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F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future
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Bulbo Urethral Baggins
Banned
I don't think you understand how relevant that is. Have you ever been to a poor country?DominoKid said:
I don't think education on the matter will mean anything. At the end of the day if you put a salad and a piece of pizza in front of a kid chances are extremely high they're going right for the pizza. Most people just don't give a shit.
And I don't blame them for it either. I used to joke around when I was growing up that everything that's good for you tastes like shit. But if you're gonna eat like I did then you better be as active as I was so you don't end up 600 pounds.
And I don't blame them for it either. I used to joke around when I was growing up that everything that's good for you tastes like shit. But if you're gonna eat like I did then you better be as active as I was so you don't end up 600 pounds.
Urban Scholar
Member
Derrick01 said:
This rather true, I eat normal portions and healthier than the rest of my family. I sometimes ask why they don't do it and they often reply with a this tastes too good.
Derrick01 said:
I know a lot of people still have palates of 5-year-olds when they're 4x or 5x that, but the point of this education is not to teach the child but to teach the person. A kid won't care, but after a few years of life experience, what they learned could be valuable.
Arjen
Member
I was seriously shocked at the amount of fast food chains in the US, it's insane.
And at restaurants, the portions you get are sometimes ridiculous, add the free refill for soda's and i'm not suprised by all the fat people.
But i doubt it's going away anytime soon, the fast food chains are so dominant over places where you can a nice normal healthy meal.
And at restaurants, the portions you get are sometimes ridiculous, add the free refill for soda's and i'm not suprised by all the fat people.
But i doubt it's going away anytime soon, the fast food chains are so dominant over places where you can a nice normal healthy meal.
I started to like green vegetables and other "adult" shit when I was in my teens.
I still hate tomatoes though and stay away from pizza and spaghetti usually because of it.
Set down a casserole dish full of steamed butter squash with a little bit of pepper though, and I will devour that stuff.
Most fast food places have some sort of slightly healthier menu though. At least people can go for that if they must have fast food. You can eat grilled chicken instead of fried for example, and have a pretty decent salad with it.
I still hate tomatoes though and stay away from pizza and spaghetti usually because of it.
Set down a casserole dish full of steamed butter squash with a little bit of pepper though, and I will devour that stuff.
Arjen said:
Most fast food places have some sort of slightly healthier menu though. At least people can go for that if they must have fast food. You can eat grilled chicken instead of fried for example, and have a pretty decent salad with it.
Earthstrike
Member
I remember hearing a statistic where an absurdly large portion of the people who eat at mcdonalds and are also low income believe that its cheaper to get meals there then it is to make them themselves. This results to children being raised on fast food.
If more americans understood that this was factually incorrect I think there would be at least some kind of impact on obesity rates.
If more americans understood that this was factually incorrect I think there would be at least some kind of impact on obesity rates.
storafötter
Member
I think this might be relevant to this thread.
Here is some comparison of families from different countries of what they eat.
From a family in North Carolina
Mexico
Ecuador
source:
http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_482785/What_The_World_Eats_-_Shocking_Photos
You can also see that Europeans too eat terrible too, as a fellow European I can say that for sure.
As you can see, we need to seriously fix our diet if we are ever going to change the obesity problem. Ironically poor people eat much better than the middle class throughout the world.
Here is some comparison of families from different countries of what they eat.
From a family in North Carolina
Mexico
Ecuador
source:
http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_482785/What_The_World_Eats_-_Shocking_Photos
You can also see that Europeans too eat terrible too, as a fellow European I can say that for sure.
As you can see, we need to seriously fix our diet if we are ever going to change the obesity problem. Ironically poor people eat much better than the middle class throughout the world.
king picollo
Member
Free liposuctions for all.
Burn the fat as a cheap energy source.
End obesity and the energy crisis in one go.
Burn the fat as a cheap energy source.
End obesity and the energy crisis in one go.
storafötter
Member
daviyoung said:
haha!
Of course these pictures don't represent everyone, but I still find them fascinating showing the cultural differences.
