Western Pattern Diet

A diet comprised of refined and sugary foods and heavy on red meat consumption, the Western Pattern Diet is a name used to describe the typical diet eaten by many people in developed countries. This diet is also known as the meat-sweet diet or the “Standard American Diet” when used to describe the food consumption of those living in the USA. The Western Pattern Diet is considered to be one of the primary causes of America’s skyrocketing obesity rates and the increase in weight-related illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes. It is increasingly linked to the development of certain cancers as well, specifically colon cancer.
Dieticians and nutritionists in the medical community have expressed stern condemnation for this type of diet and its reliance on starches, refined flour, sugar, fried foods, convenience foods, and take-out. A lack of portion control and sedentary lifestyles worsen the health impact of this type of diet on many individuals. For example, dieters following a Western Pattern Diet might eat eggs and bacon for breakfast with a doughnut or pancakes and whole milk, a cheeseburger, fries and soda for lunch; and a steak accompanied by a potato for dinner. Fruits and vegetables and whole grains are generally not a major component of this type of diet plan, and most people on the Western Pattern Diet snack on cookies and chips instead of on fruit.
While many people in the Western world are beginning to become increasingly aware of the health effects of their diet and the need for change, the diet is spreading to many developing countries that are beginning to have similar obesity and health concerns.