The conspiracy to make (and keep us) fat...

SanteMulberry

I recently came across two reports that made me realize how much the choices we make affect our success.

The first one I heard on NPR. It was someone talking about how we’re “hard-wired”, …we’re made to want high fat, high calorie foods (and a lot of it). Our ancestors who ate as much of those things as they could, when they could are the ones who survived. The problem is, our ancestors didn’t have the abundance of these things that we do today. My take away? Don’t start eating these things, because it’s too hard to stop (and not just because I my willpower isn’t strong enough).

The other was an article in the NY Times magazine, that discussed how food manufacturers make the food we eat. The one thing that blew my mind? There is an actual term they use, called the “bliss factor” that is the point at which a food triggers a response in your body that makes you want to keep eating. Let me repeat this…they actually create foods with the goal to make it physically more difficult to put it down.

Wow, like it isn’t hard enough for me already! What this made me realize is that I really do need to focus on the items around the perimeter of the store. I have been aware of that for a while, but these two things made the light bulb go off for me…when I eat the things that are processed, I’m making it much harder on myself than it needs to be.

And why on earth would I do that?

Yep--food scientist know that humans prefer sugar, salt and fat in that order. And ice cream, because it contains all three in abundance, is the "perfect storm" of temptation. :devil:

Abundance? Here's what I've been eating daily for awhile now. I think we have different ideas of what abundance is. I'm guessing you'll ignore the fat and sodium, even though that's 2/3rds of your argument against ice cream.

The same serving size of Häagen-Dazs Vanilla is 270 calories. With 18 grams of sugar and 127 mg. of sodium. And while we are looking at it, really, who eats 1/2 cup of ice cream? Do you?

Nope, I eat 4. 127 mg of sodium and 18 g of sugar is hardly an abundance by any standard.

Yeah--whatever. Why is it that you guys jump in the paddy wagon and race to the rescue of your sacred cows every time they are mentioned (sorry for the mixed metaphor). Really, what's it to you that we like to talk about eating better and more healthfully? You're welcome to stuff yourself with ice cream until your sacred cows come home (to roost) to use another mixed metaphor. But can you just let us be concerned about the national waistline in peace?

This issue isn't that you talk about eating better and more healthfully. The issue is that you start compiling food into good and bad columns with tally marks that are given based off of your own food phobias rather than a view of moderation.

Most people here would benefit from learning moderation first.

I have NO "food phobias" but thank you for the feeble attempt at psychoanalysis. Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

MinimalistShoeAddict

Ridiculous. People should be accountable for their own health and quit pointing the finger. Processed food doesn't make you fat. Too much of any food does.

I agree 100%. There is no "conspiracy" here. Of course food manufactures want to make foods we crave so they can increase sales. Its called capitalism.

Eat less than your TDEE and you will lose weight. Which foods you choose to eat along the way is totally up to you. I eat plenty of the "unhealthy" foods discussed in this thread and am doing just fine.

Right now I choose to consume near my TDEE so my weight has been stable for months. Make your own choices and take responsibility for the outcome.

jonnythan

Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

Which ones?

SanteMulberry

My 2 cents:
1) Stop blaming others for not being able to control your eating. If you become obese from overeating 'bliss' food, it's not the food manufacturers fault for making it, it's your fault for knowingly sacrificing your long term goals for short term enjoyment.
2) Everything is about moderation, no one is expecting you to give up pizza and go cold turkey completely. If you completely stop eating these foods, it's still letting it control your life.

Nonsense.

albertabeefy

Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

Which ones?

Don't you read Ralph Nader? According to him, all of 'em.

CoachReddy

Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

Which ones?

any with trans fats. you agree with that, dont ya? :happy:

SanteMulberry

Ridiculous. People should be accountable for their own health and quit pointing the finger. Processed food doesn't make you fat. Too much of any food does.

...Which foods you choose to eat along the way is totally up to you. I eat plenty of the "unhealthy" foods discussed in this thread and am doing just fine...

And will you be like the young body builder here on the forums who says that he "lives on junk food" and yet he admits to having a slight problem with a bit of high blood pressure? In five years, in ten years...

jonnythan

Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

Which ones?

any with trans fats. you agree with that, dont ya? :happy:

Not at all, because beef, milk, and cheese contain trans fat naturally. I'm not willing to put "all cow products" in the "bad for your body" category.

jonnythan

Ridiculous. People should be accountable for their own health and quit pointing the finger. Processed food doesn't make you fat. Too much of any food does.

...Which foods you choose to eat along the way is totally up to you. I eat plenty of the "unhealthy" foods discussed in this thread and am doing just fine...

And will you be like the young body builder here on the forums who says that he "lives on junk food" and yet he admits to having a slight problem with a bit of high blood pressure? In five years, in ten years...

I like how you use quote marks to encapsulate a phrase no one ever said. Who are you talking about, though? At first I thought it was me, but I never said I live on junk food or have a blood pressure problem. Nor am I a bodybuilder.

BeachIron

Ridiculous. People should be accountable for their own health and quit pointing the finger. Processed food doesn't make you fat. Too much of any food does.

