Food within the American food system is often greasy, fattening, unhealthy, and the source of many health problems. These characteristics of the food system have sparked a debate of whether or not the current food system should remain. This debate weighing the pros and cons of our current food system have proposed the question of whether the food system should be modified, replaced, or eliminated completely.
The current food system-
1. Currently the food within our food system is heavily processed. Most of the food supplied by the industrial food system has been through many assembly lines in order to be distributed in its current package. Although these assembly lines are efficient, the food you receive may not even be real food at all by the time you get it to your table.
2. The food produced is also filled with many preservatives; fats, oils, salts, sodium nitrate. These substances ensure that your food will not be molded and rotten by the time it reaches the store. Over time these additives can become harmful. Sodium nitrate is known to be a source of sodium build up and can lead to gastric cancer over time (Downs 2008).
3. Within the current food system we also have very large portion sizes. Our portion sizes have doubled over the last 20 years causing American's to consumer more and in return growing the obesity rate. Doctor Elizabeth G. Nabel of the National Heart and Lung Institute said, "Super- sized portions at restaurants have distorted what Americans consider a normal portion size" (Nabel 2014)
Serving Sizes Then and Now
| Food or beverage | 1950's portion | 2003 portion |
|---|---|---|
| French fries | 2.4 ounces | up to 7.1 ounces |
| Fountain soda | 7.0 ounces | 12 to 64 ounces |
| Hamburger patty | 1.6 ounces | up to 8.0 ounces |
| Hamburger sandwich | 3.9 ounces | 4.4 to 12.6 ounces |
| Muffin | 3.0 ounces | 6.5 ounces |
| Pasta serving | 1.5 cups | 3.0 cups |
| Chocolate bar | 1 ounce | 2.6 to 8 ounces |
Courtesy of the Naval Medical Center of San Diego
 |
| Courtesy of ThinkProcess |
So... all these statistics raise the question; does something need to be done? Does the current food system need to be modified? Should we completely do away with a food system and see what happens if there were no rules for food production?
1. The first solution to the current food system problem is to limit the amount of processed food. Most of the food we consume has been processed and genetically modified. In order to reduce the effects these faulty foods, we need to limit the amount of GMO's produced. In over 60 countries GMO's are banned, but here in America we prefer our food to be processed in order that it tastes better.
2. The second proposition to a new food system is to limit the amount of fats, oils, and sodium that is injected into food. These substances help to preserve the food produced. By speeding up the transportation process and limiting the amount of injections into food, we can ensure that the food being consumed is more natural and healthier for the consumer.
3. Finally, it is necessary that we reduce the "normal" portion size. What we consider to be normal now is 42 oz drinks and 3 lb burgers at sonic. If these sizes are limited, the obesity rate would shrink drastically. These limitations have been put into place in New York already.
By implementing these few adaptions into the current food system the obesity rate in America can be drastically reduced. These changes can move our population.....
The new, healthier food system-
1. The first solution to the current food system problem is to limit the amount of processed food. Most of the food we consume has been processed and genetically modified. In order to reduce the effects these faulty foods, we need to limit the amount of GMO's produced. In over 60 countries GMO's are banned, but here in America we prefer our food to be processed in order that it tastes better.
2. The second proposition to a new food system is to limit the amount of fats, oils, and sodium that is injected into food. These substances help to preserve the food produced. By speeding up the transportation process and limiting the amount of injections into food, we can ensure that the food being consumed is more natural and healthier for the consumer.
3. Finally, it is necessary that we reduce the "normal" portion size. What we consider to be normal now is 42 oz drinks and 3 lb burgers at sonic. If these sizes are limited, the obesity rate would shrink drastically. These limitations have been put into place in New York already.
By implementing these few adaptions into the current food system the obesity rate in America can be drastically reduced. These changes can move our population.....
 |
| Courtesy of GodSpoke |
Works Cited
"We Can!® Community News
Feature." Nabel. Portion Sizes and Obesity, News & Events, NHLBI, NIH.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 13 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Feature, Martin Downs MPHWebMD. "The Truth about 7
Common Food Additives."
WebMD. WebMD, 17 Dec. 2008. Web. 23 Nov.
2014.
"Portion Distortion-Serving Sizes Are Growing." Portion
Distortion-Serving Sizes Are
Growing. Naval Medical Center of San Diego,
2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
"Fit to Fat Logo Low Carb." GodSpoke Cyclists Leduc. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
"Fit to Fat Logo Low Carb." GodSpoke Cyclists Leduc. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is really interesting. I had no idea America's portion sizes are so large. Your use of logos is what convinced me of the unbelievable food problems in America. You gave evidence of how preservatives contain sodium nitrate, which could cause gastric cancer. Also, the chart of the large portion sizes was a really good use of logos. The chart shows outrageous numbers that America has evolved to, and many explanations to the obesity epidemic. Your use of pathos helps build your claim. The picture of the portion sizes creates a sense of awe and disgust that restaurants are feeding us those huge portion sizes. Also, the picture of the Fat to Fit and the solutions you gave creates an emotion of relief that the audience knows how the obesity epidemic could be resolved.
You accomplished your goal of informing me what the food problem is and what should be done. I am more aware now of the reasons of the obesity epidemic. I thought you did a great job and the solutions you gave for the problem is a nice touch. The only thing I would change is put more effective pictures into your blog. Thanks for sharing.