Fast Food and Americans' Weights

[SummerChild]

Originally Posted by tld221

you dont have to feel sorry for him, hell i dont.

but eating healthy isnt just about "wanting to do better." there's a mindset and lifestyle change that goes along with weight loss and healthy eating that most people cant get with, mostly because of the food that's available (and not available) to them. when i'm at home, my supermarket options are Fine Fare and Key Food (which are pretty low-end supermarkets). however when i'm on campus/in school, i can get to a Food Emporium, a Whole Foods and even a Trader Joe's, not to mention an abundance of fruit and veggie stands. so even the industry is saying, "f*ck the po' folks, they can't afford to eat better so we wont even give them the option."

Hi Tld221, has it been your experience that the supermarkets that you describe as "low-end" do not carry healthy food like vegetables, fruit, etc.? I ask b/c although I too have noticed a difference in what neighborhoods have Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, I still feel like even the "low-end" supermarkets carry basic essentials for healthy eating (it may not be as extensive or creative as Whole Foods or Trader Joe's) - but perhaps some actually do not carry those basic essentials.


SC

[RedefinedDiva]

I think that every market carries the "basics," but, as someone previously stated, the problem begins with preparation. I can testify to it because I have been guilty of it in the past. Sure, you can buy all the ingredients for a salad and make it nice and pretty, however, when you DROWN it in high fat/high calorie dressings, you defeat the purpose. The same goes for veggies. It makes no difference if you smother spinach, squash, greens, etc. in a ton of butter. It all starts with preparation. We have to find alternative means to prepare our food.

It is a cop out to blame the fast food industry for the way America looks. They make money by providing you with convenience. The same is true for any company that has its items sold in stores. How many people take the time to read the nutritional facts on a package? Not many. Since I have become conscience of watching my weight, I read packages like a hawk. I can spend nearly two hours in the market because I have to read every single thing that I pick up. Everyone doesn't do that. You would be surprised at how some common items that we pick up are LOADED with junk. For instance, I had to throw away an entire bag of frozen chicken breasts a few days ago because I read the packaging.

Aside from the markets and your average fast food restaurant, we have to also take into account some of our more "higher" end restaurants. I only attempt to patronize restaurants that provide its nutritional info on the internet or in restaurant. That way, I can determine what I WON'T eat before I get there and won't be tempted by pictures on the menu, fancy descriptions or aromas. And I know that people go to restaurants and order salads, thinking that it's the most friendly items on the menu. NOT! Some salads are insanely high in fat BEFORE the dressing even hits it.

We have to start teaching our kids how to make better food choices and we have to set the example. It can be done.

[AKA_Monet]

From the Seattle Times

Studies have documented that overeating and a lack of exercise are fueling America's high obesity rates. Researchers have developed a list of 10 other often-overlooked factors. They include:
Sleep deprivation, which boosts hunger;

Pollution and chemicals, which can disrupt hormones;

Heating and air conditioning, which prevent us from burning maximum calories;

Decreased smoking rates;

Use of antidepressants, steroids, contraceptives and other medications;

An aging population, as well as larger populations of ethnic groups that are more prone to obesity;

Older women bearing children, which increases the risk the offspring will be overweight;

Ancestry — in animal studies, rats that overate produced heavier pups, an effect that continued for three generations;

Higher fertility among slightly overweight women, who may reproduce more and pass obesity to their children;

Opposites don't attract, meaning individuals tend to mate with people of a similar body type.

Source: Dr. David Allison; International Journal of Obesity

Aside from the smoking , the rest sort of make sense... Interesting to say the least...

[AKA_Monet]

There was a recent report that even if folks do read labels we don't heed their statements...

The other issue is age. Biologically, we redistribute our fat content as we age, especially after giving childbirth for women. For men, they get the gut. For women, we will get the gut pretty much after menopause along with the thighs.

I think for women it is the sugar/salt intake that is damaging. Whereas, for the men it is the fat intake. Then overnutrition or increase caloric intake without much exercise and other risk factors become the same as one ages...

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Aside from the smoking , the rest sort of make sense... Interesting to say the least...

Perhaps the reference is to when people quit smoking they eat more, and also that smoking is an appetite supressant, so those who don't smoke eat more and are going to be over weight?

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Perhaps the reference is to when people quit smoking they eat more, and also that smoking is an appetite supressant, so those who don't smoke eat more and are going to be over weight?

Though this is true, I would rather be overweight than to develop lung cancer and/or emphysema. Stuff like that being on the list is what encourages people to start and/or continue smoking. "I might have an iron lung, but I've never been thinner in all my life!"

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by RedefinedDiva

Though this is true, I would rather be overweight than to develop lung cancer and/or emphysema. Stuff like that being on the list is what encourages people to start and/or continue smoking. "I might have an iron lung, but I've never been thinner in all my life!"

There's a new ad campaign out that is targeting women and the issues of smoking and weight loss. I can't remember the exact wording, but there'd be a statement such as "bikinis, or breat cancer?" "low riders or emphysema" etc and so on. Being overweight has problems, but with diet and exercise some of those problems can be reversed or delayed, not so with smoking and getting rid of the lines around the face or lung damage.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

There's a new ad campaign out that is targeting women and the issues of smoking and weight loss. I can't remember the exact wording, but there'd be a statement such as "bikinis, or breat cancer?" "low riders or emphysema" etc and so on. Being overweight has problems, but with diet and exercise some of those problems can be reversed or delayed, not so with smoking and getting rid of the lines around the face or lung damage.

i dont know if youre location is accurate, but if youre on the west coast, this ad campaign seems fitting, because 2 (of the many) things i noticed when i visited was the difference in body sizes and smoking, as in people are thinner and/or fitter (overall more health conscious) and lots less smoking (didnt walk through any smoke clouds)

[/hijack]

[FeeFee]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

Perhaps the reference is to when people quit smoking they eat more, and also that smoking is an appetite supressant, so those who don't smoke eat more and are going to be over weight?

I believe smoking also dulls the tastes buds in your tongue. Once you quit smoking, those taste buds are rejuvenated, if you will - making food "taste better". There's probably some underlying oral fixation going on as well.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Hi Tld221, has it been your experience that the supermarkets that you describe as "low-end" do not carry healthy food like vegetables, fruit, etc.? I ask b/c although I too have noticed a difference in what neighborhoods have Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, I still feel like even the "low-end" supermarkets carry basic essentials for healthy eating (it may not be as extensive or creative as Whole Foods or Trader Joe's) - but perhaps some actually do not carry those basic essentials.


SC

as mentioned, even "low end" supermarkets carry the basic essentials, but take note in the quality of the fruit and veggies. no one wants shriveled oranges, spoiled grapes, dirty broccoli, dented tomatos, etc. and then there isnt even the option of organic or not. its funny cause when i would watch TV and see people eat fruit straight off the produce aisle, i'd be soo grossed out, but i guess if you are in nicer supermarkets, the produce prolly is that clean to eat like that.

same with choices in dairy and meat - if leaner portions are available theyre scarce, close to expiration, and tend to be marked up to the point that the average shopper is naturally gonna be drawn to the cheaper (and not healthier) option.

more bang for the buck is the name of the game as well, which is probably what this overweight man in the fish fry spot is thinking. aint no salad gonna quench his appetite like deep fried fish and chicken.