Because Americans are always being compared to Europeans. We’re fat, they’re not. It’s all the unhealthy crap in our food. Look back to videos prior to the mid 1980’s. Everyone is thin. When I went to HS in the 70’s we only had 1 or 2 morbidly obese kids in my class. We went to a HS football game a while back, even the cheerleaders were …
Because Americans are always being compared to Europeans. We’re fat, they’re not. It’s all the unhealthy crap in our food. Look back to videos prior to the mid 1980’s. Everyone is thin. When I went to HS in the 70’s we only had 1 or 2 morbidly obese kids in my class. We went to a HS football game a while back, even the cheerleaders were chunky. I try and cook single ingredient foods, but sometimes you want a Ritz cracker, especially if it’s topped with cream cheese and pepper jelly.
They’re getting fatter though. But many countries have a healthier food culture overall than we do. They prefer quality over quantity and take more time to eat and enjoy their food. They cook from scratch more. Not everyone, and there is certainly a recent trend towards more overeating and more junk food/treat foods that used to be more once a week or at most once a day things. More people used pre-prepared foods. But overall most European people have what I think is a healthier attitude with regard to food.
It's hard to compare countries without also comparing the cultures. European countries, who take more time to enjoy their food, like you say, also work fewer hours, do not have an entrepreneurial culture, live in denser neighborhoods where they walk places instead of drive, and have even more social programs than we do. We used to host teens for 2-3 week exchanges from European countries when we had teens at home as part of a non profit exchange program. They were amazed that we didn't walk anywhere, nearly all of them lived in apartments, or in row houses where a backyard didn't even exist. We hosted teens from Ukraine once where they said they couldn't sleep as it was 'too quiet' here. Used to traffic noise, neighbors, etc. None of them went to church, except maybe Christmas and Easter and thought it odd we went every week. Some would go with us, others were like, nah, I'll sleep in.
BUT the US is? (was?) the world's economic engine - going home for a 2 hour lunch in the middle of the day is not productive. Europe turned from religion long before the US, same with declining fertility rates, and labor productivity growth in the US has been more than double that of the eurozone for the past 20 years. I blame socialism. And yet, there is constant carping in the media that we should be 'more like Europe'.
I know it was tough with both of us working, kids at home and trying to make healthy meals at home with all their activities and ours too. But we made it work most of the time, although dinner may have been a turkey sandwich and carrot sticks in the car on the way to practice. And the kids complained that they didn't get to eat all the fast food like their friends did, lol.
The two hour lunch though, is by and large a thing of the past. Still, Europeans tend to take more time for their food, both preparing and eating. It’s easier for them to do so, but it’s also something they value. Our culture hasn’t seemed to put much of a premium on that for the most part.
Except for barbeque! KC is one of the barbeque capitals of the US and even churches and neighborhoods have barbeque contests. I have never done 'real' competitions, but I know a few who do, KC has several that are part of the 'circuit' - hours prepping and then staying up all night to monitor and so on....When I get my smoker out it's a whole weekend of prep, cook, portion and freeze and then cleanup. Cook enough for a dozen or more dinners plus turkey breasts and brisket for sandwiches.
Oh yes!! That is something quite apart!! 😍 I don’t know if you remember me saying but I lived in KC years ago, for about 5 years. We absolutely loved the barbecue and the barbecue culture. Now here in Indiana, my good friend’s husband participates in competitions and has won quite a few. He makes the best bbq I’ve had since I left KC 🤤😋
Well, we’re bored. How many of us munch when we’re bored? I know that’s me, right down to the ground (not a long way, I’ll allow). We’ve convenienced the work out of our days so we can spend it all working for Big <insert industry here> and here we are. They don’t have suburbs, so they probably don’t drive everywhere. US vs. Europe is not an equal comparison, true, but it is revealing. I think it would be very useful to compare ourselves to the way we used to live here in these United States.
I actually have seen more in France than ever, and not only older folks (who if overweight always tended to be on the portly/plump side, not morbidly obese) but younger people too 😕 It used to be just tourists but now locals are starting to be fatter also.
Totally agree with you. It’s worth it to fast often and recognize actual hunger pains. Push the limits of restraint to fully appreciate the taste of excellent food and not cater to the desire for junk food. Of course this does not include young growing individuals who must eat more and more often. We don’t have to stay fat!
Yes, supermarkets everywhere tend to have worse quality food and more junk. Certainly I found that in France also. The best is pretty much always from smaller producers and shops.
Yep, for part of my wife's masters thesis she collected old school photos which clearly shows what you describe. Go back to pre 2000 and there were hardly any overweight kids, let alone obese kids.
Because Americans are always being compared to Europeans. We’re fat, they’re not. It’s all the unhealthy crap in our food. Look back to videos prior to the mid 1980’s. Everyone is thin. When I went to HS in the 70’s we only had 1 or 2 morbidly obese kids in my class. We went to a HS football game a while back, even the cheerleaders were chunky. I try and cook single ingredient foods, but sometimes you want a Ritz cracker, especially if it’s topped with cream cheese and pepper jelly.
