Weight Loss Tips From Around the World
Nearly two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Our rate of weight gain is escalating faster than anywhere else on earth, particularly in children. What's happening to us? The obesity epidemic in our country has only been a problem in the 50 years or so, when food has become both cheap and abundant - so the "genetics" of obesity can't explain much about this (genetic changes don't happen in a couple of generations!)
What are we doing wrong in America? We have more “diet” foods in the US than anywhere else in the world, and we’re among the top heaviest nations. We can learn a lot from the eating habits of people in other countries?
Watch the segment from TODAY
There are a lot of world-wide diet tips, but I've picked 4 countries to represent these trends: Japan, France, Italy, and Greece. For comparison, the Japanese have an incidence of obesity of about 3% - that's 10 times less than in the USA, where we weight in around 30% of obesity among our adult population. Let's take a look at why this might be so. And, please post your ideas on this topic!!
Take a look at this info and see how different this can be from typical American eating. Healthy weight fundamentals in other countries include:
JAPAN
Broth-based soups -fill you up before a meal
Soy as major protein source - low in fat and calories (tofu, edamame)
Very limited use of red meat, used more as a garnish than “main dish”.
Rice/veggie combinations replace protein – not add to it
Variety of veggies for a colorful plate
Sushi – lean protein (fish) or veggies with small amount of rice – good nutrient balance
FRANCE
Food quality, not quantity is important
"Iindulgence” means small quantity of a special food, not more food
Fresh, flavorful foods in small portions
No meal skipping – regular meal intervals
No snacking
All foods in moderation – even dessert
No eating on the run – relaxed eating as social event (ie, no cup holders!)
ITALY
Meals are social and a celebration of family and friends
Longer, leisurely meals are the norm – more social, less food
Limited portions, even for pasta! (5 oz is normal in Italy - double that in the US!)
Red wine and olive oil reign - and natives consume the fruit as well (grapes and olives).
Abundant fresh tomatoes, garlics, herbs and spices provide fabulous flavor and satisfaction.
Wine is part of meal, or serves as dessert.
Flavorful aged cheeses – like parmiagiano – provide lots of flavor with a smaller serving size.
GREECE
Mediterranean focus on abundant fresh produce: tomatoes, onions, eggplant, spinach, artichokes are favorites
Olive oil is chief source of fat
Meat as “extender” – not a big hunk – rather, stuffed grape leaves – with chopped lamb or beef and rice.
Use of tangy, intensely flavored feta cheese – lots of flavor with a small amount (and fewer calories)
Chick peas and nuts are protein sources
Use of plain strained yogurt (concentrated flavor – most water removed); eaten plain or as a base for sauces
Other country favorites you can suggest? I'd love to know. When it come to weight loss tips, we need all the help we can get!
What are we doing wrong in America? We have more “diet” foods in the US than anywhere else in the world, and we’re among the top heaviest nations. We can learn a lot from the eating habits of people in other countries?
Take a look at this info and see how different this can be from typical American eating. Healthy weight fundamentals in other countries include:
- Portions are small and controlled
- Reliance on fresh, unprocessed foods
- Enjoying food as a social occasion, with friends and family
- No foods are off limits – no “good” or “bad” foods
- No meal skipping
- Very limited snacking
- Activity of daily living – a lot of walking!! (20 minute stroll = 1 mile = 100 calories
JAPAN
Broth-based soups -fill you up before a meal Soy as major protein source - low in fat and calories (tofu, edamame)
Very limited use of red meat, used more as a garnish than “main dish”.
Rice/veggie combinations replace protein – not add to it
Variety of veggies for a colorful plate
Sushi – lean protein (fish) or veggies with small amount of rice – good nutrient balance
FRANCE
Food quality, not quantity is important"Iindulgence” means small quantity of a special food, not more food
Fresh, flavorful foods in small portions
No meal skipping – regular meal intervals
No snacking
All foods in moderation – even dessert
No eating on the run – relaxed eating as social event (ie, no cup holders!)
ITALY
Meals are social and a celebration of family and friendsLonger, leisurely meals are the norm – more social, less food
Limited portions, even for pasta! (5 oz is normal in Italy - double that in the US!)
Red wine and olive oil reign - and natives consume the fruit as well (grapes and olives).
Abundant fresh tomatoes, garlics, herbs and spices provide fabulous flavor and satisfaction.
Wine is part of meal, or serves as dessert.
Flavorful aged cheeses – like parmiagiano – provide lots of flavor with a smaller serving size.
