How people at a normal weight eat!
Phaedra2014
Posts: 1,254 Member
My co-workers are all in great shape. That doesn't mean they eat very healthy foods: some do, some don't. We have lunch together every day and since being on MFP, I've begun paying attention to how people of "normal" weight eat.
1. They eat small quantities of food.
2. They don't finish everything on their plate.
3. They talk while eating instead of stuffing their faces.
4. They move around more just because.
5. They are able to save half their lunch (often times) as leftovers for the next day.
6. They eat maybe one piece of candy, or a cookie, after a meal. Not 2, not 5, not 10.
7. Food (as a couple explained to me) is not for pleasure, even tasty food. It's for energy.
8. Over indulgence just doesn't happen.
9. They eat slowly.
10. No pigging out happens and if it does, it's not the overweight person's version of pigging out.
1. They eat small quantities of food.
2. They don't finish everything on their plate.
3. They talk while eating instead of stuffing their faces.
4. They move around more just because.
5. They are able to save half their lunch (often times) as leftovers for the next day.
6. They eat maybe one piece of candy, or a cookie, after a meal. Not 2, not 5, not 10.
7. Food (as a couple explained to me) is not for pleasure, even tasty food. It's for energy.
8. Over indulgence just doesn't happen.
9. They eat slowly.
10. No pigging out happens and if it does, it's not the overweight person's version of pigging out.
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Replies
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I'd like to think I'm at a normal weight... and I eat chocolate almost every day (and usually not just 1-2 pieces). I always finish my meals... I eat for pleasure... I don't know who these people are that you're conversing with but they sound awful.0
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My co-workers are all in great shape. That doesn't mean they eat very healthy foods: some do, some don't. We have lunch together every day and since being on MFP, I've begun paying attention to how people of "normal" weight eat.
1. They eat small quantities of food.
2. They don't finish everything on their plate.
3. They talk while eating instead of stuffing their faces.
4. They move around more just because.
5. They are able to save half their lunch (often times) as leftovers for the next day.
6. They eat maybe one piece of candy, or a cookie, after a meal. Not 2, not 5, not 10.
7. Food (as a couple explained to me) is not for pleasure, even tasty food. It's for energy.
8. Over indulgence just doesn't happen.
9. They eat slowly.
10. No pigging out happens and if it does, it's not the overweight person's version of pigging out.
Small sample size, not really indicative of how "normal" people eat.0 -
I am not around very many people who eat normally, so this is a good topic.
I like the idea of keeping in mind that you don't have to finish your plate and that talking while eating is a good way to ENJOY the experience of eating without overeating (associate positive, non-overeating traits with eating).
I don't like the idea of thinking of food as not tasty. I'm okay with satisfying tastes, it's just the moderation part that I have trouble with.0 -
My co-workers are all in great shape. That doesn't mean they eat very healthy foods: some do, some don't. We have lunch together every day and since being on MFP, I've begun paying attention to how people of "normal" weight eat.
1. They eat small quantities of food.
2. They don't finish everything on their plate.
3. They talk while eating instead of stuffing their faces.
4. They move around more just because.
5. They are able to save half their lunch (often times) as leftovers for the next day.
6. They eat maybe one piece of candy, or a cookie, after a meal. Not 2, not 5, not 10.
7. Food (as a couple explained to me) is not for pleasure, even tasty food. It's for energy.
8. Over indulgence just doesn't happen.
9. They eat slowly.
10. No pigging out happens and if it does, it's not the overweight person's version of pigging out.
Small sample size, not really indicative of how "normal" people eat.
This is true. This is where the everybody is different comes into play. Everybody puts different energy demands on their body. Some "normal" weight people can pig out like a 400 lb fat man. Many can't. It just depends on the energy demands on the body.0 -
meh0
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My co-workers are all in great shape. That doesn't mean they eat very healthy foods: some do, some don't. We have lunch together every day and since being on MFP, I've begun paying attention to how people of "normal" weight eat.
1. They eat small quantities of food.
2. They don't finish everything on their plate.
3. They talk while eating instead of stuffing their faces.
4. They move around more just because.
5. They are able to save half their lunch (often times) as leftovers for the next day.
6. They eat maybe one piece of candy, or a cookie, after a meal. Not 2, not 5, not 10.
7. Food (as a couple explained to me) is not for pleasure, even tasty food. It's for energy.
8. Over indulgence just doesn't happen.
9. They eat slowly.
10. No pigging out happens and if it does, it's not the overweight person's version of pigging out.
I'm at my normal weight and none of those is true for me
and number 7 is just sad0 -
I'm at my normal weight and none of those is true for me
and number 7 is just sad
Agreed.0 -
1) It's true, I eat small meals throughout the day.
2)Not really true unless I'm eating out
3)Ehh...
4)Eh...
5)I save half of my dinner for lunch the next day, usually
6)yeah
7)Sometimes I eat for pleasure, other times I don't.
