Standard American Diet (SAD)
The Standard American Diet, also known as the SAD Diet, is one that has evolved over time in the United States. It consists of highly processed, hormone and antibiotic-filled meats and dairy products, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. This diet is filled with with high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and would hardly be recognizable as food to past generations. Junk-food, packaged foods, food from vending machines, and fast-food have all become main components of this dietary approach and lifestyle. This diet is low in fiber and plant-based foods, and primarily based on convenience rather than nutrition. This type of diet is not recommended for anyone.
An example of a typical day on this diet:
- Breakfast: muffin, coffee, orange juice
- Snack: bagel and cream cheese
- Lunch: meat sandwich with chips or fast food burger with fries, soda
- Snack: candy bar or other vending machine snack
- Dinner: meat, potatoes, bread, butter, maybe a vegetable
- Dessert: ice cream or pastry
Foods to include:
- Starchy vegetables
- Some high-sugar fruit
- Refined grains
- Meat
- Cured meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Eggs
- Beans
- Dairy
- Nuts and seeds
- Oils
Foods to avoid:
- None
Pros:
- Convenient
- Allows more time to focus on family and relationships
- Little preparation needed
- Easy for busy people and travelers
Cons:
- One of the most commons causes of major diseases like heart disease, liver dysfunction and cancer
- May cause significant weight gain
- May cause chronic fatigue, lethargy, and brain fog
- May cause early death
Source:
Standard American Diet www.askdrsears.com (Links to an external site.)
