Obesity in America

[Brandi*]

I am currently taking Human Physiology and as an extra credit project I had to attend two Obesity and Diabetes seminars. It was very interesting and alarming information. The percentage of people obese in America is just horrible. During the power point presentation the presenter displayed pictures of families from different countries all gathered in front of their food for the week. Something the presenter pointed out was that the food for a weekly diet from other countries consisted of whole grains, fruits and veggies. Nothing processed at all! When she came to the American family all you could see were boxes, bags, and containers. There were a few veggies and fruits but not too many. That made me realize that pretty much EVERYTHING we eat here in America is processed in some sort. The people who actually eat all natural have to pay more and buy at specialty stores. This in itself probably deters people from making healthier choices.

I took a Food and Nutrition class a few semesters back and that got me buying whole wheat and whole grain bread. It also got me to look at labels a little more. I have also stopped buying canned veggies and fruits and try to stick with fresh as much as possible. Hubby and I are always wondering why there is nothing to eat around here and it's because we don't buy grab and go items. T.V. dinners, hot pockets, corndogs, frozen pizza's etc. If we don't cook we pretty much can't eat

It's very annoying and it frustrates me when I would just like to eat something quick and easy but I know it's the healthy choice. I used to buy the Smart Choice and Lean Cusines but stopped when I realized how processed they were.

As I was making a box of brownies tonight I wondered how their nutritional content would differ from homemade brownies. I know sweets have been around for a LONG time and families have always had deserts. The only difference is that today they are mostly boxed. Could this be the major problem causing obesity? Boxes, bags and containers?

I know American's are eating more and moving less but I can't help but think that the way we are making and preserving our foods has something to do with it. Would it make a difference if I made homemade brownies instead of boxed?

Just some random thoughts I have been tossing around. Would love to hear other's opinions on the issue

 

[Bess Kelly]

We have become a society of "convenience" -- be it food or otherwise.

When I was a child I rode bikes, climbed trees, walked to the school, played outdoor games, etc. Our food was generally home cooked.....the VERY first McDonald's came to town when I was 11. My mother did not work outside the home.

When my children were born, we didn't have paper diapers. Nope, cloth , washing machine and clothes lines.

As they became "play" age, they had bikes and yards where they played. Most of the time I cooked at home, only an occassional fast food night. I was home part-time, worked part-time, then full time as they were older.

My grandaughter, had only paper diapers, a lot of fast food. She is overweight. Now that daughter & gr dtr are living here with me, they are eating primarily home cooked meals. But, the choices are different for "what they like" and it is based on the "convenience" diets.

See the differences? Years past there were not as many "conveniences". Heck, I can remember when a party line phone was a BIG deal. Now we all carry cells and stay on them far too much. Many children have no idea what throwing a ball to one another is like, walk almost no where, watch videos, etc. Often times the items we see, use, eat, now were not available them -- sometimes the cost was prohibitive. But, as things have evolved, not everything is better.

Brownies? Well, you can control the refinement of the flours used, the amount of fats, etc. Yes, they can be healthier.

But, let's face it, it's still a dietary luxury.

A dessert can be a good thing for the moment and if you have a serving on occassion, it won't totally destroy your general diet -- if the balance of the time you eat healthy. Of course, if you are diabetic, or such, a dessert if rarely good for you. Then you get to smell it. Ever tried frying/baking fruit? That can be a delightful treat.

 

[Seashells]

For years we were inoccent victims of the fast food and frozen food scene. Now we understand and value natural foods. You are right, many food items in every store is just bad news. Our bodies don't know how to process the stuff.

Easy for us: If it's from God, then it's good, if it's from man (processed, packaged, etc)...then pass on it. Usually canned and packaged foods have bad stuff added for shelf life. We eat fresh vegitables.

We totally stay away from cereals. There are so many hidden salts and sugars in them. We stick to oatmeal with a few fresh raisons to jazz it up.