They’re getting fatter though. But many countries have a healthier food culture overall than we do. They prefer quality over quantity and take more time to eat and enjoy their food. They cook from scratch more. Not everyone, and there is certainly a recent trend towards more overeating and more junk food/treat foods that used to be more once a week or at most once a day things. More people used pre-prepared foods. But overall most European people have what I think is a healthier attitude with regard to food.
It's hard to compare countries without also comparing the cultures. European countries, who take more time to enjoy their food, like you say, also work fewer hours, do not have an entrepreneurial culture, live in denser neighborhoods where they walk places instead of drive, and have even more social programs than we do. We used to host teens for 2-3 week exchanges from European countries when we had teens at home as part of a non profit exchange program. They were amazed that we didn't walk anywhere, nearly all of them lived in apartments, or in row houses where a backyard didn't even exist. We hosted teens from Ukraine once where they said they couldn't sleep as it was 'too quiet' here. Used to traffic noise, neighbors, etc. None of them went to church, except maybe Christmas and Easter and thought it odd we went every week. Some would go with us, others were like, nah, I'll sleep in.
BUT the US is? (was?) the world's economic engine - going home for a 2 hour lunch in the middle of the day is not productive. Europe turned from religion long before the US, same with declining fertility rates, and labor productivity growth in the US has been more than double that of the eurozone for the past 20 years. I blame socialism. And yet, there is constant carping in the media that we should be 'more like Europe'.
I know it was tough with both of us working, kids at home and trying to make healthy meals at home with all their activities and ours too. But we made it work most of the time, although dinner may have been a turkey sandwich and carrot sticks in the car on the way to practice. And the kids complained that they didn't get to eat all the fast food like their friends did, lol.
Exactly, there are lots of factors in play.
The two hour lunch though, is by and large a thing of the past. Still, Europeans tend to take more time for their food, both preparing and eating. It’s easier for them to do so, but it’s also something they value. Our culture hasn’t seemed to put much of a premium on that for the most part.
Except for barbeque! KC is one of the barbeque capitals of the US and even churches and neighborhoods have barbeque contests. I have never done 'real' competitions, but I know a few who do, KC has several that are part of the 'circuit' - hours prepping and then staying up all night to monitor and so on....When I get my smoker out it's a whole weekend of prep, cook, portion and freeze and then cleanup. Cook enough for a dozen or more dinners plus turkey breasts and brisket for sandwiches.
Oh yes!! That is something quite apart!! 😍 I don’t know if you remember me saying but I lived in KC years ago, for about 5 years. We absolutely loved the barbecue and the barbecue culture. Now here in Indiana, my good friend’s husband participates in competitions and has won quite a few. He makes the best bbq I’ve had since I left KC 🤤😋
And I do think many Europeans get more daily movement - not necessarily rigorous exercise, but just walking.
Yes, they have to put less effort in making sure they move their bodies every day.
Well, we’re bored. How many of us munch when we’re bored? I know that’s me, right down to the ground (not a long way, I’ll allow). We’ve convenienced the work out of our days so we can spend it all working for Big <insert industry here> and here we are. They don’t have suburbs, so they probably don’t drive everywhere. US vs. Europe is not an equal comparison, true, but it is revealing. I think it would be very useful to compare ourselves to the way we used to live here in these United States.
Yes agreed. Food, especially junk food, is also extremely accessible, it’s absolutely everywhere!
Extended trip to Spain and Portugal last December. During the trip I saw ONE fat dude.
He was in my mirror every morning.
😆
I actually have seen more in France than ever, and not only older folks (who if overweight always tended to be on the portly/plump side, not morbidly obese) but younger people too 😕 It used to be just tourists but now locals are starting to be fatter also.
😂
Totally agree with you. It’s worth it to fast often and recognize actual hunger pains. Push the limits of restraint to fully appreciate the taste of excellent food and not cater to the desire for junk food. Of course this does not include young growing individuals who must eat more and more often. We don’t have to stay fat!
That's because they drive more. They used to walk everywhere. Not anymore.
Yes true. And they eat more. Things that used to be occasional treats are eaten more often.
I shop for wild caught fish.
Yes, supermarkets everywhere tend to have worse quality food and more junk. Certainly I found that in France also. The best is pretty much always from smaller producers and shops.
Yep, for part of my wife's masters thesis she collected old school photos which clearly shows what you describe. Go back to pre 2000 and there were hardly any overweight kids, let alone obese kids.
I very specifically remember an incident in 1979.when I was a high school senior and was horrified to find that I was 190 lbs.
My fraternity pic just the next year shows a fit young raconteur - albeit noticeably smug - who held the world by a string.
It's not only that, you feel better eating that food. When I visit my mom I eat mor , yet I loose weight and never feel stuffed.
I like Trader Joe Golden Round crackers better than Ritz when I need a guilty pleasure cracker.