Kitchen

[italia8140]

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@millieshops wrote:

I've been watching the History channel today, so i stumbled into an hour about the top ten foods consumed in the US.  Yikes!  It's a wonder we're a living nation.

I lost a few along the way, but #10 was fried chicken, #9 ice cream, #8 cheddar cheese, #7 was 7-11's Slurpee, #6 potao chips.  Chocolate was #4, McDonald's breakfast sandwiches were #3, #2 was more potatoes, but French fried this time, and #1 was a burger, the big and juicy ones!

Is all the talk about eating healthy just talk?

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I don't eat ANY of the above. No wonder there are so many OBESE people. Really sad.

[italia8140]

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@PamelaSue72 wrote:

Obesity is already a very serious problem. Diabetes, heart disease, etc. all can be caused by over-eating and being obese. While it's not always the case (people will complain about theiir glands or they can't walk or whatever), eating everything and anything is serious in the US. Oh, and let's not forget that as we age, we gain weight. Everybody says so.

And those of us who do watch our weight and who are careful about eating healthy also pay the price for those who do not. Our insurance premiums continue to skyrocket because we have to pay for those who have those problems and also do not have health insurance. 

My DH's workplace has started to require bloodwork as part of a reduction in health insurance deductibles. If you don't agree to the testing, you will pay full price. If you do agree to the testing and your bloodwork is within normal limits, you will get a reduced deductible. It's like making those who smoke pay for their actions. You want to eat that stuff and be obese? Pay for it.

Ever really stop and look at the supermarket flyers? Most of the stuff that's on sale are things like potato chips, Cheez-its, soda, convenience foods, and so on. The stuff that's good for you, the stuff that's healthy? You'll pay full price for most of it.

Not all that long ago, the average size for the American woman was a size 12. Then it went to a 14. I believe now, the average American woman wears a size 16. But heaven forbid, our designers tell us we are fat. So what used to be a size 10 is now considered a size 12. What used to be size 12 is now considered a size 14. 

Next time you walk around the mall or next time you're in a restaurant, look at the people. Most of them are fat. Sorry, but it's the truth and let's not sugar coat it. Fat. It is what it is. Whether you want to call it muffin tops or pleasingly plump or plus-size, the bottom line is that the US is a nation of fat people.

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You're CORRECT. Fat people ALWAYS make bad food choices - lots of fried foods, red meat, too much sugar, and too much fat.

[Toppers]

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@PamelaSue72 wrote:

Many companies have been requesting blood work to prove their employees are non-smokers, so this isn't anything new. In fact, several years, when DH's company requested bloodwork for non-smokers, I asked him then....what's next? A proper weight? Bloodwork for cholesterol or diabetes? And yep, that came next. 

Employees are not required to have blood work. Not at all. But they will pay the full premium for their health insurance through the company if they don't. They also had three years, I believe it was, to get their cholesterol, sugar, etc. under control. 

And you're right....simply put, most people cannot afford to eat healthy. Are there coupons for produce or for milk? No. The coupons are for junk food. Lots of white rice, lots of white breads and the like. And that's what people buy because, for many of them, that's all they can afford.

Believe me, trying to stay away from the junk is a struggle for me, too, as well as for my DH. But we are careful in what we eat and in exercising faithfully every day. It's hard line to walk and it doesn't get any easier. 

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I don't know what stores you shop at, or what you're even referring to, to be honest.

The supermarkets in my area regularly put milk and other dairy products on sale, along with meat and produce. You either do or don't need a coupon for these items.

Plus, you can go to the more inexpensive stores to shop for these items if you want to, like Aldi's or Save-A-Lot, if you have those stores in your area, where milk, dairy,  and eggs are usually less expensive, unless you are looking to buy organic products.

[AngelPuppy1]

At this time of the year, where DH & I live it is hard to get fresh fruit,and what is available, is not always that great and what is, is very expensive.  For example, we purchased a container of strawberries yesterday and they were $6.00.  We both say all the time --- no wonder people a lot of times don't eat what is healthier because they cannot afford to! It is so unfair to make fresh fruits and vegetables so unaffordable, such that many have a hard time purchasing it, especially when buying for a larger family.  Then, you see boxes of mac & chees, canned raviloi, etc. for next to nothing.  So, I have sympathy, I really do.  Also, people can fill up on starches very cheaply such as rice, noodles, bread, etc.

As for the fast food, yes, this is a bad thing that people get used to relying on. We, thankfully, never had this around when we were growing up, so I believe this had a big impact on us being healthier.  That, and we wouldn't have been able to afford going out to eat all the time any way, because we did not have the money and ate home cooked food.  We also did not have soda pop, and cakes, cookies, and candies, readly available every day.  These were special occasions only.  If the parents are not eating healthy, then this sets the example for the children and so on, and so on.  

And yes, it does take some effort and thought to eating healthier.   

