Government Controlled Diets?

Government Controlled Diets?

More and more people in the United States are becoming obese. the waistline of Americans are expanding bigger and bigger each year, how could this problem be solved? Over the years the government has suggested dietary plans for Americans like, "choose my plate plan" or the banning of trans fats, and other bands. This brought conflict and controversial issues in the states. The question of "should the government have a say in a diet?" came up. These dietary Plans are good ideas yet they don't work in the long term. Although the governments ideas are good ones, they should not have a say in American diets because, there is no good proof that it works, many people can't afford it, and it degrades Americans.

The government has been telling Americans what to eat in both words and actions for the past decades. The government did so by suggesting dietary plan like, changing diets and school cafeterias, reducing portion sizes, and much more. This was all to reduce obesity and make a healthier America. Just recently the government is trying to ban trans-fat. Studies have shown that trans-fat, though cheaper and extends the life of food on the shelf, was a greater risk to cardio vascular health and other oils. the government controlling Americans diets have caused much conflict between people on whether the government was going too far. Is the government going too far? Should the government have a say in American diets? Should they continue?

To begin with, the rising obesity problem is very well-known yes, Americans have yet to determine a successful way to get it under control. According to the national Center for health statistics, obesity among adults have more than doubled from 13.4 percent in 1960 to 34.3% in 2008 (Marlow, Abdukadirov). In that time many plans and stands to decrease obesity has been suggested by the government. Some examples would be the multiple bans of certain ingredients and restaurants, The multiple food plans suggested in schools and even the banning of trans fat. However America have yet to see a significant decrease in obesity, or health problems involving it. In fact, in the past the governments "eat better" plans have proved incorrect and actually increase the fat in the diet. The government tells people to eat more fruits and vegetables and they do. But the Americans switch from under nutrition to over-nutrition in just 40 years (Brownell 30). Just because the government gives Americans suggestions, doesn't mean they should follow it or, let alone, that it would be effective.

Furthermore, not only is the governments ideas not guaranteed successful, but they are also expensive. If "obesity cost the government millions of Dollars each year in medical expenses," (Daniel), then why is healthier food more expensive. In every supermarket the prices of the junk-food and the healthy choices greatly differ. This is one of the main reasons why obesity is rising. According to Kelly Bownell, "a trip to McDonald's today will cost you more to buy a salad and a drink than a quarter pounder with cheese meal that has a soft drink and fries." (Bownell 30). The government encourages people to eat things like that even though it costs more. Due to the price of healthy foods, people can't afford to eat healthy in this economy. In studies, marketing shows to be contributing poor diet and health (Bownell 30). In this country where there is nearly 8 percent unemployment and millions of people on food stamps, following the healthy eating plan of the government is not easy or cheap. Since it's not free for the government to create these plans or to publicize them, it would cost the government more money, money they don't have. So that would mean more taxes for Americans, which would only