Is it fair to blame junk food companies for people being overweight?

[airplanemechanic]

But it doesn't matter, it's all an excuse. What do good excuses and bad excuses have in common? They are both excuses.

Just because bad food is cheap doesn't make people buy it. They still have to put it in the cart and then check out and then bring it home and put it in the pantry.

 

[hjmick]

May as well blame the silverware...

 

[Asclepias]

Before we had hamburgers. Now we have the quadrouple double triple bacon cheeseburger.

Yes, food has changed, but one thing that hasn't, nobody forces you to eat. Processed food, non processed, doesn't matter. It's still calories in / calories out.

Yes your body forces you to eat. Thats one reason why starving yourself is not a good idea. It actually cause the body to retain/store more fat. Calories in/out is a simplistic assessment. Most people have to pay attention to find out the amount of calories. At that point it becomes a mental thing. Advertising controls what most people think about. What is the difference between a Pinto and 550 SL Mercedes? The answer is nothing. Both will get you where you need to go

Not necessarily. The Mercedes will last a lot longer if properly maintained. You could compare a Mercedes and a Honda, however.

But it doesn't matter, it's all an excuse. What do good excuses and bad excuses have in common? They are both excuses.

Just because bad food is cheap doesn't make people buy it. They still have to put it in the cart and then check out and then bring it home and put it in the pantry.

Pretty much that is the main reason. Its cheap so it costs less. Not only that the companies sell convenience and better taste via advertising.

 

[Asclepias]

May as well blame the silverware...

Or blame the companies and marketing like we said earlier. Read this article. Pretty interesting.

The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

But why do Americans buy so much processed food and junky snacks? Well, first of all, junk foods are heavily promoted by the US government via agricultural subsidies for crops like corn and soy.

Add to that misleading yet highly effective marketing, and — the focus of this article — the addictive nature of junk food, which is a science in and of itself.

 

[ninja007]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

 

[Pogo]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

Drop wheat. That will get you 40 all by itself. I speak from experience.
Of course that would require admitting that it IS in part the food supply...

 

[ninja007]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

Drop wheat. That will get you 40 all by itself. I speak from experience.
Of course that would require admitting that it IS in part the food supply...

thanks Pogo. I'm addicted to carbs and bread and dough. I know wheat is in almost everything

 

[ninja007]

when I had my motorcycle accident I went from 240 to 200 in 6 weeks on my liquid diet but gained it all back after I got my mouth wires cut off (jaw).

 

[ninja007]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

Drop wheat. That will get you 40 all by itself. I speak from experience.
Of course that would require admitting that it IS in part the food supply...

how much did you lose and how much do you weigh now if you don't mind?

 

[Pogo]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

Drop wheat. That will get you 40 all by itself. I speak from experience.
Of course that would require admitting that it IS in part the food supply...

how much did you lose and how much do you weigh now if you don't mind?

The first time I dropped wheat (I did it twice) I dropped 40 pounds. All I did was shift from sandwiches to salads, and ate as much as I wanted, even more than I was eating before -- and 40 went away. It's partly because wheat just isn't what it used to be.

This second time I had to take more off, so in addition to dropping wheat I stopped eating late at night, as you mentioned. You have to be able to burn it off. All told I've dropped some 65 pounds since last winter and would ideally drop another 10 to get to what I consider my ideal weight, but I'm way closer than I used to be.

I have a physiology like yours -- I love breads and muffins and pastries and pastas and cookies. It takes a reeducation and sacrifice.

More on modern wheat here

 

[ninja007]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

Drop wheat. That will get you 40 all by itself. I speak from experience.
Of course that would require admitting that it IS in part the food supply...

how much did you lose and how much do you weigh now if you don't mind?

The first time I dropped wheat (I did it twice) I dropped 40 pounds. All I did was shift from sandwiches to salads, and ate as much as I wanted, even more than I was eating before -- and 40 went away. It's partly because wheat just isn't what it used to be.

This second time I had to take more off, so in addition to dropping wheat I stopped eating late at night, as you mentioned. You have to be able to burn it off. All told I've dropped some 65 pounds since last winter and would ideally drop another 10 to get to what I consider my ideal weight, but I'm way closer than I used to be.

I have a physiology like yours -- I love breads and muffins and pastries and pastas and cookies. It takes a reeducation and sacrifice.

More on modern wheat here

thanks Pogo. You are a very nice person for this. Are you a guy or girl? (no need to answer, just curious). I'm a guy, 41 years old, 6 ft 1.

 

[Pogo]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

Drop wheat. That will get you 40 all by itself. I speak from experience.
Of course that would require admitting that it IS in part the food supply...

how much did you lose and how much do you weigh now if you don't mind?

The first time I dropped wheat (I did it twice) I dropped 40 pounds. All I did was shift from sandwiches to salads, and ate as much as I wanted, even more than I was eating before -- and 40 went away. It's partly because wheat just isn't what it used to be.