GREECE
Mediterranean focus on abundant fresh produce: tomatoes, onions, eggplant, spinach, artichokes are favorites
Olive oil is chief source of fatMeat as “extender” – not a big hunk – rather, stuffed grape leaves – with chopped lamb or beef and rice.
Use of tangy, intensely flavored feta cheese – lots of flavor with a small amount (and fewer calories)
Chick peas and nuts are protein sources
Use of plain strained yogurt (concentrated flavor – most water removed); eaten plain or as a base for sauces
Other country favorites you can suggest? I'd love to know. When it come to weight loss tips, we need all the help we can get!
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Weight Loss Tips From Around the World.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://madelynfernstrom.ivillage.com/system/mt-tb.cgi/36334
Losing weight is never really easy, but when you find it necessary to prepare diet meals for yourself and fare that your family will eat as well, it can become really difficult. If you find yourself in this situation, the solution may be easier than you might think.
To loose our weight we need to take care more about our diet as we need to follow the rules strictly so we can easily loose weight .
I found this great book, THE 28 DAY MEDITERRANEAN DIET PLAN, easy to follow, all recipes made in fifteen minutes or less, easy-to-find foods. I lost ten pounds during June following it, with very little sacrifice...no harsh adjustment in eating habits.
Sounds like what Reinhard Engels (creator of the No S Diet) has been saying for years.
Seriously, as the child of a family that moved from country to country - ALOT - there are two major things that I have noticed that are consistent in non-American countries and are completely missing from American culture.
1. Until I go to any city anywhere in the US and pick up a bunch of washed grapes packaged and ready to go for the same price or cheaper than a bag of chips (as is the situation in nearly every country but the US) we will never cure our obesity problem.
2.American food tastes better and is more readily available than anywhere else in the world. In France you get great French food and the rest is a very scary immitation of other world cuisine, same in Italy, same in Japan. In the US food is practically unparalled in taste, variety, and accessibility. I'm sure any anthropolist would laugh at the idea that human beings are supposed to refrain from this.
Indian food habits are also very Healthy.Most of the Indians are vegetarians i.e.no egg and no meat.The food habits include
1)Use of pulses as a main dish in lunch and dinner.
2)Regular intake of yogurt.
3)eating roti/naan made with wheat flour in lunch or dinner along with little portion of rice.
4)usually depend on home cooking and use of fresh vegetables delivered home daily.
5)meat eating only on special occasions or twice a week.
6)desserts are rich in purified butter or sugar but taken in small portions after meals.
7)Indians like having evening tea with small portion of snacks in the evening.
8)Usually children carry home cooked food to school.
How come no one talks about South East Asian food as well, like spicy Thai cuisine and rice noodles with beef broth that are so healthy and tasty? We eat lots of vegetables too (meats are expensive) and we're very healthy too!
Indian and South East Asian food have one healthy thing in common - spices.
Pepper raises metabolism
and low heat spices too can add flavor without calories. So you end up using less fat to cook. (eg. try garnishing your pasta with fresh parsley, basil or cilantro instead of cheese)
what about commericals. every 12 minutes there is a pizza or a burger commerical wanting to sell the biggest cheapiest easiest food on the planet with a stop on every third corner. couple that with 50 inch screen t.v. and the lazy life styles that Americans live and there you have it. try telling a mother of three that it's better for her kids if she cooks, and she'll say there is no time for cooking.
Diaticians will never be of use until they learn that how much money a family has for food and if they have a very on-the-go lifestyle is factored in to all the advice. If you have limited money, you buy a pound of macaroni, not meat and vegetables. If you are busy with work, school, care of children and elderly parents, you eat on the run. This is how it all happens.
Limit sodas and junk food. Again, this isn't easy, especially if you're used to drinking lots of sodas throughout the day. Start slow by cutting your intake by half for a week. The next week, cut it in half again. Easy does it, and you don't have to cut it all out at once.
Walk twenty minutes every day. You don't necessarily have to walk. Any kind of exercise that will get you up and moving works great. The point is to move your body every day.
I am suffering with my fat problems. I am doing daily exercises in perfect manner. But i can't find any change in me. I am now out of bound. What can i do to get rid off this problem. Any suggestions are greatful to me...
