obesity is unhealthy and expensive. According to the National Institute of Health, the total cost of overweight and obesity to the U.S. economy in 1995 dollars was $99.2 billion.

           People who are overweight are diagnosed with more issues than a healthy person. People suffering from obesity are more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, and cancer just to name a few. Data from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention center found that 33.8% of American adults are obese while 17% apply for children and adolescents. If you think about these statistics for a moment, you then realize that 1/3 or Americans adults are obese. It's also no surprise that the United States leads the world with the nation having the most obese people. 

            Think twice before entering a drive-thru. Understand the consequences of continuously eating out. You may ask yourself, “Why should I have to eat healthy? I’m an adult and I’m able to make my own decisions, damnit!” This is true. Nobody is forcing you to make healthy choices, but if you want to keep your wallet fat and your belly slim, go home and enjoy a nice home cooked meal.