why do people in britain eat likely the same amount of food as we in america but are not over weight like us?

Question

is it the volume or wrong diet that we eat here in america that makes us super sizes or our body mechanisms that does not process the food properly . we get sick of seeing our sizes , what is wrong and what can we do to look like other people in the world?

Answer 1

I once saw a programme about a hugely overweight American and he never cooked. All he did was go around the diners with all their offers, eg., eat X amount and get X amount free, or building up loyalty points for free meals another time, and so on. It was cheaper for him to eat every meal out.Is that not a lot of the thinking with eating out in America? Plus, isn't eating out more a part of the culture? I have never been to America but those that I know have been say the portions are huge compared to here, and we think we get good portions!

But then - you have super slim people so it must be possible!

At the end of the day everyone is alike - it's down to attitude, healthy eating and moderation, will power and exercise.

Answer 2

My girlfriend told me that she is a UK size 8 which in america is a US size 4, So by your standards she is soooooo skinny.
I think the reason for americans being fatter than the english is because of the poor diet you guys eat, all those GM vegetables and McDonalds are doing you no good at all. Try to eat fresh produce that hasnt been alterered genetically and you will be off to a good start. In the UK we are fighting hard as we dont want any GM foods over here. They show programs over here about the obesity of US citizens. We are just as lazy our food is just of better quality than yours. STOP EATING JUNK FOOD!!!!!

Answer 3

In not sure that people int he UK eat the same amount of food as in the UK - portion sizes are generally samller, although the spread of US Multiples lack McD & KFC anr spreading the super sized portion

mebbe theres an element of slightly less fatty foods

mebbe theres an element of slightly more activity (ie marginally more sprots and recreation, and horror of horrors more walking, rather than being driven everywhere.

There is a chronic increase in the number of people who are fat & obese - we don't have many true lard a!ses as seem to be in the US (esp Southern US), ie those who can straddle two seats without trying, but we are working on it.

I doubt its body mechanisms, I'm pretty sure its a disease of too much wealth (therefore less manual activity (eg walking, running playing etc) too much food, and too much of the wroing type, too much driving or being driven around(refined & processed foods)) too much sigar, too much fat etc....
but then we all know this.

Answer 4

I doubt that, your premise is wrong. I travel extensively and I have found the quantity of food eaten by americans much more than the british. Its obvious from just seeing the helpings at a restaurant. I visited The Hard Rock cafe in Madrid, when I ordered the meal I was asked if I wanted an American size helping or a european. I asked whats the difference. I was told that the american starter was the size of a european main course.

Answer 5

Probably because in general, North Americans tend to eat more processed, greasy and fast food. We've turned into a fast paced society and, as a result, we've turned to quick, processed fast foods, all of which are high in fat and cholesterol. Combine that with a low exercise regime, and viola! Instant fatty nation.
Now that's just in general. I'm sure there are plenty of obese europeans, just as there are plenty of healthy North Americans. You're probably right that the food portions could be the same, but it's just the amount of fat content and no exersice that tips the scales in NA.

Answer 6

Firstly, as has been said, portion sizes are definitely bigger in America - I'd say around 50% bigger.

There's also the issue of corn syrup and corn oil. Corn syrup is the incredibly calorific sugary base for most soft drinks; corn oil is hydrogenated to produce "trans" fats which are addictive, and also cause more obesity than saturated, polyunsaturated or natural (cis-) monounsaturated fats.

The corn lobby is one of the most powerful in the US, and gets one of the biggest government subsidies, making both corn syrup and corn oil extremely cheap and plentiful there.

And finally there's America's love-affair with the motor car. Many cities, especially the likes of LA, are simply not geared up for walking - and cars and gasoline are much cheaper than in Europe - so people drive even when their journey is maybe only a quarter of a mile.

Answer 7

The last time I went to the States and stayed in a hotel for a week, I put on 4lb in a week - and that was generally asking for smaller portions in restaurants. Your guys' portion control is way excessive even by my standards.....and I have a pretty big appetite! We have friends in Canada who come over to stay pretty often, and they always remark on how frugal our restaurants are with portions. They are also disappointed with the size of meals in universal fast food restaurants. For instance, our largest available size soft drink in McD is apparently your smallest in North America, and our Canadian friend will get through at least 3 large colas in a sitting -that's an awful lot of sugar! By the way, these friends consider themselves healthy eaters by their Canadian counterparts standards, yet I struggle to fill them up when they stay over!

So no, I wouldn't agree that the average American eats the same amount as the average European.

Answer 8

Portions of food in America are massive compared to here in England. When i visited me and my friend couldn't even eat half a meal that was meant for just 1 person. Eating less food, eating more healthily and exercising more are the ways people will get smaller.

Answer 9

Excuse me ,pardon me ,I am terribly sorry but I have been to the States and am now in the UK and let me tell you some of the fattest people are in the UK.In general I think that The UK has managed to take the lead from America in the fat wars.Some people here are monstrous and yet they walk around like everything is fine when they should be put in a Natural Science Museums under"FREAKS of modern civilisation"

Answer 10

I've lived in the US and UK. I have a couple observations.
In the US, more people tend to work out, but... in the UK more people tend to build walking into their everyday habit.

Also almost every restaurant in the US offers large sodas with free refills. In the UK you get small 8 oz cokes. Want another one? Pay for it. Alot of Americans who come over here and want the typical amount they're used to end up buying a double sized serving in a pint glass and pay seven or eight bucks for it!