Happier Abroad Forum Community

rabbithabit wrote: ↑

January 11th, 2019, 9:01 pm

preservatives and additives in the processed food is unique to western countries as well as huge portions at every meal. in asia most people eat fresh foods and small amounts more often.

From what I've heard, it's not the case in Western Europe except for probably the UK. And here in Mexico, preservatives and additives are nowhere as common as they are in the U.S., though they've been importing some processed foods from the U.S. via the North American Free Trade Agreement. But carbs are another factor contributing to weight gain, which is why I decided to cut bread, pasta, and pizza from my diet.

carbs not western problem, but huge amounts and lack of physical activity

I'm not on board the carbs-are-evil train. We need carbs for energy. But pay attention to where you get them from.

Also, those who eat any kind of beef are doing themselves a disservice, to say nothing of the poor cow!

flowerthief00 wrote: ↑

January 12th, 2019, 10:01 pm

I'm not on board the carbs-are-evil train. We need carbs for energy. But pay attention to where you get them from.

Also, those who eat any kind of beef are doing themselves a disservice, to say nothing of the poor cow!

....and you are an adamant advocate for soy too I bet?

^ Not in particular, but I do like soy myself. The form I most often eat it in--tofu--is not really the best way to eat it.

There is this to be said for tofu:


(had to post that since I just came across it by chance!)

There are alternatives healthier than tofu:

Nowadays there is sugar in all foods, preservatives, additives, lots of salt that make you gain weight and not muscles, but fat. Eating as fresh as possible would be the best but it's not always possible...

expat79 wrote: ↑

February 14th, 2019, 10:57 pm

Nowadays there is sugar in all foods, preservatives, additives, lots of salt that make you gain weight and not muscles, but fat. Eating as fresh as possible would be the best but it's not always possible...

You'd have to live in a particular pocket area of the U.S. where there are local farmers' markets in order to eat fresh. If not, you spend a bunch at health food stores such as Whole Foods.

MattHanson1990 wrote: ↑

February 15th, 2019, 5:32 pm

You'd have to live in a particular pocket area of the U.S. where there are local farmers' markets in order to eat fresh. If not, you spend a bunch at health food stores such as Whole Foods.

I like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's but they are pretty expensive. I try to stay away from foods high in sugar, salt and fat as much as possible.

jamesbond wrote: ↑

February 15th, 2019, 6:26 pm

MattHanson1990 wrote: ↑

February 15th, 2019, 5:32 pm

You'd have to live in a particular pocket area of the U.S. where there are local farmers' markets in order to eat fresh. If not, you spend a bunch at health food stores such as Whole Foods.

I like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's but they are pretty expensive. I try to stay away from foods high in sugar, salt and fat as much as possible.

Trader Joe's is actually cheaper than Whole Foods. My family used to shop at Whole Foods until a Trader Joe's opened in Santa Fe around late 2004 or early 2005.