I caught an English programme on PBS Monday night. I didn't finish it as it went on quite late, but the subject was why, when people are trying to eat healthy foods, are the English getting so fat. Low fat, fat people.This of course applies to large parts of the Western world. The basic premise is that people believe that if a food is marketed as healthy, lo or low fat, or similar, it will also be low calorie and help them lose weight. If food is perceived to be healthy the general public will buy it even though in many cases it might contain more calories than a Big Mac. One case in point was a Subway foot long and a Big Mac, the foot
long has more calories but people perceive Subway food as being healthy food. According to the programme, this is what the big food companies are relying on and marketing towards. Personally I never buy low fat or fat free anything. If I buy food with a lot of calories in it, I don't eat too much of it at any one time. As they pointed out, low fat yogurts, for example, often have loads of sugar in them. The moral seems to be read the labels and read them properly. Don't believe the marketing on the processed food. I am not sure about England these days but our nutrition labels are a very good guide as to what is really healthy and low calorie. Actually the TV programme was pretty scary because of the way we, as consumers, are being targeted by the big food companies. They don't care about our health but only their bottom line. Matt and I do eat a sub now and again, but we only have a 6 inch. If you are a regular reader, you will know that I put a lot of effort into losing weight in the last few years (46 lbs) and I am also putting a lot of effort into maintaining that weight loss. Another point was if consumers knew a food manufacturer or restaurant had a low calorie item, the apparently perceived everything from the same source to be low calorie whether it was or not.
Bearing in mind that in this part of the world many are suffering from pretty hot temps, I thought this dessert would go down well. No, this is not a low calorie dessert.
Berry Bliss No-Bake Cheesecake
Kraft Kitchens
Does the bliss come from the creamy cheesecake and sweet, juicy berries? Or the fact that it's a
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
Make it
Mix graham crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan
Mash 2 cups berries with 1/4 cup sugar in medium bowl. Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add mashed berries; beat on low speed just until blended. Gently stir in COOL WHIP; spoon over crust.
Refrigerate 6 hours. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; remove rim. Top cheesecake with remaining berries.
As you have said now a days obesity is playing a bid role in our day to day life. So people investigate all the food items before they eat.Foods need to be healthy and with low fat. I am also sailing on the same boat. I used to maintain diet on weekdays and eat well on weekends. I am controlling my weight little bit...
Childhood obesity is a real problem. I never understood what was so cute about a fat baby. And parents bragging about how much their child eats. But that sounds like another blog post I need to write.
It's not just childhood obesity though Denise, there are so many really fat people around these days. I have always had a weight problem but I do not understand how some people allow themselves to get so huge.
My mother always bought low fat and fat free stuff when I was a kid and made me eat it b/c she thought I was fat. I look at pics of me from childhood and I wasn't. Now I have a weight problem thanks to her. It's so frustrating.
Such misunderstandings are common JoJo. It is getting to be a big problem. I remember hearing, when I still lived there, that the British were never fitter than when they couldn't get a lot of foods due to war time rationing.
We are the same Alex. As I said, now and again we might have a sub, but not very often. In the long run, I wonder if it really costs more. After all if you get fat then you will likely have medical problems which, in the US, you have to shell out for.
Because I can't eat sugar - it makes me ill - I learned long ago to read labels carefully and realised that most manufactured foods, even the supposedly low fat and healthy options, are packed with sugar. The trouble is most people don't understand that sugar isn't only listed as 'sugar'. There are multiple other 'hidden' kinds of sugar like dextrose and glucose so you really have to be aware of what the listed ingredients really are.
So very true Helen. If they take out something they have to put something else in to assist the flavour and for some reason people don't twig. Low Fat is diet food to them. I'm glad I can eat sugar, what would chocolate be without it? I don't sugar my coffee though, or use milk.
I heard fat free really has a lot more sugar in it, but people think it is healthy so they buy it. I agree with you; read the labels. A lot of people also get deceived because they don't read portion sizes on labels. A lot of times they think it is one portion when it is actually two portions. I like what the Bible says; all things in moderation. If we did more of that, I think we would have less obesity.
Congrats on dropping a little over three stone. Wiggy our pup, dropped a stone, right after we took her off Blue (which was marketed as healthy but was really a big bag of piss). Sooooo, we putmher on Alberta Canada food kibble, along with homemade and bam. One stone gone.
So I agree, reading and understanding labelsmis key.
As for Subway, I think of them as junk food. Nothing fresh about processed breads, meats, cheeses, and vedge that's been sprayed with yet, more piss.
Stone Ivy? That's an English measurement. I didn't even think of stone myself I am too used to talking in pounds these days. I haven't progressed to kilos though.
I enjoy a 6 inch sub now and again. We always have wholewheat bread.
Yes stone. Love it. A stone is 14 pounds as you know, and I have a thing for fours! So it works for me and I think in stones. Anyway, one for Wiggy and a little over three for you, is fantastic.
