non fat food

[Sarah R]

Can I just say how lucky I think Americans are for the number of nonfat foods available in your supermarkets!!!! In New Zealand we don't have nonfat cream cheese, nonfat sour cream, nonfat or lowfat cheese or mozzarella, nonfat potato chips, or nonfat chocolate! This makes it impossible to cook many of the recipes posted in Cooking Light, with the stated amount of fat and calories. With all of these foods available in the USA I find it hard to understand how anyone can be overweight - surely its just a matter of retraining your tastebuds to enjoy these products???

[MrsReber]

Sarah, I often wonder, too, why Americans as a whole are so overweight as compared to other countries. I think the problem is the abundance of food available and all the fast food/pre-made food available. Most people (not the folks on this BB) would rather go for the convenience of the "bad" items than spend the time to make their own healthy food. It is very unfortunate. I prefer a healthy home made pizza to a frozen pizza loaded with salt and who knows what else.

My husband frequently asks for Boston Chicken (fast food) but I just cannot bring my self to eat it with all the fat and salt it contains. I know that if I eat bad food, I feel bad the next day. Not worth it. Too bad not everyone wants to take the time to eat healthier and live a healthier lifestyle.

[Joyce]

I think part of the problem in America is all the non-fat products. People tend to forget that non-fat is NOT non-calorie. They sometimes tend to think they can eat twice as much. Also, America seems to be the only place where eating out means you expect enough food on your plate to feed three to four. Look at our soft drinks lately, who really needs a 32 and now 64 oz. soda for 79 cents???

[emilycat]

I think sometimes we take for granted the fact that we have so many products available (although I've never heard of nonfat chocolate...I'd have a stash of it they made it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif ). It's easier than you think, though, for a lot of Americans to be overweight. Just because something's lowfat doesn't mean it's low calorie, and people will eat tons of low fat and fat free cookies and chips, etc., completely ignorant of the fact that more calories consumed than burned equals weight gain. The primary reason it's a good idea for people trying to lose weight keep track of their fat intake is because frequently, high fat = high calorie, not because eating fat makes you fat. In fact, athletes tend to perform significantly better if they consume at least 20% of their calories from fat. The reason Americans are so overweight is because it takes effort to prepare low fat foods, and it's easy to go to a drive through. We may have a lot of low fat and fat free options, but they're far outnumbered by all the unhealthy choices we're faced with.

[greta]

i've spent time with friends in provence, france. and they sure know how to live.

they don't use low-fat or fat-free products but they take the time to make nice meals and they eat in moderation. our meal-time was filled with conversation and laughs--it wasn't only about eating. we had cheese after every meal, but we only had a bit at a time. there were no super super big gulps, extra extra value meals, etc..

there was no guilt for enjoying good cheese, and having delicious bread (those evil carbs! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif ).

i'm sure there are many reasons for the differences and for the rise in obesity of americans...this was just one experience--quality of life!

[LIsaP]

I agree with all that has been stated! Fat free is not calorie free. Also, so much fat free food is not satisfying-therefore people keep eating more to feel satisfying. If they had just eaten the real thing, they would probably have been satisfied with a small amount and eaten less calories.

I think that fat free food and fat free mentality in America is a huge problem. People need fat to live and thrive-good fats. So much fat free food has hydrogenated oils and transfatty acids which are really bad for you!

[emilycat]

greta just reminded me of something. I was in Europe for a month this summer, and before I went, I agonized over being able to eat like I usually do. I cook for myself all the time, I eat really healthfully, I'm an avid runner and anal about my weight. I totally freaked out that I would gain weight,but when I got back, I had actually lost 2 pounds (which, I might add, have come back, plus 2 more) My boyfriend and I ate so well (I would like to emphasize that point http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) We never skimped on a good meal (well, almost never) I ate real pesto, waterzooie, gelato, you name it...but their portion sizes are normal and we didn't ever snack. Americans have way too much access to quickie foods, and we place way to much emphasis on getting in and getting out of a restaurant in as little time as possible, eating as much as possible for the least amount of money. I loved in Europe how everyone relishes their time; they linger over meals, cherishing each other's company and savoring each and every bite of food. I think if most Americans took the time to really enjoy making, as well as eating, their food,not to mention their company (oops,not eating their company, enjoying it I mean http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) they'd be so much more satisfied. I think everyone should be able to experience that kind of lifestyle. Gosh, I'm long winded today. Sorry. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif

[bijoux22]

The daily activity level of most Americans is far below Europeans. Most Europeans would not dream of driving to the corner store, never mind a drive thru restaurant super sized meal full of bad fats that is eaten in the car.

