What in US food supply causes weight gain and inflammation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I looked through my food log and these are the big differences I can spot.

- More raw fruit in the US
- More grilled meats in the US.
- More red meat in Europe although I don’t eat a lot overall because I don’t like it very much.
- More meats and fish with sauces in Europe
- More bread in Europe
- More crackers in the US (I will have a snack of hummus, cheese, and crackers sometimes, never eat crackers in Europe)
- More rice in the US
- More tofu in the US
- More pasta in Europe
- More raw veggies in the US (carrots, celery, bell peppers, salad greens)
- More cooked veggies in Europe.
- More eggs in the US
- More plain yogurt (sometimes with muesli) in Europe
- Cheese is about the same in both (I love cheese)

I’m wondering about gluten intolerance and may try a gluten free diet here.

Doesn’t tofu have estrogen in it? Could that be causing a difference?

OP here. That’s a really interesting observation. Stir fry tofu, veggies, and rice are a staple of our weekly diet here. I eat tofu probably twice a week minimum in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I looked through my food log and these are the big differences I can spot.

- More raw fruit in the US
- More grilled meats in the US.
- More red meat in Europe although I don’t eat a lot overall because I don’t like it very much.
- More meats and fish with sauces in Europe
- More bread in Europe
- More crackers in the US (I will have a snack of hummus, cheese, and crackers sometimes, never eat crackers in Europe)
- More rice in the US
- More tofu in the US
- More pasta in Europe
- More raw veggies in the US (carrots, celery, bell peppers, salad greens)
- More cooked veggies in Europe.
- More eggs in the US
- More plain yogurt (sometimes with muesli) in Europe
- Cheese is about the same in both (I love cheese)

I’m wondering about gluten intolerance and may try a gluten free diet here.

Doesn’t tofu have estrogen in it? Could that be causing a difference?

OP here. That’s a really interesting observation. Stir fry tofu, veggies, and rice are a staple of our weekly diet here. I eat tofu probably twice a week minimum in the US.

Other counties with lower average weight than US eat more tofu without issue. Are you using heavy oils with your stir fry? Oil is a very calorically dense food. I know some people lose lbs quite easily by cutting out or cutting down on oil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I looked through my food log and these are the big differences I can spot.

- More raw fruit in the US
- More grilled meats in the US.
- More red meat in Europe although I don’t eat a lot overall because I don’t like it very much.
- More meats and fish with sauces in Europe
- More bread in Europe
- More crackers in the US (I will have a snack of hummus, cheese, and crackers sometimes, never eat crackers in Europe)
- More rice in the US
- More tofu in the US
- More pasta in Europe
- More raw veggies in the US (carrots, celery, bell peppers, salad greens)
- More cooked veggies in Europe.
- More eggs in the US
- More plain yogurt (sometimes with muesli) in Europe
- Cheese is about the same in both (I love cheese)

I’m wondering about gluten intolerance and may try a gluten free diet here.

Doesn’t tofu have estrogen in it? Could that be causing a difference?

OP here. That’s a really interesting observation. Stir fry tofu, veggies, and rice are a staple of our weekly diet here. I eat tofu probably twice a week minimum in the US.

Other counties with lower average weight than US eat more tofu without issue. Are you using heavy oils with your stir fry? Oil is a very calorically dense food. I know some people lose lbs quite easily by cutting out or cutting down on oil.

OP here.

I usually prepare it with peanut oil, sesame oil, or soy sauce. I sometimes make my own peanut sauce. I don’t think it’s a lot of oil; it is not super oily, just enough to do the stir fry without sticking.

[Anonymous]

I just randomly saw this on Twitter and thought of this thread:

Carnivore Aurelius ©🥩 ☀️🦙
@AlpacaAurelius
In Europe: eating whatever you want, not lifting weights, sleeping 6 hours, smoking cigs, drinking aperol spritzes and you feel healthy and alive.

In America: drinks water, breathes air, sleeps 10 hours and you’re tired, fat and sick all day.

WTF is going on

https://twitter.com/AlpacaAurelius/status/1546104224236306437?s=20&t=pcbtotYmhhk_UBFmqoNXoQ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just randomly saw this on Twitter and thought of this thread:

Carnivore Aurelius ©🥩 ☀️🦙
@AlpacaAurelius
In Europe: eating whatever you want, not lifting weights, sleeping 6 hours, smoking cigs, drinking aperol spritzes and you feel healthy and alive.

In America: drinks water, breathes air, sleeps 10 hours and you’re tired, fat and sick all day.

