Category: American lifestyle

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, over half of Americans' daily calories come from ultra-processed foods, a stark indicator of why Americans like processed foods so much. This widespread consumption is rooted in a complex mix of societal, economic, and psychological factors that influence modern dietary habits.

According to the USDA, the average American consumes only about 16 grams of dietary fiber per day, roughly half of the recommended daily intake. This significant shortfall makes fiber arguably the most difficult nutrient for most Americans to obtain in sufficient amounts. The modern American diet, rich in processed foods, is largely to blame for this widespread deficiency.

With up to 70% of the US food supply being ultra-processed, it's no wonder that many Americans find it incredibly hard to eat healthy in the US. This widespread availability of low-cost, convenient, but nutritionally-poor food has become a major systemic obstacle to public health. The challenge goes far beyond personal willpower, rooted deeply in complex economic and social structures.