This second time I had to take more off, so in addition to dropping wheat I stopped eating late at night, as you mentioned. You have to be able to burn it off. All told I've dropped some 65 pounds since last winter and would ideally drop another 10 to get to what I consider my ideal weight, but I'm way closer than I used to be.

I have a physiology like yours -- I love breads and muffins and pastries and pastas and cookies. It takes a reeducation and sacrifice.

More on modern wheat here

thanks Pogo. You are a very nice person for this. Are you a guy or girl? (no need to answer, just curious). I'm a guy, 41 years old, 6 ft 1.

I'm a guy, about the same height as you, but considerably older. But weightwise I've hit the 180s.

 

[ninja007]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

Drop wheat. That will get you 40 all by itself. I speak from experience.
Of course that would require admitting that it IS in part the food supply...

how much did you lose and how much do you weigh now if you don't mind?

The first time I dropped wheat (I did it twice) I dropped 40 pounds. All I did was shift from sandwiches to salads, and ate as much as I wanted, even more than I was eating before -- and 40 went away. It's partly because wheat just isn't what it used to be.

This second time I had to take more off, so in addition to dropping wheat I stopped eating late at night, as you mentioned. You have to be able to burn it off. All told I've dropped some 65 pounds since last winter and would ideally drop another 10 to get to what I consider my ideal weight, but I'm way closer than I used to be.

I have a physiology like yours -- I love breads and muffins and pastries and pastas and cookies. It takes a reeducation and sacrifice.

More on modern wheat here

thanks Pogo. You are a very nice person for this. Are you a guy or girl? (no need to answer, just curious). I'm a guy, 41 years old, 6 ft 1.

I'm a guy, about the same height as you, but considerably older. But weightwise I've hit the 180s.

oh wow! good for you. Do you drink or smoke? I do not at all. Could you give me a basic day in the life of Pogo's meal plan? Do you eat 3 or 6 meals or somewhere in between? ( I book marked your link- thx). Kevin.

 

[ninja007]

I know when I was eating healthy for short periods here and there I felt good, clean, clear minded etc and felt more energetic and happy. I also got used to no junk foods and when I did eat a sweet or two, I felt sick.

 

[ninja007]

I also haven't went to the gym in years. I cannot walk outside too much in the winter months as it is very cold here.

 

[Pogo]

Drop wheat. That will get you 40 all by itself. I speak from experience.
Of course that would require admitting that it IS in part the food supply...

how much did you lose and how much do you weigh now if you don't mind?

The first time I dropped wheat (I did it twice) I dropped 40 pounds. All I did was shift from sandwiches to salads, and ate as much as I wanted, even more than I was eating before -- and 40 went away. It's partly because wheat just isn't what it used to be.

This second time I had to take more off, so in addition to dropping wheat I stopped eating late at night, as you mentioned. You have to be able to burn it off. All told I've dropped some 65 pounds since last winter and would ideally drop another 10 to get to what I consider my ideal weight, but I'm way closer than I used to be.

I have a physiology like yours -- I love breads and muffins and pastries and pastas and cookies. It takes a reeducation and sacrifice.

More on modern wheat here

thanks Pogo. You are a very nice person for this. Are you a guy or girl? (no need to answer, just curious). I'm a guy, 41 years old, 6 ft 1.

I'm a guy, about the same height as you, but considerably older. But weightwise I've hit the 180s.

oh wow! good for you. Do you drink or smoke? I do not at all. Could you give me a basic day in the life of Pogo's meal plan? Do you eat 3 or 6 meals or somewhere in between? ( I book marked your link- thx). Kevin.

I never drank, never liked it. I did smoke, lightly, but quit for good 32 years ago.

Generally I eat a whole lot of protein, don't worry much about fats and stay away from processed carbs. Unprocessed carbs, bring 'em on. I've grown fond of snacking on raw vegetables (carrot/celery/peppers/broccoli) dipped in hummus. I have eggs every day. I like cereal but probably like it too much so that's one I have to control.

Body physiology is very complex. It's never accurate to come up with a straight-out "those people just eat too much" one size fits all theory. There are infinte variables.

Protein's the thing though. I can whip up a pot of my infamous Mexican chili, with two cans of beans and a bunch of ground meat, wolf down the whole thing 'til I'm completely stuffed, and still lose weight. Because it's all protein. And that suits my physiology in the moment.

I can sneak a pastry, as long as it's like morning and I have a chance to burn it off. But you have a point about the seasons -- when it's cold there's less activity to burn that stuff off. Chopping wood for the stove is a good seasonal activity.

 

[ninja007]

nice- thx Pogo. I'll have to get a good list of healthy foods and get some at the store asap. I have gastritis and a hiatal hernia so gassy beans are a no-no atm. I'm on 2 40 mg of Nexium a day (for years)- I know; very bad... Gotta make sure I get a lot of magnesium and calcium, as Nexium is notorious for fractured bones. I just gotta lose weight. Surgery is an absolute last resort.

