American Eating Habits Foods/Nutrition Ms. Ort

What eating trends were there 100 years ago? Americans farmed their lands eating what they produced. Any extra was canned, preserved or sold for extra income if possible. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

What about 50 years ago? Birdseye frozen food display, 1950s Culinary Archives and Museum, Johnson & Wales University Clarence Birdseye, while on an expedition in the Artic, discovered a way of quick freezing food that limited the loss of essential juices of food. Upon his return he perfected the process of freezing vegetables that could be stored for several months and still taste like it’s fresh counterparts when prepared. Thus the introduction of the first frozen foods. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

What about today?

American trends today. Today, Americans are inundated with images from fast food chains enticing you to come in and eat at their establishment. Look in any city in America and you will find at least one fast food restaurant. What would you consider the most widely recognized logo?

McDonald’s The first McDonald's, Des Plaines, Illinois, 1955 McDonald's Corporation

History of McDonalds McDonald's: The All-American Meal In 1955, Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise in suburban Chicago. His advertising slogan was "The All American Meal:" a $.15 hamburger ($.04 extra for cheese), $.10 fries, and a $.20 shake. This cheap, kid-friendly meal could be served to families at a speedy 25 seconds a meal. Eventually, Kroc bought the entire company and started one of the oldest brand name restaurants in America. From the Library of Congress collection – “500 Years of American Food”

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Other trends In earlier times families would spend their meals together. This allowed families to keep up on what is going on in each other’s lives. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs

How about today? Does your family sit down together to share a meal? Or are your lives so busy that many meals are eaten alone?

What about future trends? Astronaut sorts out food on the Space Shuttle Columbia Courtesy of: NASA

Future Trends (cont) Will our food supply be like that of the NASA astronauts? Freeze dried foods Tang Orange drink Will foods be more organically grown fruits and vegetables? What can you think of?

Child Obesity Statistics source: National Center for Health Statistics

source: National Center for Health Statistics Adult Statistics source: National Center for Health Statistics

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Exhibits What do you see? Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Exhibits