Are we all 'skinny challenged' compared to the world?

[anniemae]

I read an article once on why people in France are more slim than Americans even though they consume a lot of bread, cheese, wine etc. The main reasons were portion control (they ate small amounts compared to American portions), and the fact that they walk a lot more than Americans who depend on cars more, according to the article.

It also mentioned that the French eat more fiber in their diet and their food has less chemicals and pesticides than American food. The food in France is more organic and less hormones are added. It also said the French eat slower and meals can last a long time and it's more fresh food whereas Americans rely on a lot of pre-packaged "on the go" type foods a lot.

Not sure if it's true, but it was an interesting article.

 

[nw6675]

So I guess I'm a terrible parent because my then 8 year old child told me she would literally die if she had to eat a grape. I did not force her and she ate an apple instead.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I read an article once on why people in France are more slim than Americans even though they consume a lot of bread, cheese, wine etc. The main reasons were portion control (they ate small amounts compared to American portions), and the fact that they walk a lot more than Americans who depend on cars more, according to the article.

It also mentioned that the French eat more fiber in their diet and their food has less chemicals and pesticides than American food. The food in France is more organic and less hormones are added. It also said the French eat slower and meals can last a long time and it's more fresh food whereas Americans rely on a lot of pre-packaged "on the go" type foods a lot.

Not sure if it's true, but it was an interesting article.

Ive been to France many times, Paris, Toulous in South West and Nice in the South as well as multiple visits to Disneyland Paris.

What you have written is very much what I have experienced on my travels, staying in French hotels, and going to restaurants and supermarkets. Ive also been to 10 other European countries and its all very similar to what you describe.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Kids eat what they’re exposed to, plain and simple. Not that they’ll eat and love every single item the first time it’s offered, but it’s how their general preferences are formed. If they’re fed a diet heavy in fats, sugar, vegetables, meats, bland foods, spices, etc., that’s what they’re going to like. Kids (or anyone really) are picky when they have the luxury of choice. Imagine a kid in some rural African village saying “meh, I don’t like goat meat” and choosing to starve because no one will bring them chicken nuggets. Unlikely to happen.

Last week I heard this story from a mother who volunteered in my son’s classroom. They were doing a science lesson involving lima beans. The teacher asked the class, “Does anybody like lima beans?” All the kids started with “Ewww, yuck!” and my son raised his hand and said “I love lima beans.” Lol. I replied that being vegan, my kids didn’t have the choice to not eat their vegetables, or they wouldn’t have anything to eat at all!

I once read that we need up to thirty exposures to a new food before we develop a taste for it, so that’s what I tell my kids. You don’t have to like it, you don’t have to finish it, you just have to try one bite of it tonight… and the next 29 times we serve it.

I have a personal, unfounded, based-on-nothing theory that formula and store-bought baby foods are working against us when it comes to getting kids to develop a varied palate. Nursing babies get flavors in the breastmilk from foods the mother eats, so they’re being exposed to different tastes with each meal, from birth. Formula-fed babies are getting the same taste over and over for however long they’re on formula. Babies who transition to eating solids off their parents’ plates are being exposed to a wider variety of flavors than babies who are transitioned to premade baby foods, which generally seem to be limited to a dozen or so flavors. I think the limited flavor exposure probably contributes to pickiness in the toddler years, whereas a child who has had exposure to a greater range of flavors as a baby will probably be more willing to accept those foods as they get older.

(To head off possible controversy: Yes, formula is a healthy, wonderful, and sometimes necessary choice for babies. I’m not criticizing that choice, my own children have been fed formula. And yes, I know there are certain behavioral and medical issues that contribute to food pickiness in children; that’s not the kind of pickiness I’m referring to in my post.)

I missed this earlier. And to clarify, I didn’t laugh at your content; I laughed at your heading off a possible controversy, lol. I knew once this got into specifics of kids diets (and even breast feeding), it was going straight downhill.

FWIW My twins were 100% bottle fed and learned to love a variety of foods. I do find it an interesting theory, though - there absolutely could be something to it. I almost mentioned our “two bite” rule earlier, but deleted it, same reason. But yes, by the end of two bites, they often ate the rest without a problem, even if they didn’t “love” something. We used to say, “Do we look like people who eat food that doesn’t taste good?”, and they’d laugh. Today they eat a good variety, but, like everyone, they have their likes and dislikes. DD will actually gag if she smells seafood. Kind of weird, living next to the ocean. I won’t tell her I just bought a pound and a half of haddock today, but we’ll cook it outside so she doesn’t have to smell it for the next three days.

