How do these diet differences between our cultures make such a tremendous impact on health?

If Americans adapted a Mediterranean eating style, would we be at decreased risk for degenertive diseases like heart disease and cancer? ( the Mediterranean vs. the USDA Food Guide Pyramids below %26amp; compare and contrast both pyramids before responding )How do these diet differences between our cultures make such a tremendous impact on health?
Most of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet can be attributed to the use of natural, unprocessed ingredients. Olive oil instead of hydrogenated fats (shortening). Fresh vegetables, whole grain breads, and moderate intake of seafood, dairy (cheese, yogurt), and wine.



The Mediterranean diet was a response against the 1988 U.S. Surgeon General's report stating fat was bad for you. Doctors looked at patients with heart disease, and noted they were fat, and their diets were full of fat. Ergo, fat was bad. In fact, if you ate no fat you would slowly starve to death with a full stomach. Fat is absolutely necessary to metabolize proteins.



The problem with fat was the type of fat we were (are) eating. Hydrogenated fats were in every processed food, and most of what we ate is processed. You would be better off eating pie crust made with lard than with shortening. You are better off eating butter than margarine which has more trans-fatty acids.



Hydrogenated fat and TFA contribute to heart disease by raising bad (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. The other main contributor to heart disease in Americans is a sedentary lifestyle. We don't do enough physical exercise! Exercise reduces LDL cholesterol. That's why there is no substitue for eating right and exercising.How do these diet differences between our cultures make such a tremendous impact on health?
**** uHow do these diet differences between our cultures make such a tremendous impact on health?
idk what food guide pyramids your talking about, since you didn't post the links as far as I can see.



But no, I don't think it would matter. If people would follow the food guide pyramid, then it would be fine. Trying to change the pyramid won't get people to change their eating habits.How do these diet differences between our cultures make such a tremendous impact on health?
america's health problems aren't just the type of food -- though it's a big part of it -- but the quantity. look at what most people consider a normal portion and you'll understand why we're so overweight. plus the fact that we don't do much exercise, drive to the corner for a quart of milk, etc. no wonder we're in the shape we're in.
i hav no clue