How unusual Ivy. I bet many of your friends don't know what you're talking about. Glad Wiggy has lost a stone too. Overweight animals are a tragedy I think.
You my friend, would lose that bet. As I have other friends that use stone as well. Even in my own back yard. It's not that big of a deal to say stone or pound, or really whatever you fancy. As long as you like it, that's all that matters. So you count those pounds and I'll go jump in a BIG pile of leaves. Muhahahahahahahaha.
As for Miss Wiggy, she had an operation that left her hard to breath, swollen, bloated and with weight gain. We were feeding her Blue and not a lot of it, we don't over feed our pets. That's a brainless thing to do.
Anyway, we took her off Blue and put her on Alberta Canada kibble, mixed with homemade food and BAM! Problem solved.
She is no longer swollen, jumps and is back to normal. Such a great thing and I'm thankful there's a company in Alberta that does dog food right.
It's confusing to a lot of people. I understand the way calories work because I've been on a diet for forty years! Seriously though, I try to eat under 1400 calories for 6 days a week and have a splurge on Saturday. It doesn't really matter (as you said) if food is low fat or low sugar if it's high in calories. You nailed it when you said you only eat a little bit of the naughty stuff.
Did you hear how Coke was paying scientists to say it's not the food and drink, it's the lack of exercise? The food companies have tried and succeeded in hiding the facts, why not continue the practice? Shame, shame, shame! http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/coca-cola-funds-scientists-who-shift-blame-for-obesity-away-from-bad-diets/?_r=0
I saw that documentary and it is so true about fat-free this and fat free that. If I want to use butter, I will! It is better than all the crap they push saying it's healthier when it really isn't. If we got rid of all the fast food quick stuff in the grocery stores, the store would shrink by over half! Fresh produce would stay, most dairy would stay but many yogurts and dips would go. Most of the cereals would be gone and we would only have the basic quaker oats not the instant ones with all the sugar. The bread section-much would stay but the cake area would be gone and the frozen cakes, ice creams, popsicles etc.. all gone. 98% of the sauces have sugar in them as does salad dressings. Much of the frozen stuff would go like pizza pockets etc...-sugar etc.. In fact, sugar is one of the worst-I have hypoglycemia so I know. I do cheat which I should not do but very hard not to when you also have a sweet tooth
I would hate to see all those things disappear Birgit but you are essentially right of course. Mind you I like Quaker Oats but then I add a sweetener of some kind. I remember Jamie Oliver covering a school bus with sugar as a demo of how much sugar kids were getting in their chocolate milks. Horrifying.
no-bake recipe? (And does it really matter?) 
As you have said now a days obesity is playing a bid role in our day to day life. So people investigate all the food items before they eat.Foods need to be healthy and with low fat. I am also sailing on the same boat. I used to maintain diet on weekdays and eat well on weekends. I am controlling my weight little bit...
ReplyDeleteTrouble is people are not properly investigating the foods before they buy them. They tend to believe Low Fat means low calorie. It doesn't.
DeleteChildhood obesity is a real problem. I never understood what was so cute about a fat baby. And parents bragging about how much their child eats. But that sounds like another blog post I need to write.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just childhood obesity though Denise, there are so many really fat people around these days. I have always had a weight problem but I do not understand how some people allow themselves to get so huge.
DeleteMy mother always bought low fat and fat free stuff when I was a kid and made me eat it b/c she thought I was fat. I look at pics of me from childhood and I wasn't. Now I have a weight problem thanks to her. It's so frustrating.
ReplyDeleteSuch misunderstandings are common JoJo. It is getting to be a big problem. I remember hearing, when I still lived there, that the British were never fitter than when they couldn't get a lot of foods due to war time rationing.
DeleteWe always look at labels and almost never eat fast food.
ReplyDeleteEating healthy actually costs more. Which is another reason most people don't eat right.
We are the same Alex. As I said, now and again we might have a sub, but not very often. In the long run, I wonder if it really costs more. After all if you get fat then you will likely have medical problems which, in the US, you have to shell out for.
DeleteBecause I can't eat sugar - it makes me ill - I learned long ago to read labels carefully and realised that most manufactured foods, even the supposedly low fat and healthy options, are packed with sugar. The trouble is most people don't understand that sugar isn't only listed as 'sugar'. There are multiple other 'hidden' kinds of sugar like dextrose and glucose so you really have to be aware of what the listed ingredients really are.
ReplyDeleteSo very true Helen. If they take out something they have to put something else in to assist the flavour and for some reason people don't twig. Low Fat is diet food to them. I'm glad I can eat sugar, what would chocolate be without it? I don't sugar my coffee though, or use milk.
DeleteI heard fat free really has a lot more sugar in it, but people think it is healthy so they buy it. I agree with you; read the labels. A lot of people also get deceived because they don't read portion sizes on labels. A lot of times they think it is one portion when it is actually two portions. I like what the Bible says; all things in moderation. If we did more of that, I think we would have less obesity.
