The “Standard American Diet” (S.A.D.) is a dietary habit characterized by high intakes of red meat, sugary desserts, high fat, and refined grains. It also typically contains high-fat dairy products, high-sugar drinks, and eggs. If you were to list the factors that increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, intestinal disorders – just about any illness – the Standard American diet (S.A.D) has them all.
The striking fact is that cultures that eat the reverse of the standard American diet – low fat, high in complex carbohydrates, plant-based, and high in fiber – have a lower incidence of cancer and coronary artery disease (CAD). What’s even worse is that countries whose populations can afford to eat the healthiest disease-preventing foods don’t. The United States has spent more money on cancer research than any other country in the world, yet the American diet contributes to the very diseases we are spending money to prevent.
Shockingly, the average American gets over seven percent of their calories from soft drinks alone — a situation that most certainly accelerates both obesity and diabetes. As with soft drinks, the other junk foods consumed by Americans are so-called “empty calorie” foods, meaning they’re devoid of nutritional value. And yet people keep turning to these foods with alarming frequency because they taste good.
The situation is certainly alarming. With the challenges of the New Age the last thing we want is a nation of sick people on an unhealthy diet. Wake up and move away from junk food and soft drinks.