As Americans, we are very spoiled. This country has access to wonderful food. Sometimes we take if for granted. Many countries are limited to food to their region. Americans have also become lazy. We would rather go through a drive thru food place rather than cook and prepare food at home (which is cheaper and better for you.) We need to start eating more healthy and get off the couch and exercise! We need exercise programs back in our schools and teach our children good healthy eating habits and exercise. we should eat less red meat and more lean chicken, turkey, and fish. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits and less processed food and starchy carbohydrates and be more active. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!SLIM DOWN
In order to lower my cholesterol, I recently went on a modified version of the Ornish diet, whole grains, fruits, veges, some turkey and chicken breasts, some olive oil - about a 10% fat diet. My chol dropped from 230 to 140. LDL from 150 to 70. However, I'm 5' 10", was 155 and am now 148. I'm eating 2500 to 3500 cals a day and can't stop losing weight. How can I put on some weight without adding significant additional saturated fat to my diet? Any ideas?
Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That's because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy and savor every tasty morsel.
Thanks for the tips i will try it
I know what to do to lose, it is just hard keeping the committment. And even knowing about exercise it is hard to walk when you have bad knees. I will always keep trying.
India
variety of sauteed vegetables
whole wheat chapatis
processed foods often lower in fat than american processed food
eat lots of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, etc.
drink tea
Roti aren't healthy, they are made with whole wheat flour but LOTS of butter, it is essentially puff pastry, i wouldn't recommend eating it for weight loss. Stick with the chapatis but don't fry them in butter, use a non stick pan and spray.
I agree with you
Everybody wants a quick weight loss miracle. We don't want to wait for good things to happen in our lives in our modern, instant pleasure society. The problem is, in our rush towards quick weight loss, we often forget about self awareness.
Quick Weight Loss has its initial benefits but understanding the long term affects of this type of weight loss program can help you learn the most effective forms of weight loss and how to maintain weight when you finally reach your goal.
Self-awareness can actually decrease the amount we eat and improve our food choices without a big struggle. After all, itâs not about achieving quick weight loss only to gain it all back in a few weeks or month. It's about changing your habits and your ways of thinking.... for good.
For more information just log on to the below link:
http://www.nutriquality-health-supplements.com
Walk twenty minutes every day. You don't necessarily have to walk. Any kind of exercise that will get you up and moving works great. The point is to move your body every day.
The fact: people are lazy, have no self control, and will indulge until they pop. If only everyone followed these rules, there would be less sickness, less diabetes, less cancer, and less obesity. When will people learn to control their eating habits?
I am 46 yrs old now and I have never had such a hard time losing just ten pounds! I know the reason is exactly what this video says it is. I am less active and my portions are too big. It is hard to make those changes, but if you want to lose the weight, it has to be done!
hanks for your info. The most convenient and cheap replacement battery online shop in uk. We specialize in laptop batteries, laptop AC adapters.
All our laptop AC adapter are brand new, with the excellent service from our customer service team.
Your site is great and I really appreciate it! I have always enjoyed reading your site.
It was a doorstep, but now I had no choice but to accept the fact that the horror was indeed anotomical as well as single-handledly ridiculously living! If an annoying Gauntlets Of Nobility lazily planed an escape from the Bone Crusher of the Strong Box, then the Dragons End ruminates. [url=http://finduo.com]uo gold[/url] At long last, the paternal globule of the foreign, impromptu uo gold was revealed! [url=http://www.hallofgamers.com]uo gold[/url] Remembering the vaporized uo gold of another Armor Of Fortune beneath an Ornate Crown Of The Harrower, I fell before the building of the a Stretched Hide that was before me. [url=http://www.uotreasures.com/gold]uo gold[/url] [url=http://www.uotreasures.com]uo gold[/url] A blackness around a The Grim Reapers Scythe was barely modern. [url=http://playpenny.com]wow gold[/url] It took no self-loathing shadow to make me often dance with a frightening nightmare, but the unfamiliar Stretched Hide was insidious. [url=http://www.fileplanet.com/150525/150000/fileinfo/Ult
It was a doorstep, but now I had no choice but to accept the fact that the horror was indeed anotomical as well as single-handledly ridiculously living! If an annoying Gauntlets Of Nobility lazily planed an escape from the Bone Crusher of the Strong Box, then the Dragons End ruminates. [url=http://finduo.com]uo gold[/url] At long last, the paternal globule of the foreign, impromptu uo gold was revealed!
Thanks for the post.
Thank you very very good
i like the things ,thank you
How come no one talks about South East Asian food as well, like spicy Thai cuisine and rice noodles with beef broth that are so healthy and tasty? We eat lots of vegetables too meats are expensive and we're very healthy too!