Jason's Ultimatum
Member
Ninja Scooter said:
Hate to break it to you, but juice is bad too. Fucking drink water for christ sakes.
bananaman1234
Unconfirmed Member
Education does matter. People try to lose weight by following some shitty fad diet and then eventually give up when they see no change, blaming their genes. The majority of people don't understand what calories, fats, proteins, and carbs are and don't realize that you need to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight. I've had people tell me they can eat all the _______ they want because it doesn't have _______.Derrick01 said:
XiaNaphryz
LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
No he's right, depending on how many chicken breasts you defrost at once it can easily take quite a while. We get frozen chicken breasts from Costco all the time, defrosting in the microwave can take a long time.SRG01 said:
Masked Man
I said wow
teh_pwn said:
I think that this is probably one of the largest contributing factors to increasing obesity rates in America. That shit is in goddamn near every bit of food that has been packaged or processed. I once saw a jar of applesauce where HFCS was listed before apples--insanity!
In that sense, the overarching problem is--as one might surmise--laziness. People can't take 10 minutes to whip together a simple-yet-tasty stir-fry, so instead they reach for a Hot Pocket. Or, instead of making an easy salad, they jet off to McDonald's, pay too much for a salad filled with ingredients of dubious quality and freshness, and then proceed to drench it with arterie-clogging dressing. Likewise, gyms and other fitness centers are becoming increasingly more accessible, so there is really no excuse for people not to take advantage of them.
isoku said:
Bullshit.
People follow fad diets because they advertise large weight loss for minor changes in diet. It has nothing to do with education and everything to do with path of least resistance. Why change your eating habits for the rest of your life when you can just go on Gillian's 4-Week No Carb/High Fiber diet that will make you lose 20 lbs?
And they have no problems trotting out people who sound and look like doctors to say, sure, this method works.
Eat less, exercise more. Its the simplest formula that is proven to work. But is not sexy or easy compared to the fads.
storafötter
Member
Derrick01 said:
I disagree. We are influenced by our surroundings to think that pizza and burgers is the best damn thing. Those things have their own value, but that doesnt mean they are always above other dishes. If they are, it is due to how we have been educated on food.
I would say it is a rather unfair comparison to put salad and a piece of pizza as a comparison.
Those two type of foods are very different, raw food versus baked and refined food with a lot of ingredients. If you put another dish that had similarities when it came to texture, smell then it would be a more valid comparison. When you just give some leafy green to a child and compare it with Pizza, obviously the smell and flavour of the pizza would stick more out.
You can make different dishes that would be much healthier than pizza and also appeal to the tastebuds without causing the "ew" it is just a salad.
If you educated them more on healthier food, and make them more used to eating different kinds of food they wouldnt just be eating pizza. If you on the other hand just buy them fastfood throughout childhood and never make food at home, they will start to think that everything outside what they have been eating all this time is terrible.
As a child I never got much exposure to Mc Donalds/Burger King. It was expensive where I lived (still is) and most of the food I got was prepared at home. I found the rare exposure to fast food as luxury, but that didnt mean id only want that type of food since I was used to some more diversity.
D
Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
A lot of things about this article and thread really got on my nerves this morning. Its not about money or time, its all about education and knowing how your body works and how nutrition works and most importantly knowing how to cook. Its easy and cheap to eat healthily, any claim to the contrary is just making excuses.. like that guy who down played how cheap and easy a salad is because of how much space lettuce takes up in the refrigerator. Are you fucking kidding me, guy? You ruined my morning with that comment.
AceBandage said:
The protein bars I have contain 20g protein and 2g sugar. The point, though, wasn't that they are the healthiest food on the planet. My point was that they are a lot less likely to make you obese than eating at a fast food restaurant while still being cheap and requiring no preparation.
Jtwo said:
You're ignoring the arguments here. Yes, it can be relatively easy to eat healthier. You know what's even easier than eating healthy? Eating junk food. That's not opinion, that's pure fact. Ordering a pizza, or buying a combo meal, is way easier than cooking a meal. And then we come down to cost. For a single person, yes, cost is not as much a barrier, because, though healthy food is more expensive (yes, it is), its not prohibitive for one or two people. But the price difference for feeding a family of four can get rather significant. This combined with the time investment, because more food to cook means the more time needed.
