Stop Being So Lazy America

Sidney Mintz, in his writing of “Eating American” could not be said more perfectly. Though many Americans do not want to believe in many statements Mintz makes, it is the unfortunate truth. The writing begins with a discussion of how Americans do not come from one background or specific culture. Groups of individuals enjoy different cuisines. For example, while some enjoy Chinese food, others constantly consume Mexican food. One reasoning for this diverse cuisine is due to the enormous amount of immigrated people within America. This creates a problem when America tries to classify their own cuisine. Many think immediately of fast-food restaurants when they hear ‘American food’. “Eating American” presents the commonly discussed dilemma of Americans choosing to eat out way too often. If they are going out to eat, they are getting food delivered or ordering take-out. Overall, this is assuming that Americans ‘do not have the time’ to make home-cooked meals. Their worlds are too busy to take the time to create a healthier food choice option. This is the excuse the majority of America uses when confronted with why they eat out so much. Mintz makes the intelligent conclusion that if these lazy individuals spent more time concerned with their food consumption instead of completely indulged in electronics and more many less valuable activities than maybe American cuisine would not have such an unhealthy reputation.

After reading this writing of Mintz, I am much more aware that America does not have its own personal cuisine. Instead, Americans feed off the cuisines of other cultures. I found this writing to illustrate my beliefs in America’s eating habits almost to a tee. I am certainly not implying that I do not fall guilty of this laziness. I am fully aware of my bad fast-food eating habits as well as my immense time spent watching television and on the computer. However, as we have said multiple times, I, along with the rest of America, will not be able to switch this laziness off automatically. As long as we make the conscious decision to begin to consider our food options more carefully than we are on a good track. One example of this would be for a family to start having a home-cooked meal at least twice a week. Each person has their own unique starting place in order to make this transition successful. Nonetheless, this transition from lazy, constant fast-food eating would also directly and positively affect the high risk Americans have come to obtaining diabetes.

·         Would you be willing to give up some of your time spent with electronics in order to cook more home-cooked meals?

·         Do you agree in the case that America does not have its own cuisine and that it feeds off other cultures?

·         How can Americans individually choose better eating habits? How about as a nation in whole?