American Eating Habits

Foods/NutritionMs. 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, 1955McDonald'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.

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 ColumbiaCourtesy 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?

source: National Center for Health Statistics

Child Obesity Statistics

source: National Center for Health Statistics

Adult Statistics

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Exhibits

What do you see?