75% of the Americans Will Be Obese by 2015 - 33% already are - Softpedia

I think the recommended three balanced meals are way too much to eat.

Actually, eating 4 smaller ones is much better. You eat because its time to, not necessarily because you are hungry, and you wont eat as much in the first place.

Hey Tricky and Neisha!!! :-D

I was watching ABC News this evening and they were talking this and pointing out that Americans still do not get enough fruits and veggies in their diets. I fouind that to be interesting in spite of the heavy campaigning to get people to consume more produce.

HA! Aunk, thats the year my sorority was founded.

I shop for most of my produce at the health food store near my house, primarily because it is cheaper than the supermarkets out here in CA plus the quality is often better. The only time I get produce at the supermarket is if there is a good sale on it.

Not to steal thunder from this seed because this a good and critical topic, but I must ask this: what do you think of the situation in the inner city as far as fresh produce is concerned? There was an article here in the Union-Tribune not long ago about inner city residents having limited access to fresh fruits, veggies, meats, and the like. Here is the article: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/08/southeast-san-diego-looking-for-healthier-food/

I understand that in many inner cities across the US, the people who live in them have limited to no access to fresh fruits, meats and other things needed to live a healthier lifestyle. However, I do not see that as the case so much here in San Diego as the article claims. For example, there is a Food 4 Less supermarket in this area that is right on the trolley line that sells the items I mentioned. Not only that, there is a Costco and a Sam's Club nearby. There is also a large Mexican grocery store has a large selection of fresh meat and produce. so the people who reside there are not at a complete loss. Furthermore, many of the people who live in the area are either current or retired military and often they shop at the commissary. I know all of this because I live not far away from this area; as a matter of fact I have family still livng there plus I drive through there daily as part of my commute to work.

With all of that being said, I am for community and private home gardens. As a child, I helped my great-grandmother in her garden. I learned about the vegetables she planted like collards, corn, lima beans, green beans, blackeye and purple hull peas, squash, okra, and other delicious veggies. I learned about the process of palnting, from prepping the soil to the harvest. Unfortunately these things are missing from our kids and so many adults today.

I know this is a long post, but these critical topics merit discussion. The future of the US is at stake.

Here on the east coast we are fortunate to have a grocery chain rated in the top five in the country. They have excellent produce and purchase from local farmers who grow per the grocer's standards. It has pulled out of the inner city. Fortunately we had an African American mayor, who brought other stores into the city.

What has happened in the inner cities is for the grocery stores to pull out. This creates a transportation issue for the inner city residents. If a grocery chain keeps some of its stores in the inner city they bring the older almost spoiled produce from the suburban stores to in inner city stores. By then the produce is too old for anyone to purchase. This has created generations that have become accustom to not buying produce. It is not off the subject in that this not a healthy balanced diet and contributes to obesity. The transportation issue also hurts since fresh produce means more frequent trips to the grocer.