Thoughtful, wonderful words from Barbara Holtzman indeed, and it's cool that she let you use her info on the site!
Several years ago a friend and I were lucky enough to visit Paris. First, it is right what they say -- people in Europe are simply not as overweight as we are in the United States. Most people, in fact, are lean. Second, I was astonished at how my own eating habits changed while we were there. Because of the way it's presented, a bowl of french onion soup and a chunk of bread with a glass of wine was one of the most satisfying meals I'd ever had. We'd walk around all day shopping and when we needed lunch or a snack, we would pop into one of the many sidewalk shops available all over the city -- their version of fast food would often be something fresh, made on site, from whole ingredients. Sandwiches on croissants, salads, focaccias or quiches, for instance, with small places to sit and enjoy them. It was satisfying food and it was an enjoyable experience and it was plenty of food. And this happened even though we were walking and getting quite a lot of exercise.
Diets don't work, but clearly if we are to tackle obesity in the United States, something big will have to change. Our society is built around the car, convenience and size. When you're surrounded by fast foods of all kinds, made from processed foods and given in mammoth sizes, it almost feels like the deck is stacked against you from the start. And that out-of-control feeling is a trigger for eating disorders, too.
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Mary,
Thoughtful, wonderful words from Barbara Holtzman indeed, and it's cool that she let you use her info on the site!
Several years ago a friend and I were lucky enough to visit Paris. First, it is right what they say -- people in Europe are simply not as overweight as we are in the United States. Most people, in fact, are lean. Second, I was astonished at how my own eating habits changed while we were there. Because of the way it's presented, a bowl of french onion soup and a chunk of bread with a glass of wine was one of the most satisfying meals I'd ever had. We'd walk around all day shopping and when we needed lunch or a snack, we would pop into one of the many sidewalk shops available all over the city -- their version of fast food would often be something fresh, made on site, from whole ingredients. Sandwiches on croissants, salads, focaccias or quiches, for instance, with small places to sit and enjoy them. It was satisfying food and it was an enjoyable experience and it was plenty of food. And this happened even though we were walking and getting quite a lot of exercise.
Diets don't work, but clearly if we are to tackle obesity in the United States, something big will have to change. Our society is built around the car, convenience and size. When you're surrounded by fast foods of all kinds, made from processed foods and given in mammoth sizes, it almost feels like the deck is stacked against you from the start. And that out-of-control feeling is a trigger for eating disorders, too.
January 27, 2010 - 11:46amThis Comment
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