 

[gmi3804]

So I guess I'm a terrible parent because my then 8 year old child told me she would literally die if she had to eat a grape. I did not force her and she ate an apple instead.

I guess we’ll never know what would’ve happened if she did.

 

[nw6675]

I guess we’ll never know what would’ve happened if she did.

Gmi, we will never ever know.

ETA: guess we don't have to worry about wine.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So I guess I'm a terrible parent because my then 8 year old child told me she would literally die if she had to eat a grape. I did not force her and she ate an apple instead.

Sorry, this was the first thing that came to mind when I read that. (It’s what my husband says to me in his best English accent when I get too pushy, lol.)

 

[mousefan73]

Has nothing to do with the weight topic bit MANY in my expat group come to europe with food allergies/ intolerances ( eggs for example) and discover that here they are fine. There is so much stuff put in feed and our food.

Also interesting I never knew in the US chicken is bleached washed ( yuck) but also banned in the EU/UK. I do notice a difference in texture/ color when I buy here vs back at home (US).

I think it’s also a little things for example, giving kids juice. Here in Germany apple juice is rarely drank pure it’s usually drank as a spritzer so half water half juice. that was probably one of my personal changes I made in Europe. I’ve adapted and personally now fine drinking pure fruit juice too much sweetness and gives me a headache orange juice on it’s own ( unless freshly squeeze with pulp) gives me a headache, unless I dilute it with water. Same thing with milk. I think the US is the only culture where people actually drink milk with a meal. Sure milk is healthier than soda and correct me if I’m wrong has less calories per serving but still makes you wonder why? Other cultures argue not necessary. People drink milk here but I have never seen it as part of a meal.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Has nothing to do with the weight topic bit MANY in my expat group come to europe with food allergies/ intolerances ( eggs for example) and discover that here they are fine. There is so much stuff put in feed and our food.

Also interesting I never knew in the US chicken is bleached washed ( yuck) but also banned in the EU/UK. I do notice a difference in texture/ color when I buy here vs back at home (US).

I think it’s also a little things for example, giving kids juice. Here in Germany apple juice is rarely drank pure it’s usually drank as a spritzer so half water half juice. that was probably one of my personal changes I made in Europe. I’ve adapted and personally now fine drinking pure fruit juice too much sweetness and gives me a headache orange juice on it’s own ( unless freshly squeeze with pulp) gives me a headache, unless I dilute it with water. Same thing with milk. I think the US is the only culture where people actually drink milk with a meal. Sure milk is healthier than soda and correct me if I’m wrong has less calories per serving but still makes you wonder why? Other cultures argue not necessary. People drink milk here but I have never seen it as part of a meal.

You need to stop this sensible, realistic and calm explanation and comparison with American foods, which is mirroring what I have been posting.

I watch a few American YouTube reaction channels. The videos that are the most popular are the once where they review and compare all types of European and American foods. I think its great that the younger generation of Americans, those 30 and under can educate themselves using the internet and YouTube about how bad American food really is.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some of you might know I’m an Expat living in Germany. And yes, I can confirm that Americans are significantly heavier compared to Europeans and other cultures. This isn’t simply my opinion, but supported by many studies and statistics.

I don’t wanna get into the reasons why but I’ll give two very good examples, one that I just experience today. in a nutshell, American eating culture has nothing to do with nutrition or quality, but based on taste and volume.

1. Portion size in the US is simply insane. it’s not normal. I recently experiences myself when I ate at the cheesecake factory in Hawaii. Granted this place is known for the huge portions , but I literally could’ve shared my meal with three other people. my mom ordered a simple sandwich thing with soup and salad. It wasn’t one sandwich cut into two triangles which would be a normal serving but I think they made seriously like three sandwiches and it was like a platter. And then why do a bread basket before that is so unnecessary no other culture has a basket of carbs put on the table with butter before the meal starts

A collegue just recently got back from a business trip in the states and he said that he just can’t handle eating out anymore there because the portion sizes are just too overwhelming and actually kind of ruins his eating experience

2. I just got back from a weekend trip that involves staying in a Holiday Inn in Germany breakfast was included. Couple months ago, I stayed at a Holiday Inn in the states were breakfast is also included the food offerings between the two buffets cannot have been more different. When I think about it, the US offerings was not even a nutritional value just calorie to compare in the US this is what was at the buffet
1. Whole fruit but it was basically either an apple or orange or banana
2. Yogurt cups.
That’s healthy the rest was:
1. Scrambled eggs that probably came from a container.
2. Breakfast sausage
3. A pancake machine.
4. Cinnamon rolls,, bagels, English muffins, waffles
5. Oatmeal with the packaged ones with sugar.
That’s it.

