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Most Americans Dumber Than Dirt When it Comes to Health

A survey of 1,000 U.S. adults identified a number of "diet disconnects" between what people consider good health practices and their actual daily habits.

For example, while 90 percent of Americans think breakfast is an important part of a healthy diet, only 49 percent eat breakfast every day.

And although 80 percent know that functional foods can benefit the heart, just 42 percent actually eat these foods.

Only 44 percent say they use both diet and physical activity for weight management, and a mere 11 percent are aware of the number of calories that should be consumed daily to maintain a healthy weight. If you really want to see how dumb some Americans are watch the video which quizzes people about 9/11




IFIC 2007 Food & Health Survey May 22, 2007

CNN.com May 31, 2007


Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I tend to remain relatively insulated with a core group of "health believers" so I sometimes am surprised at how ignorant so many people are about foundational health basics.

For the most part it is not because they lack intelligence, but a result of their views having been effectively manipulated by multinational corporate giants whose bottom line benefits from lies and truth distortions.

I am all too familiar with this process after being threatened for years with legal action by Tate & Lyle, one of these giants, that manufactures Splenda. They threatened serious legal action if I published my book, Sweet Deception, that blew the cover on how they deceived the public.

But they never sued me.

You know why?

Because I told the truth.

My goal is to help create a fundamental paradigm shift in people's consciousness about how they can use food as a primary tool to recapture their health. According to the latest study by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), we may still have a ways to go. There's still a radical lack of knowledge about certain basic health issues, such as the "calories in—calories out" concept.

Learning what the right thing to do is versus actually doing it can sometimes take some time, but it's well worth the effort.

Start small. But start.

According to the survey, less than half of you are taking the time to eat breakfast, even though you know it's healthy to do so. Hectic, too-busy lifestyles appear to be the main culprit. If life is simply too crazy to sit down for breakfast in the morning, try some of the tips from this article on the Benefits of Being an Early Riser, and How to do It. Improving your health could be just one of many benefits from waking 30 to 45 minutes earlier every morning.

And far too few of you are taking advantage of the fact that diet and exercise work hand-in-hand to benefit your health. I suggest viewing exercise like a drug that needs to be prescribed precisely to achieve maximum results, and cutting grains and sugars from your diet at the same time will help you to tame your weight and stay fit.

Diets by themselves, without an exercise program, don't work, and the best exercise program in the world won't help you if you're continually cramming your body full of junk food.

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Comment on This Article Community Comments (40)
 
 
Posted On Jun 05, 2007
This post was deleted because it violated our Terms Of Use :
Comment does not pertain to the topic of the article or does not provide value or insight to the discussion. Submit stories or comments linking to affiliate programs, multi-level marketing schemes, or off-topic content or any other system that will result in your personal financial or commercial gain.

 
Katy B
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 3/2007
Katy B  
Replied

Amanda Rose
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Amanda Rose  
 
Posted On Jun 19, 2007
One of the survey findings is that people are trying to increase their consumption of vegetable oils -- high in Omega 6 fatty acids.


Anne Arsenault
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Anne Arsenault  
 
Posted On Jun 23, 2007
I agree.............I work in a grocery store and it amazes me the amount of pop people buy, not to mention all the other processed foods!
I run the Natural Foods Section and I will tell you that business in my section has really gone up in the last 8 years.
After seeing cola in baby bottles and small children with big bags of candy..............I sat down and wrote a book,
"Real Solutions to Children's Health"
I hope that people continue to wake up and take responsibility for their health and the health of their children.
Anne


Patty D
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2007
Patty D  
 
Posted On Jun 23, 2007
I have a major problem.  I am on a fixed income and very tight budget due to getting hurt seriously at work a few years ago.  I recently started seeing a chiropractor who has convinced me of the need for raw/natural foods.  In the last 2 months I have totally changed my eating habits and definitely am seeing improvement.  I Have also stopped taking over 1/2 my meds (which I get free).  I cannot afford to keep doing pasture fed meats but I am well aware of the benefits and am already spoiled by the taste difference.  How does a poor person succeed in eating the way God intended?


MuleMarm
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
MuleMarm  
 
Posted On Jun 23, 2007
Katy B... You said it, Kiddo!
Even sadder, is the person who shows interest in our healthful lifestyle -- how I stay healthy at age 74 -- and you tell them, and they STILL do the things they now KNOW are dangerous to their health... All that's left is to pray for them...

