
This is healthy. You're probably not eating it.
The supermarket made me do it: Why are we so fat?
Here's an interesting thought: What if you're not to blame for your weight problem?
What if the fault could be laid squarely at the feet of food manufacturers and marketers, grocery store managers, restaurant operators, food vendors -- the people who make food so visible, available and mouth-watering?
Several recent studies, papers and a popular weight-loss book argue that eating is an automatic behavior triggered by environmental cues that most people are unaware of -- or simply can't ignore.















Thoughts
Healthy eating is not expensive
Submitted on January 14th, 2008 by The Big KlosowskiFunny you mention that, I used to think exactly the same way in comparative costs of food. I've actually found since we made our switch, healthy eating costs us less per month. The reason is that we have found that most restaurants have unhealthy food - even when they try to be healthy. So instead of eating out all the time, my wife and I cook at home now. We can easily put together a meal for both of us consisting of whole grain rice, lightly steamed or seared vegetables, and a fish/chicken/pork protein for about $10. That's $5 per person, and there's usually leftovers for lunch the next day. Sure, we splurge from time to time with different vegetables or meats, but for the most part it is very cost effect. I take packed turkey sandwiches for lunch on wheat bread, with carrots as a snack - $3 max for lunch.
I've actually found that after a year of preparing our own food without all the extra grease and sugar that restaurants use to make their food more attractive, eating out is less appealing every day.
Where I find being healthy is expensive is in the cost for a gym or other motivating activity. Exercise by yourself is a difficult routine to stick to. And when you are working long days, it gets even worse. It took my wife forcing me into the first steps to make it happen.
I can also tell you this. Before I changed my diet, I was really tired at work, my sleeping patterns were off, and I always felt tired - too tired to work out for sure. What I didn't realize was the white flour, and added sugars, where sapping my energy in ways I couldn't imagine. Also, the more out of shape I got, the more tired I was.
I find by running a couple of miles in the morning before work, I have energy that lasts all day - even though I'm doing more activity than before. It's a strange thing indeed.
Speaking as somebody who
Submitted on January 14th, 2008 by FRTN500CEOSpeaking as somebody who currently is overweight, I have to agree that there is a great degree of personal responsibility involved. Discipline is a hard thing to come by these days and most Americans simply don't have it...including myself.
However, one must also consider the finances involved with truely healthy eating. The fact is, when you are a low-income family, the frozen food section is a lot more cost effective then the fresh fruits and vegetables.
The supermarket as a scapegoat...
Submitted on January 14th, 2008 by ReneeIs it difficult to make healthy choices at the supermarket when there are so many unhealthy options? Definititely.
Is it a challenge to control portions when things are always "super-sized"? Yes.
Is it the supermarket's fault? Absolutely not.
For the majority of people, weight gain and obesity are a direct result of consuming more calories than they are expending. We cannot blame the supermarket for weight gain, most people know what they should be eating and simply choose not to. Blaming others is always easier that accepting personal responsibility for our actions.
Weight Loss and Food
Submitted on January 14th, 2008 by The Big KlosowskiMy wife and I have lost a combined 60+ pounds in less than a year.
How? Did I switch supermarkets? Well, kind of. Basically we switched which sections inside the market that we visit. Gone are the frozen entrees, added are fresh vegetables. Gone are the bologna sandwiches, in came turkey. Butter - out, olive oil - in, white bread - out, wheat bread - in.
Oh, and I did I mention no fast food for over a year - unless you count a Subway sandwich on wheat.
And we both exercise an hour a day, and feel much better for it.
So did the supermarket make us fat, sure did - especially the ice cream section. I would hate to blame my own choices. :-)