You Are What You Eat

Does the above statement mean you are fast, cheap, and easy (or greasy)? If so, you are not alone. Reports indicate that only 14% of Americans are eating the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. And we're not even going to go into the fact that french fries make up 46% of vegetable intake among children. Into that mix, add 200 pounds of worthless white flour, 160 pounds of refined sugar, and three pounds of salt, and it's no wonder we eat nearly 2700 calories a day!

And the worst part? It isn't really all that GOOD.

If I was to seek out the country with the greatest food in the world, France and Italy would be at the top of most people's lists. Nobody would EVER accuse the French or Italian diet of being restrictive. And yet, these countries average a caloric intake of 2100 and 2200 calories, respectively. How do they do it?

In most of Europe, meals are events and food is something to be savored and appreciated. It's about quality and enjoyment, not quantity and speed. They spend 15-17% of their personal budgets on food, vs. our 12%. They average 7-10 ounces of wine a day vs. our 19 ounces of soda. And of course, fast food is right out. Sure, I saw more than one McDonald's when I lived in Germany for three years, but the role of fast food was very different from here. It was a novelty and a fad, and even there, the food was much smaller and much healthier.

So if you're tired of being fast, cheap, and greasy, why not take a note from the Italians? If you are what you eat, Hedonism is all about being fresh, rich, and satisfying.