Ohhh the American Diet

Even though it has been a few weeks now, there has not been a day so far where I have NOT thought about the food culture in America. I am not obese, and do not eat as horrible as some people do, however I must say I am not at all innocent of the American way of eating. Growing up my sister and I were involved in every sport imaginable and ALWAYS active, which resulted in a lot of quick meals.  My mom is a full time teacher and cooking 7 nights a week is a lot to handle with two kids going everywhere for practice! So we were eating fast food, but always active...it's a viscous cycle.
Chicken is one of my favorite things to eat and most likely you will find Tyson products in my freezer. Since watching Food Inc. I have not bought a single Tyson product, and even came home and threw what I had away because I could not get the awful scenes out of my head. I have also avoided places like Wendy's and McDonald's. My problem is, I am a college kid, I have been one who grew up on happy meals and I do not know how to change the cycle. If the food system and slaughter houses in this country are basically all the same service almost all of the food in the country, who is to say that a subway sandwich is really that much better than a MD's burger. I am one who likes my meat and potatoes, and eating fruits and veggies is almost as bad as trying to convince a three year old to eat them. Now, I do eat those healthy foods because I am a division one athlete and I know I need things that are good for me. What I am trying to say I guess is I am not the one who orders a salad for lunch or dinner, and who has granola as a snack in their cabinet. I really want to try and eat better, but with the selection I and all of Americans are offered at Wal-Mart and Meijer I do not know how. It is not like in a state with for seasons and the town of Muncie, IN has fresh farmers markets on every corner.
I guess the best way to eat better is to just do my research, but I do agree the way the food system works is so messed up because we have no idea where the meat or food we are eating even comes from. Even trying to cook green beans or broccoli I have no idea if it's actually "real" anymore.
The other side to this is I have eaten fast food all my life (not all the time), and frozen food, WHILE fighting a life threatening disease TWICE and I am still alive. When I was young I was very sick and at that point the doctors do not really care what you eat and drink as long as you are eating and drinking. So as a six year old I chose McDonald's and Mt. Dew, I mean who wouldn't?? At that point people, the medicines and drugs you are on cause such bad cravings, and most times no cravings so a happy meal is better than a feeding tube. Having said that, having such a bad diet from age six to about twelve, my diet is still messed up.
So overall, Food Inc. caused me to at east think about what I am eating and what I am buying to eat. I just wish there was a better solution for me and other Americans to fix the bad habits that have been created.