In Germany today, I don’t even know where to start
Sliced cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, cheese, platter with real high end cheese, lean cold, cuts with real meat, guacamole, real eggs, breakfast, potatoes, fruit salad, that was real fruit not from a can, real fruit and whole pieces, olives, salads, fresh rolls with whole-grain, toast, a little sweet area for cookies, and cakes, not healthy, but just a treat, Like five different types of yogurt that included sugar-free natural yogurt, yogurt toppings, that included Dr., fruit variety of nuts and a fruit. A bunch of other stuff I’m missing.

My ramble above is basically in a nutshell the Holiday Inn in the US is a carb calorie breakfast experience with limited nutritional value versus nutritional value here

Sounds good.

Just going to mention that when we eat out, we almost always bring half of our meals home to bring to work or heat up as a meal the next day.

Also, some people get around it by sharing one meal and/or ordering something like an app to share. We often see people here saying they like to order kids’ meals at Disney if they can.

I feel lIke, in the past, it used to be super expensive to eat out. But with grocery prices being so high today, I don’t feel that way as much as I used to, especially if we’re getting two or three meals out of it. We can order two chicken parm dinners from a local place and it generally feeds four of us, with some put away for later. Of course, we either make or buy a salad to go with it too, so it’s filling. That said, I have no doubt that there are plenty of people who eat the whole thing, and it is often really too much food, so agreeing with you on that, for sure.

I feel like one of the ways we got into restaurants having meals that were too big, was because they somehow had to justify the prices they were charging, so the portions got bigger. Initially. Now we’re getting somewhat smaller portions (thinking of Disney and some experiences we’ve had) with even higher prices. So they throw a big plate of food at you in order for customers to feel they’re getting their moneys worth. (American thinking, maybe.)

We stayed at a Residence Inn recently and got the free breakfast. The powdered eggs I couldn’t eat, but I had the hard boiled. I had oatmeal (not packaged) with a little brown sugar and raisins, yogurt (all they had was Yoplait), bananas, English muffins, and I tried the sausage - all on different days. It wasn’t bad. I’d also gone to the store to stock our fridge with some healthy snacks and drinks (and brought some from home, too) so we didn’t have to eat a lot of junk. I see more and more people doing this.

I really think it’s all about knowing what you’re supposed to eat, and how much. In general, we definitely eat too much! Look at the size of a muffin today compared to a muffin when we were growing up - it’s probably double in size. A serving size of a bagel is half, but no one eats half, they eat the whole one, often absolutely stuffed with cream cheese! A serving of meat should be about the size of a fist. And rice, 1/3 to 1/2 a cup. Again, relatively few eat that way anymore.

 

[Karin1984]

It also said the French eat slower and meals can last a long time and it's more fresh food whereas Americans rely on a lot of pre-packaged "on the go" type foods a lot.

This probably makes my top 5 with advice to Americans going to Disneyland Paris. Table service takes longer in France than in the US. Even more so when you are not in a themepark. (Some quick service locations can be slow in DLP, but that's a different problem ;-) )

In France dinner is more an experience. The waiter is not going to be by your table constantly as it is considered rude to interrupt the conversation. It's not the aim of the restaurant to process as many people as possible in an evening.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

No one’s trying to argue that every “picky eater” is the victim of bad food education. But when generations of kids are fed a diet that consists primarily of fried chicken nuggets, pizza, and mac & cheese, we’re bound to have an epidemic of real food-deprived adults. I don’t need to be lectured about those who have legitimate food issues.

No. Don’t be passive aggressive in your comments and paint with a broad brush like you did.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

So I guess I'm a terrible parent because my then 8 year old child told me she would literally die if she had to eat a grape. I did not force her and she ate an apple instead.

If that is what you took from my response then that is really sad.

Ok

Actually that exactly what you said - " I opine that it’s all about what kids are exposed to, and parents’ commitment to teaching.". No it isn't. And no, not all kids will "just eat when they are hungry". You started the lecturing. And your comments show that clearly you do need some additional information.

