I have heard of the unfortunate “Freshman 15” as well as the foreigners exclamation of “Oh yes, America has so many McDonald’s!”

However, I realized, as a citizen of America, I have never actually stopped and thought about the health of our nation, or even the health of our local cities.

Recently, as the nation has simply continued in its state of obesity, federal regulators have felt the need to give citizens more advice. “Drink water instead of sugary drinks like soda, fill your plate with fruits and vegetables and cut down on processed foods filled with sodium, fat or sugar.”

Simple rules, but yet a large portion of America’s citizens are facing diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.

And don’t get me wrong, I say this with no judgement. I can completely understand one’s love to eat, especially when it comes to consuming sugary substances.

However, it seems that the government itself has issued their own statement. A new declaration that many believe will lead to less health problems and a lower rate of obesity.

“Enjoy your food, but eat less.”

Although this statement may seem obvious and mundane, “facts are facts.”

Americans today consume high over the accepted amount of calories, which then result in expanding waistlines and negative health effects.

“For them to have said ‘eat less’ is really new. Who would have thought?” said the director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Margo G. Wootan. “We should have been saying ‘eat less’ for a decade.”

Ms. Wootan continued to state her happiness in the clearness of these newfound guidelines. She believes that before, adding fruits and vegetables to one’s diet could have easily constituted for adding “a slice of tomato to your hamburger.”

Now, although healthy foods are of course still encouraged, the rule is more simply “eat less.”

For the future, many hope this new rule will help individuals as well as food industries to cut back on food production, specifically items with high sugar, sodium, and carbohydrates.

In addition, restaurants, who have been known for serving well over the correct portion for a single individual, will be faced with the pressure of cutting back on the portion of food served.

“If companies don’t change their practices and reformulate their products, people don’t have a chance of following the dietary guidelines,” said Ms. Wootan.

The government’s new encouragement will hopefully have a large impact on our nation, leading to better choices by companies and individuals.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/business/01food.html?src=me&ref=general