RE: Subject: Medscape Obesity

[Guest guest]

Very good article. It pretty much hits the nail on the head. I would suggest

however, that while most people in fact eat like dogs, they do so, not because

they don't know any better, but because they just love to eat. Millions of

dollars are spent on assuring that restaurant and processed foods taste just

right.

I bet I'm not the only one on this list that only eats half a serving, or eats 2

or 3 French fries, and throws the rest away. We don't eat out very much, but

I've been taking doggie bags (or boxes) home from restaurants for many years. I

like the sediment expressed in the article, and agree, but I think it's really

going to take much stronger intervention, such as marketing restrictions and/or

food additive regulations, to reverse the present stuff your face ideology

running rampant.

Dave

Writing and speaking for a Higher purpose. Visit my blog:

http://www.authordavidbond.blogspot.com/

Medscape Obesity

Here is an article written for Medscape by my brother, a very sensible doctor.

I think wc can all gain from this, or shall I say lose?--Vicki

The obesity problem in the US is largely cultural. Our culture has been

constructed upon a platform of the economy. The economy is a manifestation of

market forces. Market forces reflect the psychology of the population. The

psychology of the US population is one of " more is better " and " more for less is

best " . The portions we eat reflect this fundamental psychology of US citizens.

Market forces have forced restaurants, fast food and otherwise, to serve large

portions or go out of business. Add to this the cheap, high caloric high

fructose corn syrup, from US subsidized corn crops, found in so many over the

counter foods, and it is easy to see why much of the population is obese.

But, this could all be overcome if we, collectively and as individuals, were

intelligent enough to only eat what we need to be healthy. The unfortunate

truth, however, is that most people eat whatever is in front of them. In other

words, most people are about as discriminating about how much they eat as the

average Labrador Retriever. Most dogs will eat everything that is put in front

of them. Unfortunately, this is true of people as well. How many people go to a

restaurant and eat half the steak, or half the sandwich? How many Mc's

customers eat half the burger and throw out the other half, or have just a few

of the fries and throw out the rest? The answer: zero, or very nearly so. As a

people, despite our supposedly lofty ideals, we eat like ignorant animals. Thank

God we have to at least pay for food, or we'd be even fatter than we are now.

This is not intended to be an indictment of the average American and their

foolishness. Rather, it is a simple, realistic assessment of the current

problem, necessary to allow appropriate action to be taken. What then is the

appropriate action: Portions. American's are conscious of what they eat, how

much fat or carbs their food has, but has become largely oblivious to the

portions of food they blithely inhale. Low fat diets, Atkins diet, high protein

diet, low carb diets, all work to some extent simply because they make us stop

and think about what we are eating before we eat. You could just as easily have

a " