Losing weight is harder in the south! Can anyone relate?
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I can definitely agree I live in MO and its like that everywhere especially w/ my family. There are healthier options out there you just have to do your homework. Like others stated look up the nutritional facts online or on here and be prepared before you get to the restaurant. If you get a sandwich or a wrap at a fast food place just get it w/o the mayo or the sauce that reduces a lot of calories. Or if you do get a salad get the dressing on the side and dip your fork into the dressing, you will be surprised how much less dressing you actually use that way. Many places now offer apples instead of fries too which helps. My go to fast food meal is Wendy's I get a small chili (has veggies and is very filling) about 230 cal. and a plain grilled chicken wrap about 260 I think....and then I add a little bbq sauce on it when I get home. As for the pastries and desserts try to say no ,but if you do give in just eat a smaller portion. If you can't avoid it and give in just try to exercise more that day. Trust me it does get easier with time.0
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no it isn't, but there are more obstacles to overcome.0
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Born and raised in the south. The food here is yummy, but not so healthy. I have found that in a hurry it's harder. Some of my fast food options are the ultimate grilled chicken sandwich with no sauce at Wendy's, the grilled chicken salad with no cheese and no fried onions from Zaxby's, both are yummy low cal, filling and good sources of protein. At Zaxby's I use light dressing and even do it on the side. In a pinch, I will do an All American Hamburger meal from McDonald's not the best choice, but a better choice that a quarter pounder. McDonald's does not have very good healthy choices at all, they like to load everything with cheese and if it's grilled, they want to add bacon. Grilled chicken sandwich, no sauce and a fruit cup from Chick Fil A is another good one. I don't always make good choices, but I am making better choices. Glad you are enjoying southern living. Feel free to add me if you like.0
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I travel a fair amount and have noticed that this true not just in the south but any area 40-50 miles outside of a major city. When I'm stuck, I go to McDonalds or Wendy's and get a grilled chicken sandwich. They load it with Mayo so I'll scrape off 90% of it before consuming.
IMO, it seems to all lead back to money. Healthy food isn't cheap and suppliers and distributors aren't going to supply it where its not economically viable regardless if they customers willing to buy or not.
Yes, I agree. That's my problem. I live about 30-45 minutes outside of Alabama's biggest city, Birmingham (where are ARE healthy choices and places to walk). There are a lot of restaurants out here and they are ALL fast food. It seems to be all about economics.0 -
It is tough if you have a southern heritage! My homemade biscuits "will make you slap your mama!" Anyway, now I only make them once in a while instead of every day!
I also make sure when I have time to cook (saturdays and sundays), I make enough to have at least one more meal of it during the week. Also, the crockpot is my best friend, you can throw together the ingredients in the morning and come home to a delicious smelling house and ready to eat! Other busy days we'll do soup and sandwich, either make your own in crockpot or get some of the healthier canned ones, campbells, progresso, etc have some wonderful healthy options for the whole family. Homemade taco or burrito night is also pretty quick and easy, ground turkey or cut up leftover chicken, lettuce, lowfat cheese, salsa, drained and rinsed canned beans, and you have a fun meal for everyone!
I've also found some great new healthy recipes on www.skinnytaste.com0 -
FRESCO is a great alternative. I eat Fresco chicken soft tacos for lunch once a week. Each one is 150 calories.Taco Bell has the "drive though diet" menu??0 -
I just moved here from California a year ago. it's not harder, in fact i am in better shape here than I was in Cali. The problem is honestly the choices and lack of exercise.
Southern states make up a majority of the top overweight states in America. Texas is 13th and Mississippi is #1. If you don't workout AND don't eat right you will be out of shape. I love food but i am definitely not going to eat it because it's in front of me.0 -
I know just what you mean. I live right on the corner of two major streets and i've got a Mcdonalds, a pizza place, a Sonic, three bars, a steak joint and two Chinese food places right next to my apartment! I don't even have to get in the car.
