Soda and Junk Foods aren’t the Culprits for Weight Gain and Obesity

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Soda and Junk Foods aren’t the Culprits for Weight Gain and ObesityAmericans are becoming bigger and unhealthier due to their intake of unnecessary calories. We have been consuming more calories than ever before since the 1970s. Unfortunately this calorie intake does not result in healthy weight, but instead leads to unhealthy weight gain and the development of unwanted diseases.

There is no one solution to eating healthy. There are many ways to implement eating in a healthy manner, and at times, this may even include occasionally indulging on junk foods as well.

Carbonated drinks, sweets, and fast food are most commonly blamed for the rising numbers of obesity not only in the United States but all across the globe. It is true that excessive consumption of high-calorie food and high-sugar items can lead to unhealthy eating lifestyle, and will in now way help in weight loss. However this is true, recent studies prove otherwise. According to research, the consumption of junk food, sweets, and sodas are not in any way related to the Body Mass Index or BMI of severely obese individuals.

According to a report released by the Food & Brand Lab at Cornell University, Ithaca NY, a diet although an unhealthy meal consisting of cheeseburger, chocolate, and soda are not recommended from a nutritional stand points, these food items are actually not the leading cause of obesity in the United States. The study, co-authored by Brian Wansink an esteemed professional of consumer behavior and marketing at Cornell and David Just a professor working at Cornell’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.

Based on the research, a large majority of underweight Americans actually consume more carbonated drinks, candies, and chocolates than individuals featuring normal weight. The overweight and obese individuals on the other one were identified to consume less soda, sweets, and salt-laden snacks than those with normal wright. People categorized as morbidly obese, those with BMI score of 44.9 or more, consume less salty snacks and sweet food items. Morbidly obese people however ate more French fries than average-weight individuals. Researchers therefore concluded that we should never deprive ourselves of our favorite snack or food items. However, these food items should only be identified as treats rather than regular diet staples.

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So what is the usual suspect for overweight issues and obesity? Simply put, dietary habits play a huge role in unnecessary and excessive weight gain. According to a recent study, some Americans in some states are more obese than others. The people are now consuming over 500 calories more than they did a few decades ago. Besides French fries, there are a number of food items that contain more calories than others. In fact, the number of calories that are consumed on a daily basis increased for grains such as white bread, added sugars, and oil and dairy fats. Americans are not getting most of their sodium intake from processed foods and those you can purchase from restaurants.

With all of these findings, researchers have arrived at some fair and valid points:

  • Health and fitness campaigns should stop demonizing specific foods such as sodas, sweets, and junk foods.
  • Change and healthy weight loss can only be possible if we center our efforts on an overall healthy diet and physical activity.
  • Targeting junk foods is simply ineffective in that it distracts the public from the real underlying issues that cause obesity.

Portion control is extremely important.

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