If you cannot read the nutrition facts on what you’re eating should you really be consuming it?

If you were asked to name off what commercials you have seen for food products what would you say? Fruit Loops? Pop Tarts? Gushers? Cereal that contains a lot of sugar? McDonalds? Burger King?

You can probably only think of commercials that contain sweets or processed food. The number of commercials for unhealthy foods that are broadcast is crazy compared to the number of commercials that are seen containing fruits and vegetables.

Does the government care more about making a profit off food or keeping us healthy?

We’re not only paying for the food we’re consuming but also paying it off in doctor bills later on.

The meat industry, and how they’re promoting unhealthy foods to kids, has a large impact on how the people in America live. Below are some facts about the food industry.

NUTRITION FACTS IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY
In 2012 they tested chicken feathers to see what was found in their system (chicken feathers would be equivalent to us testing our finger nails) They found caffeine, antihistamines, and even prozac (an antidepressant). Prozac was added to the chicken feed because apparently stressed out chickens produce ‘tough meat.’ One person in America eats up to 200 lbs of meat yearly, causing us to have twice the obesity rate, more chances of having cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Not only can the meat industry be bad for your health, but it can also be bad for climate change. If the meat production cut back half of its amount it would be as if we were garaging all vehicles. Two acres of rainforests are cleared each minute to help raise and feed cattle. 35,000 miles of America’s rivers are polluted with animal waste. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat, but only 25 gallons to produce a pound of wheat.

America’s government spends $38 billion a year on the meat industry, but only .04% of their money is spent on fruits and vegetables.

PROMOTING UNHEALTHY EATING TO KIDS

Have you ever noticed that when you see a Burger King commercial the healthy foods are not advertised? They sell veggie burgers and salads, but the only things you see on TV is the Original Chicken Sandwich or their fries.

Another example is commercials that contain breakfast foods for children.  Instead of them advertising healthy foods like fruits, yogurt, or eggs they promote Pop Tarts, Cocoa Puffs, and Taco Bell breakfast.

We are so used to having such unhealthy and processed foods laid out for us, we find it so difficult to come in contact healthy foods when they’re really right in front of us, although they just might be hiding behind a greasy Big Mac. $1.6 billion is spent on advertising unhealthy foods to children. Children see 15 unhealthy food commercials a day.

Companies make a larger profit selling a more processed food. The more food is processed the less healthy it is, and the less filling it is. Just because the packaging food comes in has one health claim it DOES NOT mean the food is healthy.

In 2006 20% of kids were classified as ‘obese.’ There was a promise made to change the marketing of food, a year later they did a study to see if it had changed and 80% of the food commercials were what the Department of Health and Human Services believes should only be eaten once in awhile. In 2013 80% was still the same. It is proven that the more kids watch TV the more unhealthy their food preferences are.