I stock up on a lot of quick things because I don't cook much now that I'm living alone. I've always got popcorn (the lightest on the butter of course) I like the frozen dinners like Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice, they have the calorie counts right on the front of the box to make it easy. I love the Kashi trail mix bars for breakfast when i'm in a hurry. and I always keep a loaf of wheat bread and low sodium turkey or chicken breast in the fridge for a quick sandwich. All simple things that take minutes to make and just as simple to keep your calorie counts. Also, as someone stated previously, eggs are always a quick and easy thing too. You can even hard boil a few and save them in the fridge to have some ready.
When I do run through a drive thru I always get something with grilled chicken breast. Either a salad or a sandwich and with the sandwich I tell them to make it plain or no mayo. Subway is always also a good quick choice.0 -
Yeah. Trust me, we have the same problems up north. I'm in Chicago... we love to show our love to others through food, and the fast food is just as plentiful! Let me add on Italian beef, Polish sausages, deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs...... oy!
Mmmmm Lou Malnatis Pizzeria Due!!!! Yum Yum!!0 -
I really cant complain. If I dont have the chance to eat out I'll have panera, subway, salad works or salad bar form a supermarket.
Here in PA a law that passed about a year and a half ago came to effect. All restaurants must have
the calories on the menu. I love it...sorry dont mean to brag...Only thing I could think of is planning meals ahead, bringing healthy
snacks with you and for gatherings eat less. My rule has been if its unhealthy I'll have it once during the week (cake, Ice cream, candy etc....) the rest in moderation. So only one birthday a week will I eat some of the stuff. The other places I just try not to eat if there's no healthy options. I've had a few failings but I was able to maintain my weight....until now that I'm preggo, just trying to gain the healthy way.0 -
I've lived in Marietta, GA for the past year and I've noticed that many people in the South look down on being slim and they encourage very bad eating habits. All of the restaurants you have listed, I can list as many healthier restaurants. I stay away from fast food places as much as possible. I love Publix's produce options and Trader Joe's organic foods also.0
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ummmm...thats everywhere girl. not just down south. so panty up and get your butt in gear
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I agree with you! I am from Mississippi and there are very limited places to eat. Also, when I cook, it seems that we eat the same thing all the time. I eat alot of unhealthy foods because that is traditional cooking in the south. Especially since the crops are ready. The good peas, corn, cornbread, potatoes, etc... But of course, we add all the wrong things to these good veggies that makes it unhealthy.0
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It isn't just the South.
What is the South is the idea that macaroni and cheese is a "veggie."
Yeah, I don't get that. I almost choked the first time my in-laws served my son rice and mac and cheese at the same meal and told him to eat his veggies.0 -
being a southerner is about the worst excuse i have ever heard. Mcdonalds isnt just in the south, and starbucks has danishes across the US. In texas we have dairy queen, you probably have culvers. Fast food is fast food and no matter what state you're in, its always junk. And youre right, we southerners simply have tastier food than yankees
however, when my family fries chicken, makes gravy out of the grease and globs it on top of potatoes that are yellow with butter, guess what? They know i wont eat it, and they offer, and i say no thanks. Go grocery shopping and buy healthy food, or do what so many other people do and whine that you dont have a choice. Btw, im born and bred texan, and im a vegetarian. Do you think texas restaurants care that i dont eat meat and want health food? No. You learn what you can eat or you dont go. i can get a healthy vegetarian meal at a bbq joint or a steakhouse, so dont say you dont have options. As my grandpa says,"dont pee on my leg and tell me its raining." 0 -
I leave in NC for 11 years now and since moved over here (from Brazil) I've gained about 20 lbs...:frown: Lots of fry foods, barb-q, zaxby's... and mainly, LOTS OF POOR CHOICES ON MY PART!! it's hard! But since I started my mission to lose this extra weight, I cook my own food now. I bring lunch to work everyday, inspite of having an office inside of a mall and can smell Chick-Fil-A and all other fast food restaurant, I realized that we make the choices of what we eat...Even if you are always in a hurry (like me) and it would be MUCH easier and faster to stop at these chains restaurants, you have to be commited and you have to plan your meals ahead of time to be able to eat healthy.
