Today, more than ever there is a need for sustainable living. The environment, and health of humans is suffering as a result of the poor choices we make on a daily basis. We are bombarded with choices, most of which are contributing to the growing list of health issues. The majority of people have become so wrapped up in their own busy lives that simple tasks like cooking are starting to disappear altogether. The issue here is the power that the food industry has over the people in this country. The food industry is making decisions that ultimately affect our health and well being. There are two main examples that are causing the most damage as a result of the selfish choices of the food industry, the meat industry, and the health epidemic. There are better ways of living!! 

“Don’t let eating habits define our country, CHANGE NOW”

this is an example of a typical American grocery store where literally millions of choices are there waiting for consumption.

THE MEAT INDUSTRY:
The meat industry is one of the largest contributors to health issues concerning both the planet and the human body. Americans consume the most meat out of any other country in the world, making the carbon footprint of Americans the highest. The CO2 gases that cattle produce are some of the highest in the world, and these CO2 gases are large contributors to global warming. Most mass producers of meat are also brutal and inhumane to the animals they are raising. Clearly money is the main goal, which causes producers to do anything possible to achieve the most money possible. Even if that means growing a chicken in 45 days rather than 3 months, or keeping all the animals locked in a cage small enough for a single animal but stuffed with 20. This kind of treatment is harmful for the animals as well as for us. The meat industry is having a huge impact on the destruction of the planet, as well as our bodies. We need to stand up to these big corporations and demand healthy, free animals for their sake, our sake and the sake and health of the planet.

Here are some shocking statistics about the real price of meat!!yikess. 

http://priceofmeat.com/2009/02/25/10-wtfs-on-meat-and-global-warming/

HEALTH EPIDEMIC:
The current state of America is quite troubling. Our health issues are coming from every angle and affecting millions. Heart disease, diabetes, and obesity just to name a few are the results of over eating the food we are offered today. WHAT? Food is causing a health epidemic?? Yep, with the chemically engineered, and mass produced items on our shopping list, food most certainly is causing the epidemic. The most common health issues today though are those related to the food industry. The saying ‘you are what you eat’ certainly applies here and is evident in the increasing rates of obesity among children. There is no denying the trouble we are facing, yet the food industry continues to shove more and more food onto our plates everyday. The more money we spend, the larger we are becoming keeping the power in the hands of the food giants. Americans live a busy lifestyle, fueled by money and power, which creates little time for good nutrition and health. It is no wonder why the children of this country are getting larger by the second when the choices they are given are fast food fast food fast food, oh and SUGAR!! Something needs to be done about this right away! 

• More than a third of U.S adults are obese.
• Between 8% and 45% newly diagnosed cases of childhood diabetes…
• 58 Million people in the U.S are overweight, 40 Million are Obese… 

This is a map of the Global Obesity percentages per country. 

This is a map of the United States obesity percentages per state.

BETTER WAYS OF LIVING:
There are so many ways of solving this problem. The first step is to educate the population on the corruption the food industry is committing everyday, and the harsh impacts it is having on the health of humans and the planet. Once people have a better understanding of the issue the hope is that there will be change. Another step to take after one has been educated would be to find better ways of living. Finding products that decrease the impact on the environment would be ideal. Decreasing the intake of meat products helps not only the animals, but also improves personal health and makes the planet a better place for all to live on. The demand for meat needs to decrease because as a country we intake far more than our share of meat. Which leads to the next point of improving the overall health of the country. We consumer too much food, and food that is actually hurting our health in the process. Healthy food option need to be made more available for all people. When junk food is all that is offered obviously that is what people will eat. Finally, creating sustainable community gardens are ideal for all people. Community gardens encourage a healthy lifestyle, and foster a caring relationship for both the body and the earth.