 

[Pogo]

nice- thx Pogo. I'll have to get a good list of healthy foods and get some at the store asap. I have gastritis and a hiatal hernia so gassy beans are a no-no atm. I'm on 2 40 mg of Nexium a day (for years)- I know; very bad... Gotta make sure I get a lot of magnesium and calcium, as Nexium is notorious for fractured bones. I just gotta lose weight. Surgery is an absolute last resort.

Yike.
I popped Nexium for a short time before I had a proper diagnosis (which was ulcers). Once that got fixed I had no more issues. Very complex the body is.

How complex you ask? One night while I was suffering the ulcers, before I knew what they were, they were really really bad, I was on the verge of driving myself to ER -- and I noticed a grapefruit on the counter. Something told me to eat it. Conventional wisdom would say that's a bad idea, right? All that acid?

I bit into the grapefruit and .... instant relief. So well did it work that I started carrying around a grapefruit at all times.

Yogurt oughta be good for calcium/magnesium, or dairy in general. I like rice pudding myself, which I mix with Nature's Path Hemp granola and fruit (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries work well). It's unspeakably delicious. Can you have nuts? That oughta be good too.

 

[ninja007]

nice- thx Pogo. I'll have to get a good list of healthy foods and get some at the store asap. I have gastritis and a hiatal hernia so gassy beans are a no-no atm. I'm on 2 40 mg of Nexium a day (for years)- I know; very bad... Gotta make sure I get a lot of magnesium and calcium, as Nexium is notorious for fractured bones. I just gotta lose weight. Surgery is an absolute last resort.

Yike.
I popped Nexium for a short time before I had a proper diagnosis (which was ulcers). Once that got fixed I had no more issues. Very complex the body is.

How complex you ask? One night while I was suffering the ulcers, before I knew what they were, they were really really bad, I was on the verge of driving myself to ER -- and I noticed a grapefruit on the counter. Something told me to eat it. Conventional wisdom would say that's a bad idea, right? All that acid?

I bit into the grapefruit and .... instant relief. So well did it work that I started carrying around a grapefruit at all times.

Yogurt oughta be good for calcium/magnesium, or dairy in general. I like rice pudding myself, which I mix with Nature's Path Hemp granola and fruit (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries work well). It's unspeakably delicious. Can you have nuts? That oughta be good too.

actually I'm not surprised. They say ACV (apple cider vinager is the best for stomach issues). The organic with the Mother one. I have had that ACV off and on for years, but it doesn't help much. I even might set up an appt. 4 hrs away to see a specialist who pulls the hernia back down. It's $150 a pop though (plus gas and time off of work). Yep, Kefir yogurt is my fav.

 

[Esmeralda]

atm I am overweight and I only blame MYSELF. I actually eat less than skinny people IMHO but I'm older now and do not exercise enough and eat a lot, late at night; as well as the wrong foods. I only blame myself. I wish more overweight people will accept resp. for their health. The only "good" thing is I am quite tall and just a big guy overall. I need to lose about 40 pounds though.

I just read recently that it doesn't actually matter when you eat. A study was done, and I don't have the URL, but it found that when you eat is irrelevant as far as putting on weight. So eating late at night is not a problem. Over eating is a problem. Not exercising is a problem. Eating high fat, sugary, fried, etc., foods, that's a problem.

 

[Esmeralda]

nice- thx Pogo. I'll have to get a good list of healthy foods and get some at the store asap. I have gastritis and a hiatal hernia so gassy beans are a no-no atm. I'm on 2 40 mg of Nexium a day (for years)- I know; very bad... Gotta make sure I get a lot of magnesium and calcium, as Nexium is notorious for fractured bones. I just gotta lose weight. Surgery is an absolute last resort.

Yike.
I popped Nexium for a short time before I had a proper diagnosis (which was ulcers). Once that got fixed I had no more issues. Very complex the body is.

How complex you ask? One night while I was suffering the ulcers, before I knew what they were, they were really really bad, I was on the verge of driving myself to ER -- and I noticed a grapefruit on the counter. Something told me to eat it. Conventional wisdom would say that's a bad idea, right? All that acid?

I bit into the grapefruit and .... instant relief. So well did it work that I started carrying around a grapefruit at all times.

Yogurt oughta be good for calcium/magnesium, or dairy in general. I like rice pudding myself, which I mix with Nature's Path Hemp granola and fruit (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries work well). It's unspeakably delicious. Can you have nuts? That oughta be good too.

I also read recently that pink grapefruit has a lot of good qualities. It's good to drink a half liter a day. I am drinking it daily, maybe two glasses, and it feels great. It doesn't hurt that I absolutely love it.