I always have a protein bar in my purse in case I don't have time to prepare a meal ahead of time... but I refuse to stop at fast food places and ruin all my efforts.0 -
I feel very similarly in Alaska, becasue we are so isolated, everything is very expensive and limited. Veggies and fruits are not very good looking when they have been trucked a couple thousand miles. We spend 9 months of the year in the cold and the dark, it is very hard to stay motivated when all you want to do is sleep. Every state has it's set backs!0
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sounds like louisiana! lol i only eat out once a week, so it doesnt really bother me, but if i do happen to eat out somewhere during the week i know i'm screwed because there is not a healthy eating place in sight!0
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I'm in Houston so much further south than you and it's pretty much the same. Hell, when I lived in Sacramento, ca it was the same. I think it's America in general.... But... No excuses! In a modern society that revolves around convineance it's going to be difficult. That's probably why alot of us are here to begin with. It being tough just makes success that much more fulfilling. 0
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:laugh: I agree!!0 -
It's not a southern thing. I'm from Colorado, and they have the exact same crap you just listed. And yet, Colorado is the fittest state. It's easy to make excuses for poor health, including "oh well fast food is so easy". Go load up on groceries, and made and freeze healthy soups/casseroles/whatever. That way you always have something to grab on the go. I live in Kentucky now, and there are just as many crap food options here, as anywhere else in the country. Just gotta say no and take responsibility. Don't blame the south.0
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Southerner here who has managed to be pretty thin most of my life. I really don't know that many people that cook like that. I haven't seen or heard of anyone using lard since probably before you were born. It may be true that like minded people attract each other. I do cook a lot of my own food. If I have to eat fastfood, there is subway or a salad with GRILLED chicken and lite dressing, a grilled chicken sandwich, and a small mcdonalds or bk hamburger has less than 300 calories I believe.
is there a whole foods in bham that you could go to once or twice a week and get some premade dishes to have on hand. Look at peoples food diaries for ideas on quick easy things to have on hand. I rarely eat fried food. No, my weakness is any kind of creamy, rich french sauce. I have found though, the more I eat fried food, the more I develop a taste for it and the less I eat it, the less I like it. hmmm, same for bad fast food, too.
As far as exercise, I love to run in the summer. The more I sweat the better. It feels cleansing to me. So much rather exercise in the heat than the cold.0 -
I feel ya! I live in Mobile. I find it hard to lose weight and keep it off. My husband and I eat at home everydau but Sunday after church we go to lunch and Tuesday I eat with his grandma and aunts for lunch at the unhealthiest resturant ever hince the name Burger Master. People don't understand unless they are from the south. We are not lazy we just relate food to EVERYTHING!! Got a promation lets go to dinner, bored lets go to waffle house, got fired lets go get ice cream, freinds come over lets barbeque, football you know you gotta have game time food!0
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It is tough if you have a southern heritage! My homemade biscuits "will make you slap your mama!" Anyway, now I only make them once in a while instead of every day!
