The average person doesn't know what healthy is
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RealWorldStrengthLLC
Posts: 552 Member
I've had people ask me why I think I need to lose wieght when I'm at like 27% bf. I've heard people who would medically classify as obese say they are fairly healthy and a little overweight. I've had people tell me I'm weird for weighing out a steak, and call it obsessive to track what you put into your body, or be weirded out by things like almond milk, natural peanut butter, Himalayan pink salt, or calling my choice to 93% lean ground beef ridiculous etc etc., the list goes on.
This got me thinking - is the average American person really so unhealthy that anything remotely healthy seems foreign and weird?
This got me thinking - is the average American person really so unhealthy that anything remotely healthy seems foreign and weird?
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Replies
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I'd be in general agreement with the thread title. May be a bit more appropriate to say the average person doesn't really care enough about being healthy to take the steps needed for good general health.32
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Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.24
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I had no idea what obesity was until I checked my own BMI, I had no idea you could be obese and under 200lbs (at 5’2). I had thought it meant people on my 600lb life or something. But I still got health consequences even though I was still small enough my doctor didn’t mention my weight and no one cautioned me. I caried it well (proportional/even) but still. I think you may have a point. Now I’m BMI 29 and people are calling me skinny already uhm no16
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Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
Nutrition education is questionable, but as adults there are all sorts of resources on nutritious food, how to cook videos, etc. To me, it goes back to not caring enough to take action.10 -
The median American is sufficiently unhealthy as to be unaware of how to proactively be healthy.
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I'm a road cyclist. I've done 125 city miles in the last week, it only takes one texting driver to rewrite my life story. I wish the local drivers were more competent and food was the most dangerous thing in my life.43
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Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
I ate hamburger helper as a child and still make it today in a pinch <shrug>. Wasn’t aware that meant I couldn’t cook or eat properly... and what’s dangerous about it?47 -
youcantflexcardio wrote: »I've had people ask me why I think I need to lose wieght when I'm at like 27% bf. I've heard people who would medically classify as obese say they are fairly healthy and a little overweight. I've had people tell me I'm weird for weighing out a steak, and call it obsessive to track what you put into your body, or be weirded out by things like almond milk, natural peanut butter, Himalayan pink salt, or calling my choice to 93% lean ground beef ridiculous etc etc., the list goes on.
This got me thinking - is the average American person really so unhealthy that anything remotely healthy seems foreign and weird?
You couldn’t pay me to drink almond milk, and I’d say I am pretty healthy.32 -
I have people tell me that I'm too skinny or I've lost too much weight on a daily basis. These are people who knew me in high school. I weigh more now than I did in high school. I'm just more compact from actually having muscle. I'm not sure they are just that out of touch or if they are jealous that they don't have the desire to do the same. It's something though...just not exactly sure what.7
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I knew ALL REASON had left the house when I saw size 6x clothing in Walmart. People overeat and snack all day......not everyone but a high percentage.17
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WinoGelato wrote: »Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
I ate hamburger helper as a child and still make it today in a pinch <shrug>. Wasn’t aware that meant I couldn’t cook or eat properly... and what’s dangerous about it?
I think it could be potentially hazardous if you forget to cook the meat and mix it in raw?21 -
100_PROOF_ wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
I ate hamburger helper as a child and still make it today in a pinch <shrug>. Wasn’t aware that meant I couldn’t cook or eat properly... and what’s dangerous about it?
I think it could be potentially hazardous if you forget to cook the meat and mix it in raw?
Hamburger Helper Tartare. Who says we don't know how to cook?
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WinoGelato wrote: »Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
I ate hamburger helper as a child and still make it today in a pinch <shrug>. Wasn’t aware that meant I couldn’t cook or eat properly... and what’s dangerous about it?
I never understood this either. I mean, it's just ground beef, pasta & seasonings (depending on flavor I add onions and mushrooms). Add a pile of vegetables and it's a decent dinner.
I learned growing up how to cook and eat properly - always had vegetables and fruits around, my mother cut sugar in half in most of her recipes, etc., etc. I still got fat. I don't think I'm unusual - people know what healthy is, they just sometimes don't pay any attention to it.29 -
WinoGelato wrote: »Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
I ate hamburger helper as a child and still make it today in a pinch <shrug>. Wasn’t aware that meant I couldn’t cook or eat properly... and what’s dangerous about it?
