What's really making us fat?

nerdieprofessor

I still subscribe to the calories in/calories out idea but this article did make me think about other possible explanations:

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/03/whats-really-making-us-fat/254087/2/?single_page=true

So, how do we avoid things we don't even know are in some foods?

fittocycle

It's definitely something to think about. We need to educate ourselves more about what is in our food and one way is by reading article like the one you posted. Very informative and well written!
I try to cook from scratch whenever I can so I know what is in my food (for the most part). It also feels better for me to avoid processed foods and eat clean when I can. Just something that works for me but everyone is different!:flowerforyou:

chrisc16

You have to be an educated consumer and KNOW what you are eating. There just is no other way.

user6264

Interesting article. I'm trying not to use it as an excuse to eat more "good stuff." I firmly believe that we are overall healthier the closer we eat to the earth. In a very non-scientific observation, I am sick or sluggish far less often than my processed-food junkie roommate. We have similar stress and workout levels. I'm convinced I feel better because I eat better. You're half way to your goal--way to go!!

nerdieprofessor

You have to be an educated consumer and KNOW what you are eating. There just is no other way.

That's all very well and good. However, please read the article. They are talking about "ingredients" that are not listed in the ingredients.

Aeriel

It was an interesting article and I will be interested to see what further research can prove/disprove. I believe that there is no single contributing factor but a combination of things that lead to obesity, or even affects every person in the same manner.

Activity level (low) was big for me, as was shear volume of food before I started losing weight. Now that I am closer to goal weight, sodium and processed foods play a big role in weight fluctuations for me that I never used to see at my heaviest, where I was just constantly "heavy" with little fluctuation. I still watch portions and activity level, but I find my body really responds differently depending on what I feed it with. I have felt better since I started eating as much "fresh" food as I could and trying to eliminate pre-packaged or fast food meals when I could. It could be that those hidden factors play some part in that.

Thank you for posting it.