Final answer:
Though American dietary staples initially included multiple courses, modern American dinners often deviate from this structure due to a faster lifestyle and convenience culture, with frozen meals and fast food being common.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement “A typical American meal consists of an appetizer, entree, and dessert” can be considered both true and false, depending on the context. While American dietary staples established by European immigrants included multiple courses in a meal, modern American eating habits have shifted. The fast pace of life and the advent of material affluence in post-war America led to the rise of frozen meals and the phenomenon of the “TV dinner,” as described in Figure 28.16.
Busy lifestyles have also resulted in an increase in fast food consumption. Therefore, although a typical American meal might traditionally consist of an appetizer, entree, and dessert, the current reality is that many Americans opt for convenience, whether it be fast food or frozen meals that do not necessarily follow this structure. Furthermore, the argument that all desserts are sweet and some sweet foods are low fat, thus concluding that all desserts are low fat, is a logical fallacy.
Not every sweet food is low in fat, and desserts can vary greatly in terms of their fat content. Finally, the trend towards fast food consumption despite being under pressure can still occasionally allow for a nutritious meal, contrary to popular belief.