A thinning year for Americans

EmmaPeel wrote:


Yeah, right! Since the numbers of very obese people took another spike
upwards, I suspect the overall numbers are being kept steady by the
increased numbers of people who are losing weight on a low-carb diet.

And other weight loss plans! don't forget those of us for whom low
carbing may not suit, but who still go for healthy options and lose
weight.

While fewer households were interested in dieting, 35 percent of
Americans say they carefully plan to eat nutritious meals, the study found,
a slight increase. And the number of "Naturalists" -- people who seek
out natural cereals, home cooking and more fresh foods -- now accounts
for one-fifth of all households, up from 15 percent three years ago. NPD,
a marketing firm, compiles the study for clients like food manufacturers
and sellers.

More people are also checking their food labels frequently, hoping to
avoid too much fat, cholesterol or sugar: 53 percent now say they check,
up from 51 percent last year. And two-thirds of Americans say they are
exercising at least once a week.

This also could be skewed by the increasing numbers of low-carbers. We
tend to scrutinize labels pretty closely. And we spend most of our
time in the supermarkets at the perimeter of the store as we pick up
our fresh meats, fresh vegetables, eggs, milk, dairy - and skip all
those high-carb processed foods in the center of the store.

I don't low carb, but I don't cruise the isles reading labels much
either! (DH usually does the shopping, anne neither does he!) There
are those of us who cook from scratch on WW as well as low carbers.
When I do shop, I notice that there are far more ingredients in my
trolly than in those of other folk. If we want cake, for example (like
my son's birthday cake), I start with flour, eggs and butter. We also
tend to avoid highly processed foods with high fat, salt, and sugar
contents. Having a growing child, an adult with gall bladder disease
and a type 1 diabetic in the family means low carb diets are not
advisable.

I really haven't noticed any kind of generic movement towards more
nutritional foods per se - just a definite growing subgroup seeking
low-carb foods in particular.

Maybe this is stronger here in the UK. Our food labelling laws and
regulations are different, and it may be easier to influence change when
we see exactly what's in things. I get the impression that US food
labeling isn't as stringent as ours.

Emma
========= started 10-99: 163-146-155-139-? =========
Low Carb Savvy Shopper - losing lbs and saving $$$
http://lowcarbshopper.bestmessageboard.com

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
EmmaPeel wrote:

Yeah, right! Since the numbers of very obese people took another spike
upwards, I suspect the overall numbers are being kept steady by the
increased numbers of people who are losing weight on a low-carb diet.

And other weight loss plans! don't forget those of us for whom low
carbing may not suit, but who still go for healthy options and lose
weight.

I have been reading both the WW newsgroup and the low carb newsgroup for a
while. One thing that is very apparent is that the low carbers have an
almost "need" to prove that their way is the ONLY way. It's really quite
comical at times. It seems almost fear based. They do often have some
interesting articles posted on their newsgroup, though.

I can see the advantages of both ways of losing, although I really wonder
which would be the easiest to have as a way of life after the losing is
done. I know, for me, that WW is the one plan that has worked and FEELS
natural. I don't see a problem continuing it forever.

Carol

--
.................................................. ...........
318/248.6/169
69.4 lost since December 2002
I am a slim person in process.
.................................................. .............

Carol in NC wrote:

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
EmmaPeel wrote:

Yeah, right! Since the numbers of very obese people took another spike
upwards, I suspect the overall numbers are being kept steady by the
increased numbers of people who are losing weight on a low-carb diet.

And other weight loss plans! don't forget those of us for whom low
carbing may not suit, but who still go for healthy options and lose
weight.

I have been reading both the WW newsgroup and the low carb newsgroup for a
while. One thing that is very apparent is that the low carbers have an
almost "need" to prove that their way is the ONLY way. It's really quite
comical at times. It seems almost fear based. They do often have some
interesting articles posted on their newsgroup, though.

I can see the advantages of both ways of losing, although I really wonder
which would be the easiest to have as a way of life after the losing is
done. I know, for me, that WW is the one plan that has worked and FEELS
natural. I don't see a problem continuing it forever.

Me neither, and that's the joy of it! It isn't a diet, like Atkins,
it's a way of life with nothing to prove. The weight loss speaks for
itself. At present my diet IS more restricted than it would normally
be, but as it's the fatty stuff and the sweet stuff that I have to
avoid, that's good. The sad bit is that along with that, I have to
eschew coffee, chocolate, red meat, red wine, and very acidic things
like grapefruit!
--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
Carol in NC wrote:

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
EmmaPeel wrote:

Yeah, right! Since the numbers of very obese people took another
spike
upwards, I suspect the overall numbers are being kept steady by the
increased numbers of people who are losing weight on a low-carb
diet.

And other weight loss plans! don't forget those of us for whom low
carbing may not suit, but who still go for healthy options and lose
weight.

