It's lists like this that make me pause, think, and know that I'm on the right path. If this is how the average American gets his or her calories, it is no wonder we are becoming an obese nation!
Top 10 Sources of Calories Among Americans Ages 18 Years and Older.
1. Grain-based desserts ("Includes cake, cookies, pie, cobbler, sweet rolls, pastries, and doughnuts")
2. Yeast breads
3. Chicken and chicken mixed dishes
4. Soda/energy/sports drinks
5. Alcoholic beverages
6. Pizza
7. Tortillas, burritos, tacos
8. Pasta and pasta dishes
9. Beef and beef mixed dishes
10. Dairy desserts
Funny/Sad point of irony: Salad dressing is number 25, but vegetables and fruits don't make the list, other than in the form of "Fried white potatoes" (number 16) and "Fruit drinks" (number 24, not to be confused with 100 percent fruit juice, its own item).
The top 10 for children and adolescents 2-18:
1. Grain-based desserts ("Includes cake, cookies, pie, cobbler, sweet rolls, pastries, and donuts")
2. Pizza
3. Soda/energy/sports drinks
4. Yeast breads
5. Chicken and chicken mixed dishes
6. Pasta and pasta dishes
7. Reduced fat milk
8. Dairy desserts
9. Potato/corn/other chips
10. Ready-to-eat cereals
From the USDA 2010 Dietary Guidelines: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/DietaryGuidelines/2010/PolicyDoc/PolicyDoc.pdf