WTF is going on

https://twitter.com/AlpacaAurelius/status/1546104224236306437?s=20&t=pcbtotYmhhk_UBFmqoNXoQ

OP here. Honestly that’s what it kind of feels like to me haha. I even drink aperol spritzers in Europe which I never have in the US.

I used to live in Europe and sometimes I think for my health and quality of life I need to move back. I like being able to eat and drink good food and wine and not worry about weight gain.

[Anonymous]

Sugar. (Corn syrup in everything).

[Anonymous]

Have you considered the exercise difference? People walk and ride bikes more in Europe and drive less than in the US.

[Anonymous]

I lived on MREs for 2 months in the service and lost weight. You can’t get anymore processed and high calorie than that. It isn’t possible on vacation it Europe you are exactly the same. Sorry. There are way too many variables to decide why it is you lose weight on vacation. But it isn’t a GMO issue

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lived on MREs for 2 months in the service and lost weight. You can’t get anymore processed and high calorie than that. It isn’t possible on vacation it Europe you are exactly the same. Sorry. There are way too many variables to decide why it is you lose weight on vacation. But it isn’t a GMO issue

I agree with this. I lost a few lbs going to Italy even though I ate whatever I wanted and wasn’t spinning or lifting weights. On vacation, we were on our feet all day and walked everywhere from getting up until late at night. The food was smaller portions but extremely filling. I drank water and wine instead of diet soda and beer. There was no snacking during the day or eating left overs late at night. No mindlessly grabbing one of the many cookies or chips that we have around at home. We didn’t sit at our computers all day.

[Anonymous]

As one of the people who has lived longer term in the EU without losing weight, I sort of wonder if there’s something you’re eating here you’re sensitive to that’s causing bloat and thus causes immediate loss when you leave. I saw tofu mentioned, and sure, maybe? But I’d really consider an elimination diet or similar protocol to see if you can pin it down.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Central Europe for 2 years and gained weight. Must’ve been those beers!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with all the criticism of the processed garbage and use of Roundup --- I just find it really hard to believe that your gut flora and things like that would re-set after only a couple weeks in Europe.
I also doesn't seem to explain OP -- who says that she eats mostly organic stuff so Roundup and HFCS and similar additives would not seem to be a real issue.

The flour thing is interesting, but seems to me to be less likely to cause an issue for people that aren't gluten intolerant. Is there anyplace one can buy European style flour? I might try it as an experiment for a few months just to see.

I think that there are probably other factors as well. I was trying to see if higher gluten content also makes the flour more calorie dense, but it's hard to find that exact info. In general, though, I wouldn't be surprised if having a different balance of macro-nutrients in our crops vs. European crops makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with all the criticism of the processed garbage and use of Roundup --- I just find it really hard to believe that your gut flora and things like that would re-set after only a couple weeks in Europe.
I also doesn't seem to explain OP -- who says that she eats mostly organic stuff so Roundup and HFCS and similar additives would not seem to be a real issue.

The flour thing is interesting, but seems to me to be less likely to cause an issue for people that aren't gluten intolerant. Is there anyplace one can buy European style flour? I might try it as an experiment for a few months just to see.

I think that there are probably other factors as well. I was trying to see if higher gluten content also makes the flour more calorie dense, but it's hard to find that exact info. In general, though, I wouldn't be surprised if having a different balance of macro-nutrients in our crops vs. European crops makes a difference.

Higher gluten is higher protein, not sure that makes a lot of sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sugar. (Corn syrup in everything).

I agree with you. It’s even in our bread and salad dressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived on MREs for 2 months in the service and lost weight. You can’t get anymore processed and high calorie than that. It isn’t possible on vacation it Europe you are exactly the same. Sorry. There are way too many variables to decide why it is you lose weight on vacation. But it isn’t a GMO issue

I agree with this. I lost a few lbs going to Italy even though I ate whatever I wanted and wasn’t spinning or lifting weights. On vacation, we were on our feet all day and walked everywhere from getting up until late at night. The food was smaller portions but extremely filling. I drank water and wine instead of diet soda and beer. There was no snacking during the day or eating left overs late at night. No mindlessly grabbing one of the many cookies or chips that we have around at home. We didn’t sit at our computers all day.

Why is this junk food even in your home?? This is part of your problem -- no personal responsibility.

I get that some people have to be at a computer all day for work but why are you not at a standing one? That is part of your problem -- take personal responsibility.

When you are at home you should be moving -- cleaning, cooking, chopping, laundry, raking, light weighs, whatever. Limit yourself to 30-60 minutes of tv/computer time each day.

Can people not see why they are so fat and unhealthy?