The Changing Global DietI Most wor

The Changing Global Diet

I Most words in the English language have more than one simple or basic meaning. One example is the word diet. The most general definition of the noun is “a person’s or a group’s usual food choices and habits.” In a more specific definition, diet means “an eating plan with only certain kinds or amounts of food.” For instance, a diet is often a plan to lose weight. And as a verb, diet means “go on a diet.”
II All over the world, the global diet includes fast food-prepared items from inexpensive restaurants, snack bars, or food stands. Some examples of typically American fast food are hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, fried chicken, and so on. Some types of international fast foods might be German sausage and schnitzel, Italian pizza and pasta, Mexican tacos and burritos, Middle Eastern shish kabob and falafel, Japanese sushi and tempura, Chinese eggrolls and noodles, and the like. The variety of fast food available on the planet is growing. Even so, this kind or style of nourishment is becoming universal, or worldwide. Fast-food places usually prepare and serve the items quickly. Many are part of fast-food chains (eating places with the same name and company owner). For instance, the biggest and most famous American fast-food chain serves hamburgers in every continent on the planet except Antarctica. In over 120 different countries, its 25,000 eating places have the same look. They have similar atmosphere. The menu items may not be exactly alike from one culture to another, but the style and taste of the foods don’t differ much.
III For several reasons, many people choose fast food. First, it is quick and convenient. Second, it is cheaper than special home-cooked meals or formal restaurant dinners. And third, it is identical in every eating place with the same company name. The atmosphere and style of most fast-food places is casual, comfortable, and similar. So why do other eaters dislike or stay away from this fast, easy kind of nourishment? The main reason is its low nutritional value. Fats food doesn’t contain large amounts of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and the like-elements necessary for good nutrition and health. In contrast, most types of fast food have a lot of fat, cholesterol, sugar, or salt in them. Possibly, these substances can cause or increase health disorders, like heart disease, strokes, and some kinds of cancer.
IV Some people believe food should be perfectly fresh and “natural.” According to natural food eaters, fast food is not good for human beings. They don’t believe convenience foods-canned, frozen, or packaged in other ways-are very nutritious either. On the other hand, these quick and easy kinds of worldwide nourishment are generally getting better and more healthful. For instance, many fast food restaurants now have salad bars and put vegetable items on their menus. In some places, customers can get fish or veggieburgers instead of hamburgers, and grilled chicken instead of fried. Also, some newer kinds of packaged and prepared food contain less fat, cholesterol, sugar, or salt than before. Of course, people everywhere like to snack on junk food (candy, cookies, potato chips, ice cream, and other things without much nutritional value). For health and sales reasons, some snack food companies are producing packaged items with less fat, sugar, or salt. And nutrition bars-snacks with a lot of protein, vitamins, and other nourishing food elements-are becoming more widely available.
V Of course, human beings around the world don’t always eat in fast-food places. They don’t buy only canned, frozen, or packaged convenience items from stores or machines. A few families are producing food on their own, but most people buy it from markets in their communities. Some choose only natural food, items without chemical substances. Many families prepare good meals at home. Other people are restaurants customers. Universally, more meals include the basic necessary food elements-protein, carbohydrates and fats. A greater number of dishes contain the necessary vitamins and minerals. Almost everywhere, some kind of meat, fish, dairy product, or another protein food is part of a good breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are also grains, breads, vegetables, fruit, and the like. The variety of food choices is large now and is probably going to increase. The number of food preparation methods is growing too. Cooking customs, eating habits, and food preferences all over the world are becoming more healthful. In these and other ways, the global diet is changing.