ReplyDeletebetty
That is my motto too Betty.
DeleteCongrats on dropping a little over three stone. Wiggy our pup, dropped a stone, right after we took her off Blue (which was marketed as healthy but was really a big bag of piss). Sooooo, we putmher on Alberta Canada food kibble, along with homemade and bam. One stone gone.
ReplyDeleteSo I agree, reading and understanding labelsmis key.
As for Subway, I think of them as junk food. Nothing fresh about processed breads, meats, cheeses, and vedge that's been sprayed with yet, more piss.
Stone Ivy? That's an English measurement. I didn't even think of stone myself I am too used to talking in pounds these days. I haven't progressed to kilos though.
DeleteI enjoy a 6 inch sub now and again. We always have wholewheat bread.
Yes stone. Love it. A stone is 14 pounds as you know, and I have a thing for fours! So it works for me and I think in stones. Anyway, one for Wiggy and a little over three for you, is fantastic.
DeleteHow unusual Ivy. I bet many of your friends don't know what you're talking about. Glad Wiggy has lost a stone too. Overweight animals are a tragedy I think.
DeleteYou my friend, would lose that bet. As I have other friends that use stone as well. Even in my own back yard. It's not that big of a deal to say stone or pound, or really whatever you fancy. As long as you like it, that's all that matters. So you count those pounds and I'll go jump in a BIG pile of leaves. Muhahahahahahahaha.
DeleteAs for Miss Wiggy, she had an operation that left her hard to breath, swollen, bloated and with weight gain. We were feeding her Blue and not a lot of it, we don't over feed our pets. That's a brainless thing to do.
Anyway, we took her off Blue and put her on Alberta Canada kibble, mixed with homemade food and BAM! Problem solved.
She is no longer swollen, jumps and is back to normal. Such a great thing and I'm thankful there's a company in Alberta that does dog food right.
I'm delighted to hear Miss Wiggy is doing so well.
DeleteWow, that cheesecake looks terrific. I know many low-fat foods are high in sugar content. It is difficult to eat healthy at times.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
Just buy regular foods is my motto Susan and watch how much you are eating of anything high calorie in particular.
DeleteIt's confusing to a lot of people. I understand the way calories work because I've been on a diet for forty years! Seriously though, I try to eat under 1400 calories for 6 days a week and have a splurge on Saturday. It doesn't really matter (as you said) if food is low fat or low sugar if it's high in calories. You nailed it when you said you only eat a little bit of the naughty stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of what I do Pinky, splurge a bit on Saturdays. Although today we had our bowling banquet so ate some of the wrong things today.
DeleteP.S. Cheesecake looks scrumptious and sinful :)
ReplyDeleteA good dish for Saturday then Pinky.
DeleteYou lecture us on obesity and then you post a recipe like that.
ReplyDeleteReally, Grandmother Dragon. Seriously?
LOL Kidding. That cheesecake looks wonderful!
I think Alex hit on a good point. It costs more to eat well.
But as I said, particularly in the US, overweight can cost you a lot more in health. That recipe is fine if you only eat a small piece Melissa.
DeleteDid you hear how Coke was paying scientists to say it's not the food and drink, it's the lack of exercise? The food companies have tried and succeeded in hiding the facts, why not continue the practice? Shame, shame, shame!
ReplyDeletehttp://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/coca-cola-funds-scientists-who-shift-blame-for-obesity-away-from-bad-diets/?_r=0
No I didn't Yolanda, mind you there is some truth in that. As someone said, it's the same as the tobacco companies years ago.
DeleteI saw that documentary and it is so true about fat-free this and fat free that. If I want to use butter, I will! It is better than all the crap they push saying it's healthier when it really isn't. If we got rid of all the fast food quick stuff in the grocery stores, the store would shrink by over half! Fresh produce would stay, most dairy would stay but many yogurts and dips would go. Most of the cereals would be gone and we would only have the basic quaker oats not the instant ones with all the sugar. The bread section-much would stay but the cake area would be gone and the frozen cakes, ice creams, popsicles etc.. all gone. 98% of the sauces have sugar in them as does salad dressings. Much of the frozen stuff would go like pizza pockets etc...-sugar etc.. In fact, sugar is one of the worst-I have hypoglycemia so I know. I do cheat which I should not do but very hard not to when you also have a sweet tooth
ReplyDeleteI would hate to see all those things disappear Birgit but you are essentially right of course. Mind you I like Quaker Oats but then I add a sweetener of some kind. I remember Jamie Oliver covering a school bus with sugar as a demo of how much sugar kids were getting in their chocolate milks. Horrifying.
Delete12" turkey on white with Provolone. Half for one meal, remainder for later. What's a calorie? oh yeah, a rating on taste: higher=better! :)
ReplyDeleteKudos on the 46 lbs!
Anyone as skinny as you doesn't have to worry Jeff. But you are still only eating 6" per meal.
DeleteThanks. I just wish I could lose a few more.