The quality of available food in the US is a big part of the problem. A recent TED speaker postulates 74% of food in the average US grocery store is spiked with added sugar [1]. We also eat too few vegetables and too much meat in our diets. And those foods are often raised with harmful pesticides and hormones respectively.

I am a discerning shopper, avoid fast food and still get surprised by food that is not good for me. For instance, I put a tiny amount of unflavored, low-fat half & half in my coffee in the morning. I checked the label today and see that it contains corn syrup. In my head, it was just skim milk and cream. Silly me.

[1] http://www.npr.org/2016/11/18/502171330/how-worried-should-w...