[Sausage or carrot--spoilt for choice].

As far as healthy food is concerned, it cannot be categorized simply as "good" or "bad" since its effect on health depends mainly on the amount and method consumed. Today's recommendations include a diversified diet, a diet which targets energy-balance and provides all nutrients necessary. Living in an affluent society aggravates healthy choices because of a constantly available, large assortment of food items. In general, the way food is prepared these days has changed a lot: mainly, the energy content has constantly increased, while the fiber and natural micronutrient concentrations decreased. Food items with a high energy yield, containing a lot of fat and sugar, affects our energy balance, which may lead to diseases of affluence such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and some kinds of tumors.

Sich in einer Überflussgesellschaft gesund zu ernähren, wo praktisch jedes Lebensmittel jederzeit zur Verfügung steht, ist schwierig. Es erstaunt deshalb auch nicht, dass gestörtes Essverhalten und Fehlernährung häufige Probleme in industrialisierten Ländern sind. Während die Prävalenz des Untergewichtes in der Schweiz mit rund 3.5 % der Bevölkerung relativ konstant ist, nehmen Übergewicht und Adipositas stetig zu.