Our culture is set up for obesity.

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  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    anything BUT cooking appealing, nutritious and economic meals for the entire family (which by the way, takes A LOT of time usually).

    If that takes "A LOT of time," it's being done wrong.

    BS.

    Even the simplest meals can take a significant amount of time...between taking out containers, peeling or preparing the fresh food, and cleaning up, putting dishes away, etc. Do remember I also assume you cook economically. For example I never buy chicken breasts because I want them organic and organic chicken breasts are expensive as H.
    So I buy whole organic chickens that come out less expensive, and I butcher them myself.
    I can assure you that takes a significant chunk of time - just to get the meat ready for cooking.

    Jumping in before I read the entire thread but...

    Umm....it takes about 3 minutes for me to break down a chicken and I'm no chef. I get my food from a farm share, so I'm working almost exclusively from whole foods, and I have plenty of time to cook. Cooking from ingredients really isn't as hard as you frequently like to say.
    And practice makes perfect...or at least helps. I assign meals cooking to my teen boys sometimes. I swear it takes them 2 hours just to cube chicken breast (there were 6 chicken breasts, but still.....)
    They asked why it takes me a fraction of the time and I just tell them that when you cook a lot, you learn to be quicker and have short cuts.
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    On my recent trip to New Orleans, when I asked for people's recommendations for restaurants, I would get same comment from more than one person -- people rave about restaurants, because the portions are "MASSIVE". I felt that it would be a waste of time to explain to them that "massive" is not necessarily what I am looking for in a meal.

    You don't have to eat all of it.
    SIGH. how can I explain to a man with abs like this that leaving food in a vacation/food mecca like N.O. would be next to impossible for someone who grew up like me? It's easier on a 'resort' type vacation if you have a kitchenette..and can reheat for lunch.... but OH THE GLORY OF THAT FOOD THERE...you couldn't just LEAVE it! it would be sinful.. then again.. on vacation... just go for it!!! and walk a little more... or something.... indulging that infrequently won't hurt

    Puhleaze...if I've said it once, I've said it 100 times. Calories do not count in New Orleans people. You get a huge pass to eat carte blanche...and do whatever else. :wink:
    Especially if you are at cafe du monde.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    It's not healthy to eat the child

    Or legal. *giggle*
    Umm....it takes about 3 minutes for me to break down a chicken and I'm no chef.

    I didn't really comment on that specifically because I've never personally done it. But my mom used to and I don't ever remember it taking her all that long. Chickens are pretty small. The OP isn't plucking it and draining the blood, after all.

    I think she likes to make herself a martyr and possibly, as others suggested, is trolling.
  • Hannah_Hopes
    Hannah_Hopes Posts: 273 Member
    I've read some of the comments on here, so heres my 2cents regarding original post
    I disagree the 'culture' is set up for obesity as of choice and such maybe upbringing has more of this impact, but I do agree that portion sizes when eating out can be completely ridiculous I live in the UK and feel pub meals are just too much, (never been to America so cant comment there).
    I just always look up the menu and nutritional value of where I'm going to go and eat thankfully a lot of chain restaurants now have nutritional guides online here, then I just work the rest of the day around this, some meals at a regular place I go are around 1200calories per main meal, so depending on when I'm eating out (lunch/dinner) I'll just eat a small meal before or after, if i'm hungry.
    as others have said you don't have to eat it all, (however I do as many don't allow it to be taken away). we all have that choice though.
    As for it being part of gov/owners responsibility, if people weren't buying this food they wouldn't keep selling it we clearly make the demand for the food so its highly unlikely they will cut profits and such :ohwell:
  • Gee_24
    Gee_24 Posts: 359 Member
    I agree that eating out in the UK is also hard but me and my family were in shock in Florida, the first night we ate out.

    I ordered steak and chips ( I was very short, slim, and 14 years old so didnt need a large portion ) and when my plate arrived my older sister who had taken us asked if she could cancel her meal, so we could share mine. Her eyes popped out of her head when my plate arrived! lmao It was honestly so big I think 3 of us could have eaten off that plate. And only for around $14!
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    There is no value in getting 4,000 calories for your dinner when you only need 700. Every calorie after that does not do anything good for you.

