Why Americans are fatties

The reason that many Americans are having problems with their vehicle's suspension system and are suffering sofa structural failure is this: chain restaurants.

People assume, wrongly, that even healthy looking menu items at the local Applebee's or Ruby Tuesday are actually good for them. If they had the nutrition information in front of them stating that the seemingly healthy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta from Ruby Tuesday has 2,060 calories and 128 grams of fat, their opinion may well change.

So, what can be done about people too ignorant to realize that a dish drizzled with cheese, no matter what is under the cheese, isn't exactly as healthy as a rice cake? Would nutrition information, like the labels plastered on packaged good bought in stores, be a valid idea? Would it turn people off to the least healthy items or would they continue their less-than-healthy habits and end up needing either a large casket or gastric bypass?

I will admit to eating less-than-healthy amounts of less-than-healthy foods at times. I think back to last Tuesday when I ordered a large pizza and was informed that it was "Two-Times Tuesday". Hot damn! 2 for 1 pizza! I then ate half of one large pizza and packed the other half for Wednesday's lunch. I have a sneaking suspicion that the half-pizza I consumed had a bit more than 1,000 calories and was probably closer to 2,000; maybe more. But, just like the guy ordering a Ruby Tuesday burger so grand it takes two hands to hold and will slide apart if the knife in the middle is removed, I know what I am doing. I, though, choose to counteract it. My weight has been steady for about six years and considering my age, I am impressed. I don't always eat like that plus I do my daily exercises and tend to do even more in the way of physical activity when the warm months come (you know, May-September).

It is foolish to think that any law could dictate what people should and shouldn't eat. Nutritional "guidelines" already exist but I don't see alot of people chowing down the six recommended servings of fruit and vegetables each day. America is meat and potatoes largely and those people eating that diet are getting larger. I feel that the nutritional information would be a great place to start. When people see that the salad, with crispy fried chicken strips, ranch dressing and cheddar cheese dripping from the lettuce contains the same amount of fat and calories as a Big Mac, they might think twice.

Hey, It's a start for those that can't figure out why they can't fit in a compact car.