Exactly. It’s always better to just be gracious in acknowledging your misstep when you’ve been called out by somebody that has had to deal with stereotyping nonsense for decades. But……. Oh well. Carry on with the parent shaming.

 

[nw6675]

If that is what you took from my response then that is really sad.

Exactly. It’s always better to just be gracious in acknowledging your misstep when you’ve been called out by somebody that has had to deal with stereotyping nonsense for decades. But……. Oh well. Carry on with the parent shaming.

Um no. It was a joke.

You obviously don't know me on the DIS.

I don't even know what you posted. Lol

 

[grapefruitjellybean]

I don’t know who to reply to but a kid not wanting to try salad and a kid who is screaming and not eating anything are not the same thing. I would be all over my ped getting referrals for specialists and eating/food therapists. My personal experience with my kids was not meant to trigger anyone.
If I’m making something new or different, chicken adobo for example, I will pair it with roasted veggies and serve rice on the side so there's at least something on the plate that they will eat. 9/10 times they will try it and enjoy it, but if they don’t want to eat something or if they try something and they don’t like it then they don’t have to eat it. We went to lunch with friends and I asked my kids if they wanted the salad. My daughter doesn’t like any types of leaves except romaine so she declined but was happy when I suggested the beets and goat cheese. I always ask the server to bring the salad before anything else and I like to finish it before the other courses arrive; if possible of course.
This is what works for me and my family.

 

[Moliphino]

Some of you might know I’m an Expat living in Germany. And yes, I can confirm that Americans are significantly heavier compared to Europeans and other cultures. This isn’t simply my opinion, but supported by many studies and statistics.

I don’t wanna get into the reasons why but I’ll give two very good examples, one that I just experience today. in a nutshell, American eating culture has nothing to do with nutrition or quality, but based on taste and volume.

1. Portion size in the US is simply insane. it’s not normal. I recently experiences myself when I ate at the cheesecake factory in Hawaii. Granted this place is known for the huge portions , but I literally could’ve shared my meal with three other people. my mom ordered a simple sandwich thing with soup and salad. It wasn’t one sandwich cut into two triangles which would be a normal serving but I think they made seriously like three sandwiches and it was like a platter. And then why do a bread basket before that is so unnecessary no other culture has a basket of carbs put on the table with butter before the meal starts

A collegue just recently got back from a business trip in the states and he said that he just can’t handle eating out anymore there because the portion sizes are just too overwhelming and actually kind of ruins his eating experience

2. I just got back from a weekend trip that involves staying in a Holiday Inn in Germany breakfast was included. Couple months ago, I stayed at a Holiday Inn in the states were breakfast is also included the food offerings between the two buffets cannot have been more different. When I think about it, the US offerings was not even a nutritional value just calorie to compare in the US this is what was at the buffet
1. Whole fruit but it was basically either an apple or orange or banana
2. Yogurt cups.
That’s healthy the rest was:
1. Scrambled eggs that probably came from a container.
2. Breakfast sausage
3. A pancake machine.
4. Cinnamon rolls,, bagels, English muffins, waffles
5. Oatmeal with the packaged ones with sugar.
That’s it.

In Germany today, I don’t even know where to start
Sliced cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, cheese, platter with real high end cheese, lean cold, cuts with real meat, guacamole, real eggs, breakfast, potatoes, fruit salad, that was real fruit not from a can, real fruit and whole pieces, olives, salads, fresh rolls with whole-grain, toast, a little sweet area for cookies, and cakes, not healthy, but just a treat, Like five different types of yogurt that included sugar-free natural yogurt, yogurt toppings, that included Dr., fruit variety of nuts and a fruit. A bunch of other stuff I’m missing.

My ramble above is basically in a nutshell the Holiday Inn in the US is a carb calorie breakfast experience with limited nutritional value versus nutritional value here

I've definitely been given bread before a meal in multiple countries in Europe.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I've definitely been given bread before a meal in multiple countries in Europe.

I was served bread before meals in the Czech Republic but it wasn't free so I never saw people at othet tables eating it. I only knew it wasn't free because I went out with a group (all Americans) and they ate all of the bread and then they saw the charge for it on the bill.

 

[Marrila]

I've definitely been given bread before a meal in multiple countries in Europe.

Same here. And in Germany some places serve it with schmalz. (Rendered fat.)

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Um no. It was a joke.

You obviously don't know me on the DIS.

I don't even know what you posted. Lol

Then I apologize

 

[nw6675]

Then I apologize

We are all family here