    But what about the gains?

    No, seriously.... you need a calorie surplus to build muscle... ask any powerlifter what's the easiest way to bulk up? It's fast food.
  • Hannah_Hopes
    Hannah_Hopes Posts: 273 Member
    There is no value in getting 4,000 calories for your dinner when you only need 700. Every calorie after that does not do anything good for you.

    But what about the gains?

    No, seriously.... you need a calorie surplus to build muscle... ask any powerlifter what's the easiest way to bulk up? It's fast food.

    :drinker: - true point
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  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I agree. More so even than the large portions and high calorie meals, I think our culture is set up for obesity because the "norm" now is to stay indoors, be on your smartphone 20 hours per day starting when you're eight years old or so...and many people (especially here in the Midwest) consider "dining out" to be their #1 or sometimes ONLY form of family entertainment.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
  • Commander_Keen
    Commander_Keen Posts: 1,179 Member
    No body makes you go and eat out side of the house
    You do not have to clean your plate
  • Carol_Magee
    Carol_Magee Posts: 69 Member
    I'll have to finish reading later. Very interesting topic! A real eye opener.
  • ST99000722
    ST99000722 Posts: 204 Member
    Bump for later.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    No body makes you go and eat out side of the house
    You do not have to clean your plate

    OF COURSE, cultural influences can be ignored or overcome. That doesn't mean they don't exist.
  • mrmagee3
    mrmagee3 Posts: 518 Member
    No body makes you go and eat out side of the house
    You do not have to clean your plate

    OF COURSE, cultural influences can be ignored or overcome. That doesn't mean they don't exist.

    In fact, being consciously aware of them likely aids one in overcoming them.
  • shannashannabobana
    shannashannabobana Posts: 625 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
    Maybe they are doing it thoroughly, vacuuming all the furniture with the attachments, blinds maybe, etc...The floors alone don't take that long.
  • chandanista
    chandanista Posts: 986 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
    Maybe they are doing it thoroughly, vacuuming all the furniture with the attachments, blinds maybe, etc...The floors alone don't take that long.
    I wonder if they are counting a carpet shampoo afterwards as well?
  • mrmagee3
    mrmagee3 Posts: 518 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
    Maybe they are doing it thoroughly, vacuuming all the furniture with the attachments, blinds maybe, etc...The floors alone don't take that long.
    I wonder if they are counting a carpet shampoo afterwards as well?

    Do you people have stairs?

    And if so, would you mind coming over to vacuum? I can't vacuum my house in 10 minutes.
  • LAW_714
    LAW_714 Posts: 258
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
    Maybe they are doing it thoroughly, vacuuming all the furniture with the attachments, blinds maybe, etc...The floors alone don't take that long.
    I wonder if they are counting a carpet shampoo afterwards as well?

    Do you people have stairs?

    And if so, would you mind coming over to vacuum? I can't vacuum my house in 10 minutes.

    I can, but it's because I don't have carpet. Anyone want to come over and sweep and mop?
  • lyndausvi
    lyndausvi Posts: 156 Member
    I agree our culture plays a part in obesity. I just don't agree restaurant portions is entirely to blame or even mostly to blame. We do not move like we use to either. There are so many products/services out there to make our lives easier and save time we don't move anymore.

    For example, I work from home now. If it wasn't for my dog I could go days without hitting 10,000 steps. Bed to desk is about 10 feet. I could get all my food delivered to me. Not even talking about restaurant delivery (which we rarely do). I can get organic vegetables, fruit, dairy, meats and even condiments delivered right to my house.

    I like the option of working from home, but I have to really think about getting up and moving around. I also really watch my portion sizes. Unfortunately, a lot of people are not like me.
  • ST99000722
    ST99000722 Posts: 204 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
    Maybe they are doing it thoroughly, vacuuming all the furniture with the attachments, blinds maybe, etc...The floors alone don't take that long.
    I wonder if they are counting a carpet shampoo afterwards as well?

    Do you people have stairs?

    And if so, would you mind coming over to vacuum? I can't vacuum my house in 10 minutes.