Blessings... You said it right.... MuleMarm


Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
 
Posted On Jun 24, 2007
@ Patty D:  That is a very good question.  Allot of us on the blog have serious health problems and trying to find good food takes up allot of
time and resources.  OK if you have loads of money, but the rest of us
regular folk are struggling.

Have you contacted the local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation?
    www.westonaprice.org

I know they help to link up farmers with consumers, so they would have the resources to network you with co-ops and farm-share programs.

Also, have you run that by your chiropractor?  Maybe he has other patients you can share resources with.

Good luck-your are in my prayers as you continue to regain your health.

Would you let us know what you find out?


jannie
Novice User Novice User Joined On 5/2007
jannie  
 
Posted On Jun 25, 2007
Well!  I too must use duct-tape on my mouth when around my family.  My older brother has a lot of blockage, some 100% and actually grew a bypass artery.  He is on a lot of drugs and still eats out everyday.  My younger brother if on dyalysis and still eats fast food.  It is so sad  people are just unaware.  Those people in the video seem so unaware of what is going on. 

Thanks Dr. Mercola

Janis


Patty D
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2007
Patty D  
 
Posted On Jun 26, 2007
@Reesacat...Thank you very much for the info on the Weston Price Foundation.  I will contact them tomorrow and see if they can  help.  My chiropractor has found a source for beef and plans to sell it from his office once the cow is slaughtered (within a week). I have no clue what it will cost though.  Through a lot of research online,  I found sources for raw milk ,both cow and goat.  Unfortunately it is very expensive because it has to come over 300 miles.  The goat's milk is over twice the cost of cow's milk.  There is a local source for chickens, but again, the price.  I can't thank you enough for the info because maybe there is something around that I haven't found on my own. 

 
 
 
Posted On Jun 05, 2007
While i think this acticle is bang on, i do believe more & more people are tuning in and waking up to "smell the coffee", thanks to the Internet and other good sources, we have invaluable sites like this to relay and rely on.  

 To a great degree we still have to contend with the phobias like eating red meat, eggs and coconut oil etc.etc are bad for you, which we all  now know is quite the opposite. Even my Family Doctor is so "lost" it makes me quiver. My last visit i asked him since i was using cod liver oil for a while now (winter months) i would like to get my Vit D tested, his response was " there's no such thing as Vitamin D testing", (same as when my wife asked about the natural thyroid hormone his response again was why do you want this and after her explation that there were no side effects plus it's more readily absorbed by your body he just shrugged and said " even if i do find it i won't administer to you")
I was in awe...I kid you not.....I just completed my visit and left quietly. Million dollar question was what do you do then and there and before anyone says the logical, look for another doctor, here in Toronto it's not easy to find one and you need one for referrals etc...

So we just try to take care of ourselves by finding updated information from sites like this and doing the best we can with whatever little we can find.

See it's not just one part of the equation that's flawed, it's the complete system that needs to be revamped and a good place to start would be to turn the current food pyramid on it's head along with the FDA and other supporting agencies, but, remember Rome was'nt built in a day so we just have to keep pounding away. Until then let's keep it safe, clean and not fight amongst ourselves....The enemy is out there not here.

 
seg
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 11/2006
seg  
Replied

evw
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2007
evw  
 
Posted On Jun 05, 2007
I wanted to comment on the previous comment...I have been "fighting" my doctors for several years now. When I bring up my ideology about health, healthcare etc I am met by the same response. As a matter of fact when I lived in Baltimore, MD I met the future doctor geniuses and I would not want any of them taking care of my dog. My father has also (as he has made a 180 degree turnaround after a throat closure due to acid reflux and poor dietary habits, scarring the throat and having TWO surgical stretches) been met with doctors patronizing behaviors. He has also had a dentist admit flouride and other things the AMA espouses are conspiracies of the nth degree...JUST SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT


KathieJamisonCote
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
KathieJamisonCote  
 
Posted On Jun 23, 2007
Food for thought is feeding your body life giving foods and the getting rid of the family doctors who exhibit cluslessness in the department of life giving nutrition.

If they don't realize "your body and health are a direct product of the foods that got into one's mouth - they are essentially worthless.

Feed the body crap food - it breaks down and all kinds of different conditions and diseases crop up, take advantage of and attack the weakened body. 