I remember the time when mom went to work outside the home - unheard of in those days - to help "make ends meet". Hamburger appeared in the Hamburger Helper; scared the crap out of me the first time.16 -
A lot of people are in denial and a lot of people are just plain lazy and don't care.
They think they are a little over weight but not that bad.
Even seeing themselves in a mirror or picture they will still think they are OK.
I have no idea if nutrition is taught in school any more.
It was in the dark ages when I was in school, it was called Home Ec.
It's just like drivers. Ask anyone to rate their driving and they will almost all say they are an above average driver.
I knew ALL REASON had left the house when I saw size 6x clothing in Walmart.
In Hawaii that is not uncommon.
I saw clothing up to 12X hanging on the rack.
Made me feel small.
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youcantflexcardio wrote: »I've had people ask me why I think I need to lose wieght when I'm at like 27% bf. I've heard people who would medically classify as obese say they are fairly healthy and a little overweight. I've had people tell me I'm weird for weighing out a steak, and call it obsessive to track what you put into your body, or be weirded out by things like almond milk, natural peanut butter, Himalayan pink salt, or calling my choice to 93% lean ground beef ridiculous etc etc., the list goes on.
This got me thinking - is the average American person really so unhealthy that anything remotely healthy seems foreign and weird?
I'm not weirded out by foods, but almond milk, natural peanut butter, Himalayan pink salt, etc are not on my normal shopping list. I don't see why those particular foods have any more health 'virtue' than dairy milk, regular peanut butter, kosher salt, etc.
Just as I believe demonizing foods is an unhealthy approach, giving individual foods a 'health halo' is unhealthy too. An approach that includes a variety of foods that fit one's calorie needs and budget, and does so without creating arbitrary categories for virtue and vice, is preferable to whatever is fad of the moment.
The US could stand to improve education about food and exercise, and how energy balance is key to maintaining a healthy weight. Perhaps if we could do that we'd be less susceptible to fad diets and random lists of Top Ten Foods to Never Eat Again type nonsense.
A spiteful unikitty could only dream....52 -
snickerscharlie wrote: »100_PROOF_ wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
I ate hamburger helper as a child and still make it today in a pinch <shrug>. Wasn’t aware that meant I couldn’t cook or eat properly... and what’s dangerous about it?
I think it could be potentially hazardous if you forget to cook the meat and mix it in raw?
Hamburger Helper Tartare. Who says we don't know how to cook?
I can't remember the last time I ever had Hamburger Helper...but I can't imagine forgetting to brown the meat. LOL.
ETA: I may just pick some up next time I hit the store...for the danger of it.10 -
100_PROOF_ wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
I ate hamburger helper as a child and still make it today in a pinch <shrug>. Wasn’t aware that meant I couldn’t cook or eat properly... and what’s dangerous about it?
I think it could be potentially hazardous if you forget to cook the meat and mix it in raw?
Maybe the little animated oven mitt is going to smother me in my sleep?23 -
WinoGelato wrote: »Our nutrition education in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Many of us latch key kids grew up on hamburger helper, and didn’t learn to cook or eat properly, So the cycle continues. It’s downright dangerous.
I ate hamburger helper as a child and still make it today in a pinch <shrug>. Wasn’t aware that meant I couldn’t cook or eat properly... and what’s dangerous about it?
I remember the time when mom went to work outside the home - unheard of in those days - to help "make ends meet". Hamburger appeared in the Hamburger Helper; scared the crap out of me the first time.
I laughed way too hard, and only feel a little bad about it.youcantflexcardio wrote: »I've had people ask me why I think I need to lose wieght when I'm at like 27% bf. I've heard people who would medically classify as obese say they are fairly healthy and a little overweight. I've had people tell me I'm weird for weighing out a steak, and call it obsessive to track what you put into your body, or be weirded out by things like almond milk, natural peanut butter, Himalayan pink salt, or calling my choice to 93% lean ground beef ridiculous etc etc., the list goes on.
This got me thinking - is the average American person really so unhealthy that anything remotely healthy seems foreign and weird?
None of the highlighted are in my house, and aren't on my list of things to add to my diet. I do tend to meet most of my micro and macro needs through diet. Dietary tastes can vary significantly from one person to another. I wouldn't say that means they are unhealthy on that basis alone.
As for weight and people's perceptions, I have little doubt that as people are averaging higher and higher weights that perception of what is overweight shifts. At my height obesity begins at 28lbs above the cutoff for normal weight. It's possible to be healthy while obese, with the awareness that obesity places the individual at a higher risk of health complications.21
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