I have been reading both the WW newsgroup and the low carb newsgroup for
a
while. One thing that is very apparent is that the low carbers have an
almost "need" to prove that their way is the ONLY way. It's really
quite
comical at times. It seems almost fear based. They do often have some
interesting articles posted on their newsgroup, though.

I can see the advantages of both ways of losing, although I really
wonder
which would be the easiest to have as a way of life after the losing is
done. I know, for me, that WW is the one plan that has worked and FEELS
natural. I don't see a problem continuing it forever.

Me neither, and that's the joy of it! It isn't a diet, like Atkins,
it's a way of life with nothing to prove. The weight loss speaks for
itself. At present my diet IS more restricted than it would normally
be, but as it's the fatty stuff and the sweet stuff that I have to
avoid, that's good. The sad bit is that along with that, I have to
eschew coffee, chocolate, red meat, red wine, and very acidic things
like grapefruit!
--

Hi Kate,

Is there a medical reason that you can't have the things you mentioned? I
have them, although not often. I've cut down on fat a great deal, but I
still eat chocotate, red meat and red wine occasionally.

Carol

--
.................................................. ...........
318/248.6/169
69.4 lost since December 2002
I am a slim person in process.
.................................................. .............

Carol in NC wrote:


Hi Kate,

Is there a medical reason that you can't have the things you mentioned? I
have them, although not often. I've cut down on fat a great deal, but I
still eat chocotate, red meat and red wine occasionally.

Carol

Gall bladder disease! I ended up in hospital for a week, drip-fed
antibiotics and pain killers at the beginning of June this year. It was
so badly inflamed and infected that they refused to take it out then
because of the risk of peritonitis. Turns out that symptoms that my IBS
was masking point to me having had this for about 10 years! It's due to
be taken out in November, so with luck I shall be clear for Christmas.
Then I can experiment with adding back in some of the foods that I now
have to avoid, though I have a feeling that I may end up on a low fat
diet forever! Ho hum! WAAAAAY better than another episode of acute
gall bladder inflammation. I was told that it could be as painful as a
heart attack (never had one, so can't comment) or childbirth - well, it
was MUCH more painful than that! They sent me home with a regime of
1000 mg of paracetamol four times a day! I soon managed to cut that
down, and have never had to go back to it. It was all a bit nasty, I
lived on hospital soup for a week, and I really didn't feel well enough
to care!

A couple of weeks back I had a single shortbread finger, and I felt the
results for three whole days! No, not worth it! With luck I'll have
lost 28 lbs/2 stone by WI tonight, and I want to lose a bit more before
the op. NOT looking forward to it, but things will be so much better
when it's out! The real pest with this sort of thing is that everyone's
trigger foods are different. Someone else with the same basic problem
may have no trouble with red meat and chocolate, but find that bread has
them curling up in fits!
--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Hi Kate,

So sorry to hear about the gallbladder problems. Hopefully, the problems
will be well minimized with the operation. It's good that you'll have it
over before Christmas.

I hope that things proceed well for you.

Carol

--
.................................................. ...........
318/248.6/169
69.4 lost since December 2002
I am a slim person in process.
.................................................. .............
"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
Carol in NC wrote:


Hi Kate,

Is there a medical reason that you can't have the things you mentioned?
I
have them, although not often. I've cut down on fat a great deal, but
I
still eat chocotate, red meat and red wine occasionally.

Carol

Gall bladder disease! I ended up in hospital for a week, drip-fed
antibiotics and pain killers at the beginning of June this year. It was
so badly inflamed and infected that they refused to take it out then
because of the risk of peritonitis. Turns out that symptoms that my IBS
was masking point to me having had this for about 10 years! It's due to
be taken out in November, so with luck I shall be clear for Christmas.
Then I can experiment with adding back in some of the foods that I now
have to avoid, though I have a feeling that I may end up on a low fat
diet forever! Ho hum! WAAAAAY better than another episode of acute
gall bladder inflammation. I was told that it could be as painful as a
heart attack (never had one, so can't comment) or childbirth - well, it
was MUCH more painful than that! They sent me home with a regime of
1000 mg of paracetamol four times a day! I soon managed to cut that
down, and have never had to go back to it. It was all a bit nasty, I
lived on hospital soup for a week, and I really didn't feel well enough
to care!

A couple of weeks back I had a single shortbread finger, and I felt the
results for three whole days! No, not worth it! With luck I'll have
lost 28 lbs/2 stone by WI tonight, and I want to lose a bit more before
the op. NOT looking forward to it, but things will be so much better
when it's out! The real pest with this sort of thing is that everyone's
trigger foods are different. Someone else with the same basic problem
may have no trouble with red meat and chocolate, but find that bread has
them curling up in fits!
--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Hope your surgery goes well Kate. Peritonitis is not nice at all. My
husband had his appendix removed in May, then 10 days later his bowel
ruptured and he ended up with peritonitis. He spent 6.5 weeks in the
hospital. Is all healed up now, but since they had to remove 3 feet of his
damaged bowel, he is now scheduled to go for surgery November 4 to reverse
his ileostomy. Understandably, he is very concerned about this upcoming
surgery. I'm sure it will all go well.