I
I make homemade biscuits about once a week and homemade cornbread about 4-5 times a week, its something that I will NEVER give up and my cornbread is probably th ebest you will ever taste, no joke! Like Jason Aldean says "we like corn bread and biscuits" 0 -
OMG! YES I know exactly how you feel. South Louisiana..... home of everything fried, stews, gumbos, jambalya, etouffees. Just like you said get togethers are never healthly unless we eating boiled shrimp or crawfish which has sooooo much sodium, its crazy. I am going strong for now but its hard. And suggesting brown rice or wheat bread is out of the question. lol. So at home I make white rice and dont eat it.... Im hungry. LOL!0
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I think that's the whole country... sounds just like every place i've lived. of course we have subways
mcdonald's soutwest salad with grilled chicken is very low calorie even with the dressing. of course the sodium is outrageous.0 -
I understand what you mean about not having choices. I live in North Central Florida which is very similar to Georgia and Alabama. My town has a population of 5,000 people and our restaurants choices are: 2 steak places, Sonnys BBQ, Mexican, Chinese (dirty) and Seafood (dirty). Fast food is McDonald's, Subway, Wendy's, Checkers, Arby's, and Taco Bell. Even our grocery store selection is terrible: Walmart or Winn-Dixie. What I would give for a Publix...It makes me really sad because about 80% of our town is obese. And all of the restaurants offer AUCE (All You Can Eat). Well, just because you CAN eat it all doesn't mean you SHOULD eat it all...This is the mentality that we are raised with. We got our first gym about 7 years ago. Now we have 3! Yesterday I went to Sonny's because they have a great salad bar (I like choosing what goes in my salad and how much) and you can get a grilled chicken for $1 extra. Next to me an older couple asked if they had a gluten-free menu. The waitress looked at them like they spoke a foreign language and said (in a country accent of course) "Uh...what's gluten?" I got on my phone hoping to help them out and guess what? Sonny's doesn't have a gluten-free menu. She got the manager and even he was confused at to what this "gluten" thing was. So the solution in a small town is to either be prepared and cook all of your meals or do your research ahead of time and know exactly what to get before you get there.0
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I travel all across the US due to my job, and 70% of that travel is in the deep south so I have a unique perspective. IT IS DIFFERENT. Most of it is due to culture and economics.
Unless you are on a fried chicken diet, you will have a harder time finding healthy options. It is true that you can find fast food joints anywhere but they dominate the landscape - especially outside of the major (relative term) cities. Also, most of the privately owned restaurants serve southern recipies (fried anything) with no eye to providing nutritional information. The biggest thing I see though is that there really isn't a cultural pressure to be fit and thin and quite a few people are overweight.
Can you make healthy choices and find better alternatives in the south? Sure, I do it all the time. Personal responsibility is still King (or should be). But it can be relativley more challenging.0 -
Sounds VERY familiar to me... I live in northeastern Wisconsin.
I think that is the case EVERYWHERE -- I would think it would be easier in a warm climate though -- winter all you wanna do is hibernate in a big sweatshirt and eat warm comfort foods!!! and winter here is like 8 months -lol!! But then again, I LOVE the hot weather probably cause we rarely have it!
Best of luck to you - you just gotta want it and be prepared by not running out of groceries 0 -
I think it's an excuse. The same restaurants are available everywhere in the US, yet somehow in other states they don't have the same obesity levels. It's the lifestyle more than anything else and you can change yours.Hey guys,
Just wondering if there are any southern people out there struggling with the same issues as me. I live in Alabama and I while I love living down here, it does make it so much harder to lead a healthy lifestyle. For instance, let's say I've run out of groceries, got out of class late, and need to pick up some dinner on my way home. What will I find? McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, Zaxby's, etc. There are no healthy options!! Unless I want a wilted salad that's covered in fried chicken and ranch dressing...
My friends down here all like to get together and cook delicious, unhealthy food because that's the southern way! At work, it's someone's birthday and we celebrate with soda, chips, cookies, cupcakes. The Starbucks at my university doesn't have anything to eat except fatty pastries, doughnuts, and cookies. Everywhere I turn, I encounter temptation and bad choices. I have a lot of determination and self-control but short of cooking every meal for myself, what should I eat?
Any suggestions, advice, or general comments would be appreciated! And feel free to add me
I agree it being an excuse, I live in California and let me tell you we have fast food joints everywhere you go. My family likes cooking authentic Mexican food, with lard, I think it's about portion and wanting to change to a healthier lifestyle. Shoot, I'll be there first to tell you, I'm still learning, I'm 33 and been off and on the wagon for many years. It's tough for sure, but not impossible. When I go over to my parents I do tend to overeat, I mean real home cookin' is hard to pass up but I have to remember to eat in moderation and not eat "Authentic" anything everyday as to why I am in my current boat.0
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