    We ripped the carpet off our stairs. Vacuuming them was the worst. :smile:
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Personally, I have not had an issue with the food I order being too large of a portion size, but I think that is based on the restaurant choices and food options I choose (I've probably done this without fully realizing it, but just because I wanted a normal sized meal that was not excessive in calories), I also ask for substitutions such as a salad instead of fries or I will give the side dishes (french fries/bread, etc) to my husband or children or just tell them not to give it to me. And I will take leftovers home (and I don't complain about it because I like leftovers and having another meal). I also live in Canada now, not sure there is any difference between the U.S. and Canada in this regard.

    But, I do think large portions are problematic because it results in food waste!

    I don't overeat because I strongly dislike the feeling of being full.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
    Maybe they are doing it thoroughly, vacuuming all the furniture with the attachments, blinds maybe, etc...The floors alone don't take that long.
    I wonder if they are counting a carpet shampoo afterwards as well?

    Do you people have stairs?

    And if so, would you mind coming over to vacuum? I can't vacuum my house in 10 minutes.

    We ripped the carpet off our stairs. Vacuuming them was the worst. :smile:
    I have stairs. I can vacuum them in about three minutes.
  • lsorci919
    lsorci919 Posts: 772 Member
    Just this weekend i was told how "rude" I was that I didn't eat with everyone else. I had already eaten and was joining them JUST to see them... I felt bad and started to eat some of the pizza, about 1/2 down with a slice, I ACTUALLY had to go throw up... my stomach hurt so bad from the high fat, high calories, and the fact that people make you feel bad for actually watching your weight... it is amazing. I told my boyfriend, next time I just wont' join him and his friends because they are all HUGE and although I am thinner, I want to stay that way.

    I remember being with my family for dinner and a few of them started making comments about how I shouldn't starve myself because I only had 1 plate of food. I really didn't know how to react to that. I ate, I was full so I stopped eating. I think it's more that those people feel self conscious about themselves and when they see you making healthier choices when they aren't they feel guilty. If you join and make unhealthy choices with them, in their heads it justifies their own unhealthy decisions.
  • mrmagee3
    mrmagee3 Posts: 518 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
    Maybe they are doing it thoroughly, vacuuming all the furniture with the attachments, blinds maybe, etc...The floors alone don't take that long.
    I wonder if they are counting a carpet shampoo afterwards as well?

    Do you people have stairs?

    And if so, would you mind coming over to vacuum? I can't vacuum my house in 10 minutes.

    We ripped the carpet off our stairs. Vacuuming them was the worst. :smile:
    I have stairs. I can vacuum them in about three minutes.

    Sweet. When will you be over? :laugh:
  • sokkache
    sokkache Posts: 220 Member
    That's why people should realize that eating out is only for occasions, not every night. I know that people don't "have" the time to cook, but when it comes to health, that should be one of the biggest priorities in your life.
  • slkehl
    slkehl Posts: 3,801 Member
    I personally LOVE large portion sizes at restaurants. But that is because I am a poor graduate student, and see three meals in that one dish. I just about always get a box to take some home. Eating out is a luxury for me, and I'm thankful that when I do, I get more for my buck.
  • Zaniejane
    Zaniejane Posts: 329 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.
    Maybe they are doing it thoroughly, vacuuming all the furniture with the attachments, blinds maybe, etc...The floors alone don't take that long.
    I wonder if they are counting a carpet shampoo afterwards as well?

    Do you people have stairs?

    And if so, would you mind coming over to vacuum? I can't vacuum my house in 10 minutes.

    We ripped the carpet off our stairs. Vacuuming them was the worst. :smile:
    I have stairs. I can vacuum them in about three minutes.

    Sweet. When will you be over? :laugh:

    Sometimes I vacuum under all the furniture, sometimes I don't. I have a roomba to help me sometimes. I don't usually do the whole house at once, just down or just up. I am going to have to try vacuuming with all the different variables and timing myself so I can join this conversation:flowerforyou:
  • chandanista
    chandanista Posts: 986 Member
    Who the heck vacuums for 90 minutes? Seriously. My home is small at 1200 square feet but when I vacuum thoroughly it takes 10 minutes.

    Just found this, thought it appropriate

    mban3893l.jpg
  • goalss4nika
    goalss4nika Posts: 529 Member
    truth_about_portion_distortion.png


    WOW!

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