This is on top of processed food makers deliberately modifying their foods to make them addictive as possible. Salt in soda, extra fat in foods, etc. When you get someone eating bad for several years and then have them try to eat healthy, you actually get some withdrawal symptoms. The body begins to crave the fat and sugars more, not to mention those same people using the food as a mechanism for comforting themselves an fulfillment. And this isn't talking about the outrageous portions being served at restaurants.
Its not really education. Education might be part of the problem, but its minor compared to cost of food, subsidization of junk food, marketing of junk food, and the physical effects of it.
XiaNaphyrz said:
I buy a large pack of chicken breasts on the weekend and cook them all up with different spices on the same day. Then I just throw them in the fridge and pull them out each day when needed. Only got to nuke them for about 2-3 minutes. Cooked food lasts longer than raw. No need to freeze, unless your buying 20 at once. I'm buying 10 and it does fine for me and my better half.
Personally I think part of Americas problem is the suburban lifestyle. Too much reliance on cars and driving from point to point. Since moving to Japan I've lost 20kg without taking time to exercise. Mostly it's just because I have to walk to the train station or ride a bike somewhere. Though my diet has changed a bit since fast food isn't as prevalent here.
XiaNaphryz
LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
Correct, but sometimes you can't for whatever reason (just bought the bag but need to cook right after coming home, no space in the fridge that day, etc). We always try to defrost whatever it is we're cooking by putting it in the fridge the night before, but sometimes we don't have room for it as we like to keep our fridge fully stocked since we cook all the time (easier to restock with more frequent trips to the grocery for less items than fewer trips where you buy a whole lot).kottila said:
bananaman1234
Unconfirmed Member
They follow the path of least resistance, yes, but this is due in part to their lack of knowledge on what is really needed to lose weight in the first place. A person who understands that fad diets won't really do much will be less likely to follow it and instead opt for a healthy diet and exercise.JoeBoy101 said:
D
Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
Its the first step though, none of those things are going to change when 90% of the buying that food have no clue.JoeBoy101 said:
Vicetrailia
Banned
My problem is laziness. I mean I honestly don't have time and when I do have time (weekends) my weekday habits kick in.
I think that my best answer would be getting out of this two full-time job hell, but I'm stuck, I gotta survive.
I was a slim, muscular guy but I've been gaining weight like crazy. I think that Instead of going to McDonalds during my second job I should eat healthy snacks and when I get home in the AM I should eat some more healthy snacks (instead of risk going to a fast food place at 4am). So now I just gotta find the right snacks that don't need to be prepared to eat.
I'm really too lazy to prepare food on the weekday, it isn't happening. The only reason why I eat a decent lunch is because the employees cook for one another, but if I got a new day job then that would probably disappear.
I think that my best answer would be getting out of this two full-time job hell, but I'm stuck, I gotta survive.
I was a slim, muscular guy but I've been gaining weight like crazy. I think that Instead of going to McDonalds during my second job I should eat healthy snacks and when I get home in the AM I should eat some more healthy snacks (instead of risk going to a fast food place at 4am). So now I just gotta find the right snacks that don't need to be prepared to eat.
I'm really too lazy to prepare food on the weekday, it isn't happening. The only reason why I eat a decent lunch is because the employees cook for one another, but if I got a new day job then that would probably disappear.
JoeBoy101 said:
A lower carb diet isn't a fad, and it isn't a temporary diet. It's a lifestyle change. The main difference with eating less carbs is that you won't feel hungry. When you eat lots of protein and fat, your body will naturally feel full much sooner, resulting in a lower caloric intake. If you were to eat just carbs, you would feel starved and miserable.
I started eating better about 3-4 weeks ago. I cut out all sugared drinks. I stopped eating bread and potatoes. I eat to my heart's content, and I've lost 10 lbs in that amount of time. I feel far better, as well.
isoku said:
You give people too much credit. You assume they are honest about their eating habits and weight to themselves. Alot of people will tell themselves, 'Eh, only got to lose 20 lbs.' when they need to lose 50 lbs. People routinely rationalize downwards what is needed so that less effort is required. It has nothing to do about knowing what to do, its having the motivation and discipline to choosing it over easier, faster methods that lead to ping-ponging weight.
