American food and me- European gurl - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

Brittany · 03-18-2003, 03:25 PM

I moved to USA a year ago. I'm 5,5 tall and have 129 lbs now. I used to have 110 before I moved. I gained a lot during this year. I just want to say that American food has a lot of calories and mostly isn't healthy at all. Most of stuff is canned and I don't like that. I miss fresh and healthy European food, those vegetables and fruits straight from the garden... I just want to know what you think bout American food?

hello123 · 03-18-2003, 05:43 PM

yes but...
its whether or not you choose to eat them
u can just buy groceries instead of eating out at mcdonalds or sth, there are many substitutes..although all the american food is very alluring

auntjudyg · 03-19-2003, 07:21 AM

hello123, I'm guessing you have never been to Europe. It's not a matter of McDonalds versus other food.

Produce is much closer to being ripe when it is picked and shipped to market in Europe - not like here where just about everything, even in the summer, is picked way before it is mature to survive shipping. I could never understand why people liked plums until I was in France and tasted them there - because I had never had a truly ripe plum before. And let's not even start with tomatoes. Even summer tomatoes leave something to be desired these days.

And the variety of good, non-fat-laden-to-have-longer-shelf-life food that is available quickly and conveniently from European shops (goodness, even cafeteria-type establishments) had absolutely no comparison here.

hello123 · 03-19-2003, 03:13 PM

yep, ive never been to europe before,
but what u say about the fresh fruits in europe makes my mouth water

***

i do agree,when ppl move to US its very easy to gain weight...a lot of friends that i know who moved here had their 'weight gain' very soon, myself included!

rhody · 03-19-2003, 06:54 PM

I avoid "typical" American foods - which are designed and processed to taste good - but are filled with things like salt, fat, chemicals and sugars. To eat more healthy like other people, as in some parts of Europe and elsewhere, shop in the U.S. on the outside edges of a food supermarket. Generally speaking, you will find the fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, meats, milk and eggs etc.

All of these foods (generally non-processed) on the outside edges are the natural foods that I consume on a regular basis. It's also much less expensive than the canned, bottled, and packaged foods. A person could learn how to eat this way, and save a good deal of money, and be healthier too!