Thankfully, even at fast foods places (at least some of them) there are some healthier alternatives if we choose to make them.

[VaBelle35]

There are 2 main roads to get to the highway where I live.  On my way to work and on my way home, the line for the drive thrus are long, with more people turning in at every light. 

I used to frequent those lines myself.

[pattypeep]

[sidsmom]

(Fat) #10 was fried chicken,

(Fat) #9 ice cream, 

(Fat) #8 cheddar cheese,

(Sugar) #7 was 7-11's Slurpee,

(Fat) #6 potao chips

(Fat) Chocolate was #4,

(Fat) McDonald's breakfast sandwiches were #3,

(Fat) #2 was more potatoes, but French fried this time,

(Fat) #1 was a burger, the big and juicy ones!

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...but yet everyone wants to blame sugar & carbohydrates.

Riiiiiight.

A low fat, whole foods, plant based diet for healthy life.

Always has been.

Always will be. 

[wagirl]

What appalls me is going to my oncology dr appt for check ups--had breast cancer 5 years ago--and most of the people there are over weight or obese. I mean the nurses and DA's, the front desk staff, even---now I was told on several occassions that fat on the body is what feeds cancer as it has alot of estrogen in it. My cancer was hormone positive so must take meds that prevent estrogen. What kind of example is that??? Now am dealing with diabetes so need to carefully watch what goes in my body. Most of the things that were mentioned here, are not things that I eat anymore or ever did really. Hard to be very sympathetic !!

[suzyQ3]

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@Mominohio wrote:

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@PamelaSue72 wrote:

Obesity is already a very serious problem. Diabetes, heart disease, etc. all can be caused by over-eating and being obese. While it's not always the case (people will complain about theiir glands or they can't walk or whatever), eating everything and anything is serious in the US. Oh, and let's not forget that as we age, we gain weight. Everybody says so.

And those of us who do watch our weight and who are careful about eating healthy also pay the price for those who do not. Our insurance premiums continue to skyrocket because we have to pay for those who have those problems and also do not have health insurance. 

My DH's workplace has started to require bloodwork as part of a reduction in health insurance deductibles. If you don't agree to the testing, you will pay full price. If you do agree to the testing and your bloodwork is within normal limits, you will get a reduced deductible. It's like making those who smoke pay for their actions. You want to eat that stuff and be obese? Pay for it.

Ever really stop and look at the supermarket flyers? Most of the stuff that's on sale are things like potato chips, Cheez-its, soda, convenience foods, and so on. The stuff that's good for you, the stuff that's healthy? You'll pay full price for most of it.

Not all that long ago, the average size for the American woman was a size 12. Then it went to a 14. I believe now, the average American woman wears a size 16. But heaven forbid, our designers tell us we are fat. So what used to be a size 10 is now considered a size 12. What used to be size 12 is now considered a size 14. 

Next time you walk around the mall or next time you're in a restaurant, look at the people. Most of them are fat. Sorry, but it's the truth and let's not sugar coat it. Fat. It is what it is. Whether you want to call it muffin tops or pleasingly plump or plus-size, the bottom line is that the US is a nation of fat people.

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This is why so many lower income people have weight or food related health issues. They eat what they can afford. They eat what is donated to food pantries, the bulk of which is pre packaged processed foods. So perhaps a lot of those you seem to be disgusted by, are that way because they cannot afford to eat healthy.

And that process with your health insurance is treading on a pretty slippery slope in my opinion. If they were testing for use of drugs, nicotine or excessive alcohol use, and basing rates or deductibles on that, I would agree, because none of those things do people need. 

But to base it on factors determined by food (i'm guessing weight, BMI, blood sugar levels etc.), really isn't fair (per those above that eat what they can afford). And I would question what will it be next, that they choose to discriminate against certain people with. Will you be penalized for not eating only organic foods? Will you pay more if you are eating all fresh foods, but they are GMO's? Will they make your deductible higher if you ski and risk breaking a leg, or go to the beach for vacation because you are increasing your risk of skin cancer?

I'd say let's start with people receiving welfare and food stamps and require testing for drugs and nicotine, then remove offenders from the roles. That should free up a lot of money to feed the poor a more healthy diet, thereby lowering obesity rates tremendously.

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I was pretty much nodding in agreement until I got to this kicker of a suggestion. Surely there must be more equitable ways to engage people in healthful eating than such an invasion of privacy.

And hey, I am as anti-tobacco as the next person, but I would never approve of such singling out. Free up money by kicking off needy families in which a member tests positive from drugs or nicotine? Draconian and cruel and, in the end, ineffective. You can't feed people more healthfully unless they choose to do so.

Also, I sense in some of the posts so far a kind of stigmatizing of the overweight and obese that is counterproductive to trying lower the obesity levels. It will NEVER happen through shaming or force.

[violann]

It's always amazing how many people who have never been morbidly obese have THE SOLUTION for the people who have actually lived the lfe.