8)About once a week
9)Yeah, i do.
10)Pigging out happens sometimes, but what do you consider overweight person's version?0 -
I agree with most of the responders. I am at a normal weight and none of this applies to me or any of the other normal weight people that I know. However, OP, I know that this is your interpretation. It is all relative. Number 7 is off to me. Normal weight people definitely enjoy the taste of food as much as the next person.0
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Honestly, I think it all depends on many factors such as: age, gender, and physical activity levels. Oh, and a person's metabolism. Some just have super high and some super low.0
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Exactly this! I know what pigging out is. That's part of the reason I ended up the size I did. Now fast forward through time where I've changed my eating habits. I eat healthy and I eat reasonable portions....portions that I once laughed at. Now a week ago I went to a college football game with some of my lady friends and I had the choice of eating processed foods (something I don't do) or starving. I ate a cup of chex mix and what I later realized was only an ounce of tostitos with queso.....and announced to them, "I have not pigged out like that in a long time!" They laughed and pointed out that it wasn't pigging out. It took a while for that to sink in because to me I had pigged out, without a doubt. Obviously, my perception of pigging out has changed and I'm quite pleased with that!10. No pigging out happens and if it does, it's not the overweight person's version of pigging out.0 -
#5 is really bothering me..
If those 'normal' people are eating a properly portioned lunch and saved half of it then they are not getting the proper amount of calories in a day. If you are at home packing a single serving lunch why would you put enough for two days? What sort of things are they eating if they can safely be eaten at least 3 days after originally prepared? Unless you are talking about 'lunch portions' at restaurants, those are really too much food. If so, carry on and ignore me. If not, I call shenanigans.0 -
Honestly, I think it all depends on many factors such as: age, gender, and physical activity levels. Oh, and a person's metabolism. Some just have super high and some super low.
Although there are some factors that can also cause problems such as your job. My mother was a paramedic for years and never knew when she sat down for a meal if the tones would go off and she would have to run out or if she would get to finish. This caused her to learn to eat super quickly and that ended up taking over every meal. Things like that can and will cause you to overeat.0 -
I'd like to think I'm at a normal weight... and I eat chocolate almost every day (and usually not just 1-2 pieces). I always finish my meals... I eat for pleasure... I don't know who these people are that you're conversing with but they sound awful.
agreed!!!
And arent we forgetting the Wine?0 -
This is an interesting topic, which I hope more perpetually slim people add to. The OP's observations (other than 7) seem valid. I notice my son, who is and always has been an ideal weight, behaves this way. He is unlike the rest of the family who will eat a desired food until it is gone. A related question is why? Same genetics, same environment, and yet he is different than the rest of us.0
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I did over 5000 calories the other day when I was being pretty restrained. Can do much worse if not stopping myself.10)Pigging out happens sometimes, but what do you consider overweight person's version?
(Free pizza at the climbing place I was at.)0 -
Sounds like a load of rubbish to me, and a couple of those pointers would lead me to think they have as difficult a relationship with food as overweight people, just in a different way.0
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You also have to factor in (for the most part) you only see them eat one meal a day. Maybe some of them have an ED or save all their calories for dinner or breakfast. No one sees me eat anything but a salad usually but I save all my calories for dinner.0
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My best friend is "normal" and she eats like a pig...like it's the last meal she is ever going to have...ever....makes me crazy....I eat one piece of pizza she eats half a pizza. grrr...0
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Just further proof that I am not a normal person! That's ok with me. I'm creating my "new normal". I love food. I usually eat the entire plate because I've pre-logged it. I'm just learning to eat more of the right things "most" of the time.0
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I'm definitely not normal.
But I guess its the reason I gained weight and now have to log my calories to keep it off, I eat for pleasure and I finish my food.....and if theres a 3rd, 4th or 5th cookie in sight I'll probably down that too
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Funny, at home I have a husband and two young sons, so I either see what a 215lb man eats, or what my kids eat.
At work, I see what/how firemen eat. I truly don't think I'm ever around anyone who eats "normally."
However, I like to think I'm at a normal weight. I enjoy my food and I eat every bite. I never put more on my plate than I can or want to eat. I portion out everything in measuring cups/spoons so I know exactly what's there. I don't eat slowly (especially at work) because half the time I'm either being called by my kids or toned out for a call on the truck. I exercise as much as I want to because I love it, so I burn a lot (well, when I'm not injured).
My point is, I really think you could pull 10 normal-weight people in off the street and you'd see 10 different sets of eating habits.0 -
I was a normal (really low) weight most of my life and I did not do those things or eat that way. I had a fast metabolism.
My best friend and I used to regularly put away a pizza and order of wings in one sitting, I drank my share of soda, I didn't exercise purposefully and I lived on fast food. And I always finished what was on my plate.0 -
My best friend is "normal" and she eats like a pig...like it's the last meal she is ever going to have...ever....makes me crazy....I eat one piece of pizza she eats half a pizza. grrr...
