Yummy, Artery-Clogging Goodness!

Chocolate—the soft, delicious treat that “melts in your mouth, not in your hands.” Potato chips—the crunchy, salty indulgence where “once you pop, the fun don’t stop.” Fast-food French fries, hamburgers, and soda pop—also known as the downfall of our modern society—makes individuals whisper “I’m lovin’ it” as they wipe their grease-smothered hands on their jeans and shirts, their blood pressure soaring, and fields of pimples begin to form across their face as their hormones reject the fast, flavorsome meal. Even though junk food tastes utterly delectable to the average person’s mouth, it actually makes individuals feel unhealthy and tired, especially later-on in their lives. Americans should watch what they eat, teaching their children and their children’s children that junk food damages their bodies, and it serves as an addicting agent when they grow older. But are the American citizen’s truthfully to blame for their choice of nourishment? After all, the fast-food companies such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s—to name a few—and the other junk food producers of the world draw their listeners into buying their products with irresistible advertising, low prices, and appetizing products. Who cares if McDonald’s will make you obese and raise your blood pressure, as long as it is an excellent deal, right?

If unhealthy products, such as potato chips, soda, French fries, and hamburgers, were discouraged more in our society, maybe citizens would think before they eat and think before they let their children eat. Of course, everyone knows the negative results of eating too much junk food, but if producers were not so persistent in having the public buy their tasty and inexpensive “masterpieces”, maybe consumers would not feel as tempted. American’s today are also shown easy ways out of obesity instead of doing it the old-fashioned way—healthy diet and exercise. Now, we can take magic diet pills that simply “melt” the fat away! “Buy our magnificent, miracle diet pills that melt off eighty pounds in two weeks! You won’t need to change your diet or even exercise. Just take this pill before every meal, and before you know it, you will be as skinny and beautiful as any model!” These hundreds of different dieting programs available just make Americans lazy and stay unhealthy. If they never change their diet, they could be as skinny as a rail, but their hearts would still be coated and caked with layers of fat, resulting in heart disease. But who cares? They can eat whatever they want and still fit through doorways.

Although the junk food industries in our society play a major role in the food choices we make, the health food producers are not completely innocent. Organic groceries at your local supermarket are priced much higher over the rest of the groceries in the store, making these products unappealing to most consumers. The average American cannot even afford gasoline anymore, let alone buy over-priced, healthy food. Natural grocers, such as Whole Food Market and Down to Earth, cannot compete with places like Wal-Mart and their much lower prices. The health food industry should spend more money on promoting their products instead of letting fast food restaurants and cereal companies conquer every available commercial slot. In the movie “Super Size Me”, Morgan Spurlock showed various pictures to children around the ages of five and six. The kids could not identify a picture of Jesus. One of these adorable youngsters said that this picture was of George W. Bush, who we all know is on the completely opposite side of the spectrum. However, every child was able to identify Ronald McDonald because of the increasing marketing of junk food that the youth of America observe as they enjoy their favorite television programs. If natural grocers create appealing characters and lower their towering prices, maybe they would grab the attention of more customers, gaining more profit in the long run and making Americans healthier and happier.

Beginning to eat better foods to achieve a fit lifestyle is incredibly difficult when millions of Americans have grown up eating junk food and know how exhilarating it can be to the taste buds. However, it is not too late! Save your children from this horrific fate of junk food addiction by teaching them healthier food choices early in life. Corporations need to stop being so money-hungry and share some of that wealth with the youth of America instead of bombarding them with unnecessary advertising. And natural grocers need to take a stand and rise to the top by ameliorating their industry to the public in order to form longer-living, better-off customers. But we can still become healthy without the greedy food industries’ help. Eat more carrots! Eat more apples! Eat more chicken! Eat more raison brain! Eat more yogurts! Drink more water! There is a way to eat (and drink) healthier, but it is up to the individual to raise above all of the tempting obstacles to obtain a healthier, longer, and less painful life.