SAD Still Earns an F

 

How good is the Standard American Diet (SAD)? Lets just say that we still have a way to go to earn a solid D-. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI), a measure of diet quality used to assess how well a set of foods aligns with key recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, gives the SAD an unimpressive 59 out of 100. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is designed for nutrition and health professionals to help individuals and families to consume a healthful and nutritionally adequate diet.

In 1970, Americans consumed about 2,000 calories per day. Today that has risen to 2,500. Assuming that rise was not accompanied by in increase in activity of at least 500 calories per day, that translates into an extra 2 - 4 pounds gained per month. No wonder that despite spending over $70 billion annually on diet plans, fitness apps, gym memberships and all manner of weight loss products and programs, Americans are fatter than ever. As of 2020, 74% of American adults and 35% of children are now overweight or obese.

Four out of every 10 calories that we stuff into our mouths comes from refined, processed grains and added sugar. Supersized everything is supersizing us. And exposing us to higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

All we need to do to fix this is eat less and move more. But apparently most people just aren't willing to do that.