Food Culture: Are Americans Fat?

Each country has its own gastronomic traditions. It’s not for nothing that there is French cuisine, Asian, Russian, American... American? Surely, you are now stumbling at this point. And perhaps they added sarcastically: “McDonald’s, or what?”

Фото: Depositphotos

Of course, such a rich set of dishes that it was enough for a full-fledged restaurant, the United States can not boast. Partly, because America is a fusion of different nationalities, each of which has brought its own crown recipe to a common piggy bank. Partly because the dishes loved by the locals for some reason did not become popular in other parts of the world. It's like country music, from which only the Americans themselves can enjoy. Nevertheless, there are still some culinary discoveries in the States.

For example, grits - porridge from corn grits, remotely resembling semolina. In fact, the attitude towards it is somewhat ambiguous within the country. A native of the northern states will most likely tell you that this is “inedible muck,” but the Southerners treat this breakfast with inexplicable tenderness.

Or bagel - a bagel, first cooked in boiling water, and then baked in the oven. Gradually, this bakery product penetrates into other countries, but it’s only here that is crazyly popular. It is sprinkled with sesame or poppy seeds, smeared with butter, sandwiches and toasts are made of it, and in general what is not made of it ...

Probably the only typically American dish familiar to Europeans is barbecue. And if you think that these are just kebabs, then you are mistaken. The cooking method of barbecue is somewhat different, and a different sauce is used there. With kebabs they are rather related to the fact that cooking is a whole ritual associated with family or friendly gatherings.

But in general, the food culture in the United States is so sad that it can rather be called incivility. Fast food and processed foods are commonplace here. America is sometimes even called the “land of big freezers.” The top is also fatty, fried and sweet. That is, something that would horrify any nutritionist. Therefore, the problem of excess weight is really close to becoming a national problem. According to surveys, more than half of the population suffers from extra pounds, and about a third of them are in the obesity stage.

Фото: Depositphotos

In Russia, of course, it is customary to treat the Americans somewhat condescendingly and, after Zadornov, repeat: “Well, stupid!”. But we offer a closer look at the reasons that led the US to such consequences, and try them on yourself. It may be that the picture will suddenly be familiar, and the conclusions are sad.

1. The cost of food. Of course, the people of the United States certainly are not associated with poverty. Nevertheless, even they can not always boast the opportunity to buy quality food. Natural organic products are here if not a prestigious segment, then certainly not massive. Basically, on the shelves are cheap substitutes, full of preservatives and flavor enhancers. Of course, not all supplements labeled "E" are unconditionally harmful, we are not inclined to demonize food chemistry. However, the fact remains that many manufacturers in the pursuit of cheaper production and an increase in shelf life too zealous with all sorts of unhealthy ingredients for health. Unfortunately, in Russia things are not much better.

2. Food Desert. This concept describes the fact that in many sleeping and suburban areas, even if desired, you cannot buy good food. In convenience stores, as a rule, one and the same standard set of convenience foods, and for fresh vegetables or farm meat you need to go separately, and you will most likely have to pretty much wipe before you buy everything you need, while in the supermarket buy everything right on the way home. This is perhaps the only thing that does not threaten the Russians. Still, for most families, the older generation traditionally spends weekends at the dacha, and on the way home you can always look at some local spontaneous market where grandmothers sell apples from their own garden and a little wry, but natural carrots.

3. Time. Americans work a lot and have very little free time. Therefore, they often simply do not have time to prepare healthy food. It’s much faster to throw pizza in the microwave or grab a hot dog for lunch. For many, fiddling with cutting meat and the correct technology for preparing it is an unaffordable luxury. You can, of course, but then you will have to cut back on time from sleep or communication with children. In Russia, it seems, they have not yet decided to give up home-cooked food, but this option is ideal only when the mother or grandmother is a housewife. Otherwise, a “second shift” effect occurs when a woman (let’s be honest, these responsibilities most often fall on her shoulders), coming home, instead of resting, works as a cook and cleaner.

4. Lack of movement. This point logically follows from the previous one, because the average American has too little time for sports, and when it still falls out, the majority will prefer to watch baseball on TV or at the stadium rather than warm up themselves. In addition, the eternal time trouble leads to the fact that fewer people move on foot - most people choose cars. This enhances the sedentary lifestyle and leaves even less room for movement. In this place, we propose to recall when you yourself last walked in the woods or chased a football game.

5. Stress and lack of sleep. They have a somewhat mediated effect, but still doctors agree that it also affects weight gain, both on the physiological level due to metabolic disorders, and psychological, when we strive to seize trouble with sweets. There is even the term "entertaining food" - that is, the one from which you can quickly enjoy and distract yourself. Perhaps this is one of the most dangerous factors, which is seriously underestimated.

Фото: Depositphotos

Do Americans struggle with this problem? Hard to say! Yes, they began to voice it, but this has not yet led to real progress. Products with the words “low-calorie”, “fat-free”, “no cholesterol”, etc. began to appear on the shelves of the same supermarkets. But for now this is more like a new round of marketing technologies. Some even joke that consumers can feed any tasteless rubbish, if you write on it in large letters "dietary". Yes, and the lobby of large corporations involved in fast food, including McDonald's, is still much stronger than the voices of those who call for a healthy lifestyle.

Of course, many popular bloggers and celebrity celebrities promote yoga, vegetarianism and other things that favorably affect the figure. And the model and advertising business sometimes provokes another extreme - anorexia. But you should be aware that their audience is quite a few stratum of the population. The majority of ordinary people do not even suspect or give them meaning to them.

Only serious intervention by the US Congress and the consistent introduction of measures aimed at improving the nation can change the situation. Considering the many-sided nature of the problem, the work must be comprehensive and conducted at all levels. First, education and promotion of a healthy lifestyle are important. As European practice shows, such things can be made fashionable. But control of public opinion should at least once play for the benefit of its citizens. Secondly, it is necessary to limit harmful and fatty foods, convenience foods, fast food. Surely, such a move will meet with serious resistance from the owners of these factories, but there are quite humane ways to change the mood of the business - not to prohibit something, but to encourage the desired changes. Thirdly, it is necessary to convince employers that the health of employees is their responsibility, and it is cheaper to equip a small gym and a normal cafeteria than to lose personnel.

Of course, the whole thing is not one day or even one year. People are inert, it is difficult for them to change habits and force themselves to act differently, even if their quality of life depends on it. The state should start with the steps that will help create a favorable environment for life change for the better, and the average citizen will gradually begin to follow it.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Apple Pie: The History of the American Symbol

Hot Dog: The History of the American Symbol

What Americans eat: borrowed fast food, lack of calories and pepper sweets

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.