Platinum Television Groups Great Taste" to feature Healthy Eating series

Americans need to slow down to eat better

Deerfield Beach, FL (PRWEB) February 13, 2004 -Its no secret that weight gain and all the ensuing health problems it entails have become the number one concern of most Americans. Not only are meals supersized" these days—all those calories have to go somewhere!
With nearly 40 million Americans today considered obese, and at least 300,000 dying annually from obesity-related diseases, weight loss is no longer a choice—it is an imperative for many. Everyone tries out some kind of diet. Discovering an alternative to the fast food" mentality—hurry up and gobble on the run—becomes a necessity.

In fact, even fast food and large chain conglomerates are running with the trend for healthier meals—and slowing things down a bit. It takes longer to eat a salad, and one cannot do so while driving a car or walking to an appointment. Yet all the major fast food emporiums now offer salads: Wendys, McDonalds and Burger King. McDonalds began using pure white meat in its chicken niblets; Burger King offers more alternatives to burgers. Ruby Tuesdays has a new health conscious" menu with alternatives like mashed cauliflower (that resembles and tastes like mashed potato) and steamed broccoli as sides, and they have long had a salad bar with relatively healthy choices. Low-calorie salad dressings have become as natural as diet soda these days.

But there have always been those who go even farther—and their numbers are growing-- who avoid artificial sweeteners and prefer the natural route to good health: fruits, vegetables and natural" unprocessed foods. And the choices for them remain wide: macrobiotic foods, vitamins, homemade and home-canned foods, slow" foods that take some preparation time.

In many cultures, enjoying a leisurely meal together is still part of the way of life, at least once a day. But it is becoming a rare opportunity in American society, what with all the distractions and busyness of conflicting schedules, working mothers, and active families. There are also many more single adults these days who prefer not to eat alone—or if they do, they dont consider it dining."

In contrast, there is an organization called Slow Food U.S.A. that recognizes ecologically sound food production, the revival of the kitchen and the table as centers of pleasure, culture and community and actively supports the enjoyment of wholesome food as essential to happiness and healthiness. It is part of an international movement in more than 45 countries that has at least 65,000 supporters.
Great Tastes Healthy Eating series--in conjunction with advisory board members American Culinary Federation, Travel Industry Association, AARP and Resort Developers Association--will focus on: Back to the basics. Healthy alternatives to the fast food" mentality will be highlighted and focused on. All the new trends in eating will be considered and discussed. It will offer informative choices to American families who care about their health and lifestyle.
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