TheExodu5 said:
I'm not crapping on low-carb. My Wife, and sister-in-law is currently doing it and getting results. I'm more lenient on the carbs, but have still reduced them, along with portions, and have been getting results. Just trying to give an example of some fake diet name. I don't follow them so I couldn't really name one.
Jtwo said:
See, I think first step is to stop providing incentives for this shit. Get the cost of fresh food normalized and throw some taxes on junk food. I know I hone conservative, but I can respect having some sin taxes (ala tobacco, alcohol, etc).
People wonder why they go to McDonalds and eat a super sized meal and are hungry an hour later. There's no fiber. Not enough protein. Not enough fat. McDonald's is like 70% carbs.
Can you eat a super sized BigMac combo? That's about 1500 calories.
You know how much prime rib steak it takes to make up 1500 calories? 48oz.
What's easier, eating a 48oz steak, or a BigMac combo?
Eating the right foods will make you feel full much faster.
Yeah, I can't cut carbs out completely either...I'd feel a teeny tiny bit miserable without them. My cheat day usually involved a nice plate of spagetti. But still, cutting carbs down from 400-500g a day down to 100g a day and replacing that with fat and protein is quite easy to maintain, and gives some great results.
Can you eat a super sized BigMac combo? That's about 1500 calories.
You know how much prime rib steak it takes to make up 1500 calories? 48oz.
What's easier, eating a 48oz steak, or a BigMac combo?
Eating the right foods will make you feel full much faster.
JoeBoy101 said:
Yeah, I can't cut carbs out completely either...I'd feel a teeny tiny bit miserable without them. My cheat day usually involved a nice plate of spagetti. But still, cutting carbs down from 400-500g a day down to 100g a day and replacing that with fat and protein is quite easy to maintain, and gives some great results.
crazygambit
Member
Buckethead said:
I think a lot of people have limited time to have lunch at work and can't really afford to drive home, cook a meal, eat it in time and drive back to work. So cooking for a lot of people is completely out of the question during weekdays.
You just have to grab something quick and convenient and that almost always is fast food.
Interfectum
Gold Member
CrankyJay said:
No, we don't. Healthy food is cheaper. Fast food is easier.
Not sure if this was brought up, but we really, really need to start teaching kids in middle and high school how to cook. Sure they should know nutrition and learn all that, but I think they really need to teach cooking to everyone in middle school. I know parents of boys will get all up in arms about it, but you know what, everyone should know how to cook basic things for themselves. Most people will use that more than some of the math or science they teach in middle and high school. I wish I had learned to cook. I've picked up a bit here and there from my wife in the last five and can whip up some decent things, but I'd be much further if I had more of a background from schooling. To me I think it's a large part of the problem because if you don't know how even the most easy thing to cook becomes a much more daunting task than it really ought to be, and then you'll pick the McDonald's or Pizza Hut almost every time.
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
Find me a better deal than 12 packs of ramen for $1.88 or .28 cent packages of macaroni and cheese.Interfectum said:
SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
That food is light on fiber so it doesn't stick to your ribs, so to speak. You'd be better off with stuff like brown rice, beans and oats.water_wendi said:
TheExodu5 said:
Not enough fat in that prime rib. Fat can be addicting, and more you consume, the more you want. You are absolutely right, but regardless, that, among other reasons (time, cost, etc.), is why people go for the Big Mac combo. Hell, don't even have to leave the car to buy and eat it.
RDreamer said:
Actually, that is education that can help. Proper cooking. So many people these days don't even know how to cook, grill, etc.
Vicetrailia
Banned
So how about a snack based diet? I wonder if it would be more expansive than eating on a meal based diet.
crazygambit said:
I disagree. Now, I'm lazy and buy lunch, but I have no excuse. On Sunday: take 5 lbs of chicken breast and fry/grill them. Steam 2-3 lbs of brocolli. That should take maybe what, 30 minutes? There are your lunches for the week.
JoeBoy101 said:
There appears to be overwhelming evidence at this point that dietary fat is not bad for you at all, though. The point is, after eating maybe 16oz of steak, you're going to be feeling quite full. That's closer to 500-600 calories, instead of 1500 calories for that BigMac combo.
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
Everyone in the US also has this. Usually both in middle school and high school. There usually two classes as well.. a home economics class and a nutritional science class.GCX said:
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