[Cathy]

I believe that the fast food franchises being so available has a lot to do with Americans being overweight. Then you have some people who are scared of real food anymore by being so paranoid of 'any' fat. Good grief! I agree, it's the calories that add the pounds. The body needs some fat as long as it is the good fat, olive oil-walnuts, etc, and is eaten in moderation. Then there are some people who don't care what they put into their mouths as long as it is super sized, fast & cheap. Why do Americans need all those gigantic sizes? Are we really that hungry? It's unfortunate that the pace of most Americans' lives is so frantic now. So little time is devoted to the pleasures of dining with family and friends and the joy of sharing a table of wonderfully prepared food.

[SandyDee]

I agree that I think Americans have a different approach to food. I think too many Americans find it inconvenient to cook. I have 2 friends that are dieting right now. The first friends diet consists of coffee and cigarettes for breakfast, soup and diet soda for lunch and a bag of microwave popcorn EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! My second friend has a somewhat healthier approach, however one that I believe makes her destined to fail. She has yogurt or cereal for breakfast, a chicken breast and a piece of fruit for lunch and a chicken breast and a piece of fruit for supper. EVERY SINGLE DAY. Neither are getting any variety, therefore missing out on necessary vitamins and minerals. And since there is no variety will tire of this menu soon and will not be able to stay on it. They are not making a lifetime commitment. They both tell me they can't see how I can cook for just myself. But then I don't see how they can cheat themselves out of one of my favorite times of the day. Mealtime.

[Grace]

I agree with all of you. Besides the super sized everything and the terribly unhealthy fast and junk foods, we get NO excercise in this country. In Europe everyone walks or rides their bikes everywhere. The streets and parking places are so small, you can't take a car most places. My girlfriend just moved here from Germany 3 years ago, and she's gained weight and complained about it. I told her, when you were in Germany, you used to walk everywhere, right? She looked at me in surprise (that she hadn't thought of this), and said, you know, I didn't even own a car in Germany. I walked or rode my bike everywhere (and she worked in a Konditorei - Germany bakery - for eight years. You'd think she would have been heavier then!). Here, she takes her car everywhere, just like all other Americans, and getting an hour of walking in a day is like a MAJOR workout for most Americans. And they're eliminating Phys Ed in almost every school now. And our kids are fatter than ever now because of it. TV, junk food and no excercise - bad combination....

[MrsReber]

Joyce, you are so right! My husband and I went out to eat last night. We were served a loaf of bread, TWO big bowls of salad (family style) one was cabbage salad and the other a regular salad drenched in some sort of vinagrette with tons of oil, then my dinner came and I could hardly eat it! The dish was HUGE! I brought enough home that I will have lunch for two days.

On the topic of non fat foods not filling you up. That is so very true. The fat digests more slowly, making you feel full longer. If you eat a bag of non fat pretzels, you'll be hungry again in no time. I do not deprive myself and I have been able to maintain a good weight. Moderation is the key, for sure.

[MaryB]

Sarah,

I rarely use low or no fat products with the exception of skim milk, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat sour cream. I try not to buy too many pre-processed foods whether they are regular or low-fat because of all the junk (sugar, salt, trans-fats and countless other preservatives). When I see a CL recipe that uses a low or no fat ingredient I usually go ahead and try it anyways. If one dish in a meal is a little higher in fat then I try to make the rest of the meal lower in fat.

I agree with what the other folks here have said about Americans relying too much on convenience and fast foods.

[valeriek]

You are all right on about American's and our weight problem. The exercising problem is really key. Our lives are so fast paced and our time is taken up by work, family, and whatever else we have going on that there is no time to exercise. I hate the fact that I have to do my aerobics video late at night because that is the only time I can find to exercise. I would love to be able to walk or ride my bike to work, but those cars on these darn DC roads would kill me! People at work take the elevator up ONE FLOOR!!! Americans are so overweight because exercise is not part or our lives.

How's that for my soap box. P.S. I admit that I can't live without my two 20 oz. regular cokes everyday. Buy I do exercise http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif