Most US citizens are a little spoiled. Living in the richest country in the world will do that to you. Food, for the most part, is easily accessible, and some people can afford to be picky about what they eat. Very picky. So let’s look at what happens if someone granted your wish to always eat your favorite food, or if your food options were incredibly restricted.  

1. Bacon

Unfortunately the (probable) favorite breakfast food in the US is terrible for you. Some 68% of bacon’s calories are from fat. Fat, especially saturated fat, is thought to be a main contributor to clogged arteries, which of course lead to heart attacks and strokes.

2. Wheat

Wheat is a primary ingredient in most of what humans eat. It’s in bread, cereal, pasta, pastries, etc.

For parts of the world with limited access to meat products, wheat is an even bigger staple. Wheat can be healthy when it is used to make complex whole wheat products, but a majority of products contain refined wheat flour which is digested quickly and causes a rapid increase in blood sugar. In addition wheat is not always the most nutritious source of calories and protein (it doesn’t contain all the essential amino acids) when compared to vegetables and meat. So stay away from heavily processed wheat products.

3. Cheese

On average, Americans eat 23 pounds of cheese a year. Cheese can be a good source of vitamin A, zinc, protein, and calcium, but 23 pounds of cheese a year is a bit excessive. Cheese, like bacon (dang), has a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol which in excess may lead to heart disease and stroke. 

4. Rice

Rice is a staple in the diets of numerous cultures. Rice can be served in a multitude of ways, all of which, in my opinion, are delicious. However rice alone has very little nutritional value. Rice is very low in calories (about 216 calories per cup) but incredibly high in carbohydrates (45g in a cup). Rice also contains very little minerals like phosphorus, and potassium; a diet heavy on rice could create some serious nutritional deficiencies, which is why a balanced diet with rice/rice that is fortified is essential.

5. Hot Cheetos

Hot Cheetos could be the best American invention since the light bulb. They are quite simply put, really amazing. Unfortunately, cheeto powder, which by the way is a delightful mix of maltodextrin, salt, sugar, monosodium glutamate, yeast extract, citric acid, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, and Yellow 5, isn’t the only residue Hot Cheetos leave behind.

Like any other processed snack, hot Cheetos deliver insane amounts of salt, fat and unnatural color with little nutritional value or fiber. So I suppose people should start to limit their hot cheeto intake, which is a task that will take great self-restraint and maturity. But if cheeto lovers don’t cut back, some severe abdominal pain, ulcers, and gastritis may follow

6. Fish

Fish can be really good for you. Its low in fat, high in protein, and is full of omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamins. Fish is also rich in minerals like calcium and phosphorus. So what’s not to love about this superfood? Oh yeah, the mercury content.

Mercury in fish is of course our own doing; when coal is burned, the mercury released in the atmosphere eventually enters bodies of water where it is absorbed by plants and fish. Mercury is especially detrimental to pregnant women, because it can cause brain and neurological damage in the fetuses.

Whether it’s hot cheetos or whole wheat bread, everything needs to be taken in moderation. The importance of a balanced diet can’t be stressed enough. But too many people around the world lack the ability to get a balanced diet due to limited options, financial insecurity, regional conflict or other reasons. 

If you think everyone should have access to a balanced, nutritious diet, then TAKE ACTION NOW by signing the petition to increase food security around the world.