My friend attended school to be a chef and worked as a pastry chef before changing to a career in finance. She is thin both due to genetics and a love of sports.

No.

Most people I know who cook well carry a bit of extra fat, but they're not completely out of shape, because they are aware they should exercise and eat balanced meals. So compare to most Americans, they're doing pretty well, if not better. I put myself and two of my friends in this category. I am on the lower end of BMI, but I'm very petite and fine-boned, and I have a noticeable belly. I should exercise more and eat a little less.

Then there is my friend how is morbidly obese and a WONDERFUL cook. He's recently seen the light, though, and has started a serious diet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's very hard to be a "foodie" or otherwise make food your hobby and also be thin. Some people do it, but people who have a weight problem probably need to drop the foodie identity if they want to lose.

Not at all hard. I am one of those foodies, I prefer gourmand and a skilled home cook.
I wait for food that I like. I cook what I want to eat. I research and go shopping at ethnic markets. I have never been more than 120lbs. I am 51 and 5'4". Until 47, I was 107lbs. I love to eat, love it.
Love to cook too.
I do calorie cycling and have no trouble with my weight.

Then you’re not a person who has a problem with their weight and the above doesn’t apply to you. People who do have a problem with their weight aren’t going to find the solution in even more intense interest in food.

LOL! The person that has problem with their weight? You mean the person that is a glutton?

Yes, I know a lot of them. I think it helps if you also have an active hobby or two, like running, swimming, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I think I’m a good cook and I’m not overweight. I even use butter and sugar and red meats sometimes, but all that is balanced out with lots of fruits and vegetables. I rarely eat processed foods so that helps.

No? Really?
Guess what? I even use lard, like for eggs in the morning and I am not overweight. And I even use sugar and red meat....a lot.

My BF is an amazing cook. She's also a long-distance runner and that keeps her slim.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's very hard to be a "foodie" or otherwise make food your hobby and also be thin. Some people do it, but people who have a weight problem probably need to drop the foodie identity if they want to lose.

Not at all hard. I am one of those foodies, I prefer gourmand and a skilled home cook.
I wait for food that I like. I cook what I want to eat. I research and go shopping at ethnic markets. I have never been more than 120lbs. I am 51 and 5'4". Until 47, I was 107lbs. I love to eat, love it.
Love to cook too.
I do calorie cycling and have no trouble with my weight.

Then you’re not a person who has a problem with their weight and the above doesn’t apply to you. People who do have a problem with their weight aren’t going to find the solution in even more intense interest in food.

Anonymous wrote:
Silly question I know. I've noticed my Italian and French friends who live in their respective countries are generally slim and in great shape and love to cook. It seems like in the US people who are into cooking tend to be less health conscious/a bit overweight? Am I nuts?

Who are these US people that know how to cook? I know many who are into it, but not many that know how to actually cook.

Anonymous wrote:It's very hard to be a "foodie" or otherwise make food your hobby and also be thin. Some people do it, but people who have a weight problem probably need to drop the foodie identity if they want to lose.

Not at all hard. I am one of those foodies, I prefer gourmand and a skilled home cook.
I wait for food that I like. I cook what I want to eat. I research and go shopping at ethnic markets. I have never been more than 120lbs. I am 51 and 5'4". Until 47, I was 107lbs. I love to eat, love it.
Love to cook too.
I do calorie cycling and have no trouble with my weight.

Yes, me.
I am not even being funny. I am an excellent cook. I learned to cook from my grandma that was born in 1910.

Yes!! And they exercise a TON. Lots of foodies in my family who are terrific cooks and indulge on cheese, pasta, desert. But they watch portions and seriously work out for 2 hours a day. Constantly moving. No lazy bones!

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, no, I don’t. And I say this as an excellent cook who could stand to lose some weight. I’m not obese, but I wouldn’t call myself thin either.

I laughed at the post about “even using butter and red meats” too, other PP. I feel you!

I might be fat and sort of shy, but my dinner parties are always well attended and I don’t lack for friends! You can, in fact, cook your way into people’s hearts.

I do exercise at least an hour a day, 7 days a week, so I wouldn’t say I am that unhealthy.

I'm chubby from upthread. We could be friends!

Honestly, no, I don’t. And I say this as an excellent cook who could stand to lose some weight. I’m not obese, but I wouldn’t call myself thin either.

I laughed at the post about “even using butter and red meats” too, other PP. I feel you!

I might be fat and sort of shy, but my dinner parties are always well attended and I don’t lack for friends! You can, in fact, cook your way into people’s hearts.

I do exercise at least an hour a day, 7 days a week, so I wouldn’t say I am that unhealthy.

Anonymous wrote:It's very hard to be a "foodie" or otherwise make food your hobby and also be thin. Some people do it, but people who have a weight problem probably need to drop the foodie identity if they want to lose.

I was friends with a food critic for over a decade, and at one point I asked him how he didn't get fat eating out up to ten times a week. He said he only needed to taste everything, and didn't need to eat a full plate of foods to critique them. He also worked out six days a week.

Yes. Me.