Messy History of American Food

America's go-to breakfast has withstood the test of time, but from mascots to masturbation, the story of cereal is anything but dry. What began as a wholesome health food has evolved into a multibillion-dollar business with questionable health claims.

The story behind burgers, the cornerstone of American food culture, is way messier than you think, involving sexploitation, climate change and Frankenstein. But despite its serious problems, will Americans ever be ready to give up their beloved hamburger?

In the beginning, soda was touted to have medicinal properties. Ironically, the sugary beverage is now linked to widespread problems like diabetes, obesity and pollution that cost America billions.

The rich tradition of bread in America can be traced to the Colonial era, and its evolution since then has been intertwined with organized crime, xenophobia, disease and genocide. But there is hope for the future!

Chicken wings have been an American institution for decades, but the truth behind their origin is as messy as the sauce they're doused in. We're digging into the controversies and tracking the spicy history of this popular menu item.

America has been seduced by chocolate, but the decadent sweetheart is darker than you think and leaves a bitter aftertaste. From the conquistadors to slavery to child labor and beyond, the story of chocolate is messy.