Gordon finds that the consumption of calories from food in the US changed very little from 1800 to around 1970 but since then has risen by about one-third the consumption of calories from food in the US began rising after the Civil War with the mechanization of farming and the end of slavery and has steadily risen ever since the consumption of calories from food was four times higher for the wealthiest 20 percent compared to the poorest 20 percent during the Guilded age the consumption of calories from food has shifted from sea food to grains to meat in the 220 years since 1800

Gordon finds that the consumption of calories from food in the US changed very little from 1800 to around 1970 but since then has risen by about one-third the consumption of calories from food in the US began rising after the Civil War with the mechanization of farming and the end of slavery and has steadily risen ever since the consumption of calories from food was four times higher for the wealthiest 20 percent compared to the poorest 20 percent during the Guilded age the consumption of calories from food has shifted from sea food to grains to meat in the 220 years since 1800