Stop frying EVERYTHING

It's long been known that fried foods are a leading cause of heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol, and a myriad of other health problems. The southern U.S. is the mecca, the crown jewel of fried foods. Here in the south (I live in Arkansas) we have fried fish, chicken, steak, twinkies, snickers, turkeys, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. A recent health study indicated the most and least healthy states in the U.S. No surprise the south carried the banner for obesity and unhealthy living. Here is the study http://health.msn.com/mens-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100268475&GT1=31060

Now obviously I don't think we can blame just one factor for these embarrassing statistics. The fact that in the south we live a lazier lifestyle, less walking more driving, worse education, not just about nutrition but in general, in combination with the fact that most peoples diets are some of the least nutritious there are, can only really have one result. A big part of the problem is that most people seem to simply not care. Or if they would care they haven't been properly educated about the dangers of unhealthy eating. A stark reality is that you cannot make someone educate themselves. With the state of American obesity you would think the results would be painfully obvious. But people have shown an amazing ability to deny facts which do not support their previously held notions and beliefs. The fact is the fried foods, foods high in fat and cholesterol, and largely meat diets are the norm, they are simply part of the southern culture. That does not make it an excuse however. If we as a nation are to become healthier, especially those of us in the bible belt, (and what a large belt it must be) we have to change our culture.

The foods of convenience cannot be the foods of choice. I could sit around all day and blame the food industry as a whole. And trust me I have more than a few qualms with them. After a little of my own personal research I decided that I would become a vegetarian a little less than a year ago. I wish I had done it much sooner. But the fact is that the food companies simply will do whatever makes them the most money. That is how capitalism is set up. In order to be healthy in this day and age one must make calculated and informed decisions about what they put into their bodies. So, in the end, the onus is on the individual to be healthy. No one will make you exercise or make healthy food decisions. YOU have to do it. Or not. Its really up to you. Just ask yourself, "How long would I like to live? What kind of quality of life would I like to have?"