Obesity In America

While talking with my Plastic surgeion (Dr. Esmailian) about my web page he recommended a movie “Super Size Me”. I went out and bought it, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing; how the high fat meals were killing Morgan Spurlock. I definitely recommend seeing it (I purchased it at Best Buy for $7.00). The movie is written and stars Morgan Spurlock who ate at McDonalds for 30 days (every meal). One should realize that just eating at McDonalds isn’t the problem with the Obesity in America, it is all of the restaurants, BUT more important the poor choices that we make daily! Even in our homes we choose the wrong foods to eat (chips, cookies, candy, lard, fried foods, etc.). I know that with our busy lives we tell ourselves; “Im too busy, I don’t have time” to make a decent meal for my family (soccer, baseball, football, ballet, dance, etc.). The best invention made is the Crock Pot!! Just remember that your lives and health are at risk every time you don’t take the time.

I do my shopping on Sunday afternoons for the weeks lunches and dinners. When I get home I clean and package the foods so they are ready at hand. This is important because if they are not ready to eat, you will not eat them. We all know what our schedule will be like and when their children have practice/game; pack some snacks, fruit or even a sandwich for during or after practice/game. You might say my child doesn’t like fruit or vegetables, I have learned that children like many things but they are not given the opportunity to try them because they are not accessible. Children usually eat what is in front of them and what they see YOU eating. Instead of soda have water, if you don't care for the plain flavor of water there are flavors available that have less sugar. They do have many snack packs available in stores as well, but to make them up is just as easy and less expensive.

There are so many "Diet" plans out there; Jenny Craig, Nutri System and Weight Watchers to name a few large ones. All of these plans assist you in eating the correct food and portions, although 2 of them ask you to purchase their prepackaged foods. In my opinion that is why I prefer Weight Watchers. The Plan assists you in the everyday life of food choices. Weight Watchers does have some items that you could purchase outside of the plan but their main focus is for you to become aware of the food in the "real world" and for you to make the correct choices. Although some people may like the fact that they dont have to think about what to fix, they may like the other plans. What ever may be your case it is important to get some kind of knowledge and assistance.

The girl that is interviewed on “Super Size Me” met Jarrod (the Subway Guy) said it loud and clear. “We all can’t afford to go to Subway every day and eat as he did” to lose the weight. Well that is my POINT. We have to set sensible and realistic food choices. Doctors have been telling us for centuries that we need to have a well balanced diet. Now I know the word “diet” puts up road blocks for people, that is why you must think of it is a “New Way of Life” TM of eating.

Here are some hints:
Fist = 1 cup or 1 meduim fruit
Cupped Hand = 1 to 2 ounces of nuts or pretzles
Palm (without fingers) = 3 counces of meat, fish or poultry
Thumb (tip to base) = 1 ounce of meat or cheese
Thumb Tip (tip to 1st joint) = 1 tablespoon
Fingertip (tip to 1st joint) = 1 teaspoon
Fiber: If you eat foods higher in fiber you will feel full longer.

Here are the food groups that you should have daily:
Fruits
Vegetables
Grains
Milk/milk products
Meats, poultry and fish
Nuts, seeds and legumes(sometimes, meat, poultry, fish, nuts, seeds and legumes are referred to as the “protein group”.

As a fellow obese person I know that it's little wonder that we have an obesity epidemic. Food is everywhere - beaming from roadsides, advertised on television, screaming in bright colors from grocery store shelves, glowing in vending machines down the hall from your cubicle. Fast food getting "Bigger" everywhere you go isn't helping either. The government complains that we are obese but they haven't done anything about the "Super Size or should I refraise go LARGE".? I guess since fast food places know we will buy it they will serve it. That, coupled with a life of sitting - in cars, at desks, on couches - has set us on the road to an obesity epidemic.
This morning (Dec 13, 07) studies show that Cholesterol Levels are down from 1992, below 200. But if you really listen to what they have to say about it, more people are on some kind of "drug" to lower their Cholesterol. "Studies" also say that we are choosing better foods, so why is Obesity still a growing epidemic? We rely on drugs to cure us so we don't have to take responsibilty for our own actions.

This morning (Dec 20, 07) on the news they are saying that the Government wants to tax places that sell soda because of the sugar that it has in it. This has to be one of the most rediculous things I have heard. Lets tax people that sell something that people want. Next they will be taxing fruit since some of it has a high amount of sugar in it. People have to make these choices for themselves, just because the amount of soda, fruit, fried foods goes up we always seem to find that extra money to buy it if we want it. It is up to each person to make that choice, not for the Government to raise taxes so we "might" think twice about purchasing it. Wake up America we need some education on eating healthy and making it work in our life styles, not high taxes on foods!!