^^this^^ My Best friend is the same way, always has been. When we were teenagers and ate at the mall, I would have 1 bean burrito and a water or diet soda and she would get a Taco Supreme and Nachos supreme and a giant Soda. Then a couple hours later say she was hungry and get a giant cookie and more soda, while I got 1 or 2 bite size ones and more water or diet soda. I was a size 10/12, she was a size 2. Today she loses weight by going to Zumba 2x and cutting out 1 soda a day(5lbs in a week) while I workout multiple times and count every calorie to drop just 1-2 lbs a week. My DH, also normal weight, also eats whatever he likes in pretty large portions and pigs out fairly often...6ft and 185.0 -
#5 is really bothering me..
If those 'normal' people are eating a properly portioned lunch and saved half of it then they are not getting the proper amount of calories in a day. If you are at home packing a single serving lunch why would you put enough for two days? What sort of things are they eating if they can safely be eaten at least 3 days after originally prepared? Unless you are talking about 'lunch portions' at restaurants, those are really too much food. If so, carry on and ignore me. If not, I call shenanigans.
This. I almost always finish my lunch and I'm at a relatively normal weight. I purposefully pack a lunch for one day--if I eat half of that, I'm either sick, or had an unexpected snack.0 -
How overweight people eat:
1. We horf it down so fast it looks to the average passerby like we're eating with a prison mentality
2. We want to finish eating as quickly as possible to as to get more food in before the 20-minute mark when we start feeling full
3. We eat so we can take a nap later- energy? Pffft.
4. If it's not tasty- well, we'll probably still eat it, but then eat something else to get the bad food taste out of our mouth.
5. #1 rule- when there is food on the table- NO TALKING.
6. We're disgusting, abnormal pigs who should probably be shipped off to an island with our own "kind" so as not to gross out the normies who delicately pick at their plates and declare fullness after three asparagus stalks and 2 oz of grilled salmon.
KK, off to go eat a donut hamburger! Peace out b!tches!!!!!!!!0 -
Some of those things make sense - small portions, no pigging out, talking during meals and eating slowly. Some don't. I am in my 50's, physically active, and only drifted into the bottom of the 'overweight' BMI category for less than a year, so I'd consider myself to be of 'normal' weight.
I LOVE to eat. But I actually enjoy eating more when I am careful about what I eat and only eat things I really enjoy. The first bite is always the best. More is not always better.
Food as 'fuel'. Yeah, if you've got nothing better to eat.0 -
I think the list shows how people who aren't concerned with losing weight or getting in shape eat - people that don't have any of that to worry about.
Whereas for us, we have a different relationship with food !0 -
bump0
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1. They eat small quantities of food.
I think you're confusing quantity and calories. The caloric density of foods varies substantially, and the bodies of healthy weight people tend to naturally compensate for this--so for example, people will generally eat more of a green salad (without fatty dressing, etc.) than they will a pasta covered in cream sauce. In chronically overweight people, this system appears to not work well.
2. They don't finish everything on their plate.
Again, finishing everything on your plate is relative. If your plate contains reasonable serving sizes, there is nothing wrong with finishing all your food. At home my (perpetually thin) husband almost always finishing his plate of food, because I plate small plates (we eat off salad plates), he even usually goes back for seconds, taking small portions of food until he is full. I think what you are trying to get at here is that they eat until they are sated, not to some arbitrary stopping point (like an empty plate)
3. They talk while eating instead of stuffing their faces.
It's also easy to get some wrapped up in talking that you don't realize how much you've eaten. The difference may be that the normal weight people you are observing are pausing to give their body time to realize when they are full--a good habit.
4. They move around more just because.
True on average I am guessing, but there are plenty of highly sedentary thin people.
5. They are able to save half their lunch (often times) as leftovers for the next day.
This depends entirely on how they are getting lunch. Restaurant portions are often way too large, so this would be a good practice. If you are bringing food from home, however, half of lunch might not be enough calories. I pack lunches for one day, if I don't eat the whole thing (and don't eat something else), I'm not eating enough.
6. They eat maybe one piece of candy, or a cookie, after a meal. Not 2, not 5, not 10.
In most cases, yes.
7. Food (as a couple explained to me) is not for pleasure, even tasty food. It's for energy.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying your food. Eating is a necessary part of being alive, and like other important functions (e.g. reproduction) we have evolved to find it enjoyable--there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. The problem is when we substitute food for other sources of pleasure, or use it excessively in other ways.
8. Over indulgence just doesn't happen.
No, it just doesn't happen regularly.
9. They eat slowly.
This is what you meant by number 3. Although this is far from universally true. If you doubt me, you can come eat dinner with my perpetually thin husband sometime.
10. No pigging out happens and if it does, it's not the overweight person's version of pigging out.
You're assuming all overweight people binge.
Edited for typos.1
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