SAD: Standard American Diet

The STANDARD AMERICAN DIET, often called the SAD, is the typical eating pattern of most people living in the United States. It is loaded with PROCESSED foods, added SUGARS, unhealthy FATS, and very little fiber or nutrients. Researchers and public health experts have studied this diet extensively and found it is a major driver of chronic illness across the country. The acronym SAD is fitting, because the health outcomes associated with this way of eating are genuinely concerning. Understanding what makes up the SAD is the first step toward making more informed choices for your own wellbeing.