FEED THE BODY LIFE GIVING FOODS AND THE BODY FLOURISHES............DOCTORS SHOULD KNOW THIS!!!

 
 
 
Posted On Jun 06, 2007
I have tried to talk to my family and friends on the food health, and they
think I am crazy, I am new and it will be nice talking to people that are
on the same wave-link. Mrs junebug

 
junebug24
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 6/2006
junebug24  
Replied

junebug24
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
junebug24  
 
Posted On Jun 06, 2007
Thank you Katy I will get better at this.


KathieJamisonCote
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
KathieJamisonCote  
 
Posted On Jun 23, 2007
hi contrarian - in response to your querry
"Everyone loves an evangelist.
Is your health perfect?
Is your weight ideal?
Are you muscular and firm?
If not, preach not.
Herb"

Marianne Williamson said in her book Everyday Grace  "to minister, you do not have to be an ordained "minister."  I help others understand the importance of their food choices and my family is living proof - you are what you eat.............

I'm told the 100 or so families I share my info with (even when they don't agree or yet see the light) appreciate me.......

My health is perfect - if not visiting the doctor in over 17 years qualifies?
with no colds, flus, headaches, coughs, allergies.................
(except when we reintroduced animal products back into our lives for a couple of years, then came  earaches, colds, flus, sinus problems - and there were 7 in our family who all suffered until we changed our ways of eating back to "eating for health".

I am my ideal weight, and control that with what goes into my mouth - if I eat more than I should I gain weight, if I cut back I lose.  

I am muscular and firm..........eating 60-80% fruits and vegetables, no processed or refined foods contributes as does the "plank" or board lift" (works every muscle in your body) and the V sit (or hundred) from pilates.

............and I've been around quite a long time............our teenager's friends
all swear I'm in my 30's..........hihihihi :)





chirocheer
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 8/2006
chirocheer  
 
Posted On Jun 23, 2007
To Contrarian,

Yes to all the above.  My diet is extremely healthy; I work out 5 days a week, and I have a phenomenal nervous/immune system (due to chiropractic adjustments when needed).  A healthy lifestyle really works.  May I evangelize now?

 
 
 
Posted On Jun 05, 2007
Dr Mercola - What a fabulous service you provide to all who visit here.
While we may not always agree 100% with 100% - you do have people's well-being and health at the heart of your website.  And there are no too many doctors out there who can honestly make that claim.

I applaud your efforts and thank you for all your work, your findings and your tireless energy trying to educate today's world on the benefits of "eating to live" and by providing information that substantiates the horrific practices of today's medical/pharmiceutical/political and corporate buddy system.  It just stinks what they get away with.

 
KathieJamisonCote
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 4/2007
KathieJamisonCote  
 
 
 
Posted On Jun 05, 2007
Even the people who did the survey still have some way to go.  I noticed that they stated saturated fats caused heart attacks and no mention of trans-fats could be found.  Could it be the information people are getting is not accurate unless they come to your website.

Mary

 
mmc88121
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 11/2006
mmc88121  
Replied

Witch Doctor
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 9/2006
Witch Doctor  
 
Posted On Jun 06, 2007
Mary - good point.  Saturated fat consumption has steadily decreased for at least 50 years now.  Heart disease has increase over the same time period.  And they still say saturated fats cause heart disease.  How stupid can they be?  Unfortunately, bad theories do not die until the scientists die.


Bob2_203
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Bob2_203  
 
Posted On Jun 06, 2007
Indeed, the "French Paradox" is not that they eat lots of saturated fat, yet suffer little heart disease.  It's that they eat little trans-fat and get no heart disease.  So, I guess there really isn't any paradox.

Then the conventional medicine geniuses attribute the French's freedom from heart disease to high wine consumption, which actually harms their livers, and we have the media yakking about how everyone should drink lots of (boxed) wine.  So, conventional medicine gets it wrong again, and again, and again...


KathieJamisonCote
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
KathieJamisonCote  
 
Posted On Jun 23, 2007

contrarian - yes it might be most beneficial to the entire medical community if folks at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, U of California, Rice, Duke, and others DID consult here.

It's ridiculous and a crime that they DON'T KNOW THIS STUFF!!!!  Foods can heal, foods can prevent and foods can give life - but it has to be the right types of foods.....not just something off the shelf and into the microwave or purchased quickly from the drive-up window - MD'S who don't preach the dangers of crap food should not be practicing.

 

 
 
 
 
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