My father had his gall bladder removed a few years ago, and his surgery went
well, he was out of the hospital the day after surgery (laparoscopic
surgery). Good luck to you.

--
Brenda
209/173/150
NYNY goal 160

"Kate Dicey" wrote in message
...
Carol in NC wrote:


Hi Kate,

Is there a medical reason that you can't have the things you mentioned?
I
have them, although not often. I've cut down on fat a great deal, but
I
still eat chocotate, red meat and red wine occasionally.

Carol

Gall bladder disease! I ended up in hospital for a week, drip-fed
antibiotics and pain killers at the beginning of June this year. It was
so badly inflamed and infected that they refused to take it out then
because of the risk of peritonitis. Turns out that symptoms that my IBS
was masking point to me having had this for about 10 years! It's due to
be taken out in November, so with luck I shall be clear for Christmas.
Then I can experiment with adding back in some of the foods that I now
have to avoid, though I have a feeling that I may end up on a low fat
diet forever! Ho hum! WAAAAAY better than another episode of acute
gall bladder inflammation. I was told that it could be as painful as a
heart attack (never had one, so can't comment) or childbirth - well, it
was MUCH more painful than that! They sent me home with a regime of
1000 mg of paracetamol four times a day! I soon managed to cut that
down, and have never had to go back to it. It was all a bit nasty, I
lived on hospital soup for a week, and I really didn't feel well enough
to care!

A couple of weeks back I had a single shortbread finger, and I felt the
results for three whole days! No, not worth it! With luck I'll have
lost 28 lbs/2 stone by WI tonight, and I want to lose a bit more before
the op. NOT looking forward to it, but things will be so much better
when it's out! The real pest with this sort of thing is that everyone's
trigger foods are different. Someone else with the same basic problem
may have no trouble with red meat and chocolate, but find that bread has
them curling up in fits!
--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

EmmaPeel wrote:
JeanC wrote:

By Jon Bonné, MSNBC


There's light at the end of the Twinkie. Americans' collective weight gain
leveled off in the past year after half a decade of us all getting fatter,
according to a new national survey of eating habits. Consumers appear to be
focusing on healthier foods and are more worried about fats and additives.

THE RESULTS come from the NPD Group's annual "Eating Patterns in America"
study, publicly released Tuesday. The study tracked how many Americans were
overweight based on the Body Mass Index (BMI). The percentage of overweight
Americans has always grown, according to the study, and rose from 50
percent in 1998 to 56 percent in the 2002 study. This year revealed a drop
to 55 percent -- hardly a sign of impending twiggishness, but possibly a
hint that Americans are hearing the gospel about healthy eating.
"It's a surprise," says NPD vice president Harry Balzer, who has authored
the study for nearly 20 years. "The one thing we could count on was
Americans were going to get heavier."

Balzer is less sure about why obesity seems to have leveled off. In part,
he believes it may be that we're finally absorbing years of nutrition
labels (federally mandated since 1994), food guidelines and recommendations
like the "Five a Day" program for vegetables.

[snip]

Yeah, right! Since the numbers of very obese people took another spike
upwards, I suspect the overall numbers are being kept steady by the
increased numbers of people who are losing weight on a low-carb diet.

Actually I think it's probably the recession.

Unemployement reduces eating out in restauraunts, work-sponsored
and leisure time.

Note that not having money is not the same as chronic poverty----those
who are now unemployed and used to have substantial professional jobs
have superior eating habits and notions than poorly educated and skilled
poor people.

So when they have to scrimp and make food at home, they make healthier
things and have healthier habits.

in sum: unemployed geeks lose weight

This also could be skewed by the increasing numbers of low-carbers. We
tend to scrutinize labels pretty closely. And we spend most of our
time in the supermarkets at the perimeter of the store as we pick up
our fresh meats, fresh vegetables, eggs, milk, dairy - and skip all
those high-carb processed foods in the center of the store.

that probably helps a little bit.

If they simultaneously correlated this with changes in differential
food purchases it might be stronger.

I really haven't noticed any kind of generic movement towards more
nutritional foods per se - just a definite growing subgroup seeking
low-carb foods in particular.

Emma
========= started 10-99: 163-146-155-139-? =========
Low Carb Savvy Shopper - losing lbs and saving $$$
http://lowcarbshopper.bestmessageboard.com

Carol in NC wrote:

Hi Kate,

So sorry to hear about the gallbladder problems. Hopefully, the problems
will be well minimized with the operation. It's good that you'll have it
over before Christmas.

I hope that things proceed well for you.

Carol

Thanks! I try NOT to dwell on it, but sometimes it makes itself
felt!

--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!