Concerns and dangers of packaged and fast foods and how they can contribute to weight and health problems.

When we look at the various types of food on offer today and how they are prepared and packaged and how the fast food industry has monopolised our lives and eating habits, then it is not hard to understand why, there is a weight problem globally.

There is a concern about healthcare systems not being able to handle the overload of patients. How numerous hospitals are forced to close due to the cost of running them. People having to travel long distances for hospital appointments and tests. Well, a lot of these health problems are, a result of the patient being overweight.

A number of health problems are related to weight, for example diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure. Over weight people have a lot more strain on their body, which leads to further health problems.

It is time to take action and stop the bulge. Maintaining a healthy weight will take the strain off your body, lessening the risk of health problems.

One of the better places to start is in the schools. Educate the children of today to fix the problem of tomorrow.

The government in Britain has claimed, junk food will be wiped off the menu to undo decades of neglect. In the most sweeping changes for years there will be strict limits on foods high in salt and fat.

Children will be limited to two portions of chips or deep fried food a week and served at least two portions of fruit and vegetables with every meal.

Junk food sales in American schools are out of control. It undercuts the investment in school meal programs and steers kids toward a future of obesity and diet-related health problems.

When parents send their children to school with lunch or money, instead of the child having a healthy meal, they can go to the vending machines and have snickers or cheesies or chrisps/potatoe chips. Can we just stand by idly while our kids are preyed upon by a junk-food industry, wanting to profit?

Children are encouraged to have these foods, as televison commercials target childrens channels, and they partner with large toy manufacturers to offer a toy in their kids meals. The health of our young people is not an area for compromise.

Rising health care costs due to obesity-related illness put the nation's economy in jeopardy. In 2000, obesity cost the American nation an estimated $117 billion, much of which was borne by employers. This obesity epidemic is affecting business and driving up the cost of health care, which then puts a strain on business owners. This then leads to companies having to cut jobs to combat the rising cost of health care.

Its time to look at the foods consumed. Getting back to basics and looking at the value of whole foods, compared to ready made packaged food and fast foods. Packaged and ready made meals as well as fast foods can costs less however, the long term cost on your health is far more important.

Ready made food, packaged, refined foods and junk/fast foods all have preservatives, with more sodium, sugar and fat than is necessary. It is true these all contribute to taste however, there are much healthier ways to flavour your meals. Fresh herbs and spices, and I do not mean the hot ones, are great for flavour. Healthy eating does not have to be boring, what with the way food is transported today there is such a variety on the market, to help you create exciting meals. Getting back to cooking and using whole foods you know exactly what you are getting. You control how the food is cooked and what it added.

Now is the time to get back to basics, when it comes to foods and health. In order to lose weight you need to rid your body of foods that are sluggish and get your bodys fat burning process up and running again. To do this, you need to consume whole foods. The quantity of food eaten during any meal is crucial for proper digestion, balanced nutrition and for weight control.

In a recently Dear Abby column, Boston Tribune, April 2006, a mother expressed her concern about the danger of packaged foods. In this instance an expired pancake mix which she unknowingly fed to her son, who then became very ill. Apparently a mold can grow in the mix and then if consumed, can be extremely dangerous even deadly.

People tend to express making anything from scratch, as too time consuming and difficult, but this is just not so. For example, pancakes ready made package mix versus made from scratch. With the ready made mixture you measure out the necessary amount then add the measured liquid and egg if required. From scratch, you measure out the necessary flour, which can be either plain or wholegrain, add the liquid and egg. Either way you have a pancake. The scratch method is no more time consuming and is a healthier option.

Hence, is now not the right time to take action and control your health, weight and the health and weight of your family?

If you are serious about losing weight and healthy living then it is time to look at your eating habits and what foods you are eating.