I realized.....it's easy to eat for taste. I now concentrate on eating for energy, and brain food. It's hard, but at least I'm trying to do better.

Oh, I totally stay away from canned soups. All of them. It's easy to make homemade soup with fresh ingredients, and it's healthier.

I would make brownies from scratch.

Big news: Stay away from trans fats and partially hydronated stuff (that stuff is the worst!)

 

[Brandi*]

Of course, if you are diabetic, or such, a dessert if rarely good for you.

Yes this is another reason I have taken such interest in diet. My whole family has diabetes.

I totally stay away from canned soups. All of them. It's easy to make homemade soup with fresh ingredients, and it's healthier.

Ever since I had my gallbladder removed a few years ago my body has a way of telling me when something isn't very good for me. I can no longer eat canned soups! They make me sick to my stomach. Sometimes I really want a nice bowl of soup but I don't have it because I just can't stand the soups you buy in the store. I need to look up some good soup recipes.

 

[CyndiM]

Good topic Brandi.

It never hurts to stop and think about what you are about to put in your shopping cart or mouth.

 

[Laura]

CNN did a special on this recently and is was shown that to get 1000 calories in junk/fast food would cost you just under $2.00...for fruits and vegetables, 1000 calories would be something like $15.00 plus...it's insane!

We eat almost all fresh foods and for a family of four, our grocery bill has gotten out of control. We did have a nice garden this year, but we ate it all and froze only some tomatoes. We'll do better next year, but we aren't willing to go easy and cheap and sacrifice our health and our kids' futures.....but it sure makes the family budget squeak!

We went trick or treating tonight and Zac would want some candy, take a bite and then say "Mama eat it"...he just won't eat more than a bite or two, but if I'd given him an apple he'd have been ALL over it...that's so cool!

edited to add-we don't do dessert. For birthdays maybe, but Mia LOVES sweets (just like Mom!) and I'm not fighting every night about fresh, good food she LOVES too, to get to the sweet stuff. We just don't do it.

 

[crponies]

Good for you that have or are raising your kids to eat healthy and eating healthy yourselves. I am trying to do better. We really don't eat fast food much but probably could go lighter on the pre-packaged stuff. I did manage to can 50 quarts of homemade tomato soup this year so that will be nice to have to enjoy this winter.

I can tell you that as a teacher it can be so frustrating to see what kind of diets some of my students have. I have one student who has been brining hot cheetos for his snack pretty much every day! Yuck! On the plus side, one girl who brought lunchables almost every day in 1st grade now seems to have healthy lunches most of the time. Of course in health the students learn about healthy diets but the parents are the ones who really determine that. They buy the food and send it to school with them.

 

[Sonya]

I too think we are a country of convenience. And I agree with Bess...kids today want to sit in front of the tv and play video games/etc when I use to climb trees.

Of course I am a big fast food eater...so I admit, I'm not one to talk. I'm not obese...yet....but about 20lbs overweight .but working the odd hours I sometimes work I feel like there aren't alot of choices for me to have a "hot" meal, even if it is a cheesburger from wendy's on the way to work. I can't leave work to get food, so end up picking up something on the way..even if I'm not hungry at the time....but I do sometimes get a salad (which isn't as bad as a burger) with grilled chicken because it's really the only thing I can buy on the way to work, refrigerate and eat a few hours later. Sometimes, I work until midnight and have to turn around and be back at work in the am by 8. With an hour drive to/fro work that doesn't leave me much time to eat or even prepare foods..or I don't want to take the time, I want to sleep. So I am guilty for sure.

 

[Jill]

Brandi --

I don't know for sure, but I think one part of the problem is corn syrup. I think it's evil and it's in almost everything packaged. That and other very refined carbohydrates (stuff a lot of people would probably think is actually "healthy") really can throw blood sugar numbers for a loop!

Jill

 

[Brandi*]

Jill,

Yes corn syrup did come up in those seminars although I cannot remember exactly what was said about it