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Burgers and fries and super size it! Oh, my! Eating fast foods and dining out more than a few times a week is no yellow brick road. It's more like a road of plaque filled arteries that will lead down a path of heart problems.

In the United States obesity and poor nutrition is a growing epidemic. There are advertisements promoting discounted gym memberships, floods of magic diet pill commercials and magazine articles on the latest weight loss trends. If that isn't enough to prove we have a serious health problem then the fact that a new term has been coined to describe our unique gustatory preferences just might do the trick.

Yes, that's right the American diet has a name of its own. A recent study published in the January 22 issue of Circulation revealed findings focused on the eating patterns of Americans. The study refers to our eating pattern as the "Western diet." The dietary pattern includes foods that are high in refined grains, eggs, processed meat, fried food, red meat and soda.

A poor diet indeed for the majority of the country. But, we can certainly get back on track by making healthier lifestyle choices. For starters, people need to incorporate better eating habits and an exercise regimen to their routine. Another step in the right direction is making sure your food intake includes the essential vitamins and minerals. Most Americans are rushed these days with work, family and other obligations. So getting the necessary nutrients may not be possible at times. That's when it is time to make a trip to our local drugstore for some multivitamins. But, remember multivitamins are supplements to your diet and should not be used to replace good eating habits.

Multivitamins provide your body with the important nutrients it needs for growth, repair, function and support. Not sure what vitamins and minerals you need. Take a look at this helpful guide to jump start your way to a healthier and stronger you!

Guide to Vitamins:

Vitamin A is needed for good vision and the immune system. Some sources come from cod liver oil, dairy, carrots and leafy vegetables.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) can be found in whole-grain products or cereals and helps with the breakdown of carbohydrates.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is in meats, breads, fortified cereals, almonds and asparagus. It assists in the production of red blood cells and processes many drugs.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is contained in foods such as tuna, turkey, enriched flour, fortified cereals, salmon and helps to digest food and assists

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