...Which foods you choose to eat along the way is totally up to you. I eat plenty of the "unhealthy" foods discussed in this thread and am doing just fine...

And will you be like the young body builder here on the forums who says that he "lives on junk food" and yet he admits to having a slight problem with a bit of high blood pressure? In five years, in ten years...

I guess some of us are just genetically superior creatures who can eat pizza and drink beer and maintain optimal health. I feel sorry for the rest of you.

magerum

I recently came across two reports that made me realize how much the choices we make affect our success.

The first one I heard on NPR. It was someone talking about how we’re “hard-wired”, …we’re made to want high fat, high calorie foods (and a lot of it). Our ancestors who ate as much of those things as they could, when they could are the ones who survived. The problem is, our ancestors didn’t have the abundance of these things that we do today. My take away? Don’t start eating these things, because it’s too hard to stop (and not just because I my willpower isn’t strong enough).

The other was an article in the NY Times magazine, that discussed how food manufacturers make the food we eat. The one thing that blew my mind? There is an actual term they use, called the “bliss factor” that is the point at which a food triggers a response in your body that makes you want to keep eating. Let me repeat this…they actually create foods with the goal to make it physically more difficult to put it down.

Wow, like it isn’t hard enough for me already! What this made me realize is that I really do need to focus on the items around the perimeter of the store. I have been aware of that for a while, but these two things made the light bulb go off for me…when I eat the things that are processed, I’m making it much harder on myself than it needs to be.

And why on earth would I do that?

Yep--food scientist know that humans prefer sugar, salt and fat in that order. And ice cream, because it contains all three in abundance, is the "perfect storm" of temptation. :devil:

Abundance? Here's what I've been eating daily for awhile now. I think we have different ideas of what abundance is. I'm guessing you'll ignore the fat and sodium, even though that's 2/3rds of your argument against ice cream.

The same serving size of Häagen-Dazs Vanilla is 270 calories. With 18 grams of sugar and 127 mg. of sodium. And while we are looking at it, really, who eats 1/2 cup of ice cream? Do you?

Nope, I eat 4. 127 mg of sodium and 18 g of sugar is hardly an abundance by any standard.

Yeah--whatever. Why is it that you guys jump in the paddy wagon and race to the rescue of your sacred cows every time they are mentioned (sorry for the mixed metaphor). Really, what's it to you that we like to talk about eating better and more healthfully? You're welcome to stuff yourself with ice cream until your sacred cows come home (to roost) to use another mixed metaphor. But can you just let us be concerned about the national waistline in peace?

A couple things.

1) You just insulted every Hindu. Good job on that, cows are sacred to them.


2) I AM talking bout eating better and "more healthfully". You seem to think your definition of those terms are the only correct ones. Once you realize that that is incorrect and accept that there are many ways to achieve this health you so often speak of you will find people may not be so quick to argue with you.

CoachReddy

Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

Which ones?

any with trans fats. you agree with that, dont ya? :happy:

Not at all, because beef, milk, and cheese contain trans fat naturally. I'm not willing to put "all cow products" in the "bad for your body" category.

again with the semantics. you knew what i meant. lol

Sharon_C

Do whatever works for you. If being a vegan or vegetarian makes you happy, then be that. I, personally, like eating sugar and will continue to do so in moderation. I don't want to live the rest of my life without it. If that's buying into big business and "The Bliss" factor, then so be it.

jonnythan

Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

Which ones?

any with trans fats. you agree with that, dont ya? :happy:

Not at all, because beef, milk, and cheese contain trans fat naturally. I'm not willing to put "all cow products" in the "bad for your body" category.

again with the semantics. you knew what i meant. lol

Huh? You said "any food with trans fats." A lot of foods naturally have trans fats.

That's not semantics.

What are you talking about, then?

Admiral_Derp

Wilbur_NOLA

This thread...

257_Lag

Bump to find tomorrow after I finished these two big macs!

CoachReddy

Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

Which ones?

any with trans fats. you agree with that, dont ya? :happy:

Not at all, because beef, milk, and cheese contain trans fat naturally. I'm not willing to put "all cow products" in the "bad for your body" category.

again with the semantics. you knew what i meant. lol

Huh? You said "any food with trans fats." A lot of foods naturally have trans fats.

That's not semantics.

What are you talking about, then?

i love how you play obtuse. it's so cute.

hydrogenated oils. happy?

jonnythan

Just as certain cars are "unsafe at any speed" some foods are really not very good for a body--moderation or not.

Which ones?

any with trans fats. you agree with that, dont ya? :happy:

Not at all, because beef, milk, and cheese contain trans fat naturally. I'm not willing to put "all cow products" in the "bad for your body" category.

again with the semantics. you knew what i meant. lol

Huh? You said "any food with trans fats." A lot of foods naturally have trans fats.

That's not semantics.

What are you talking about, then?

i love how you play obtuse. it's so cute.

hydrogenated oils. happy?

Hydrogenated oils are saturated fats and therefore don't have cis or trans isomers.

Did you mean partially hydrogenated oils?

magerum

Meh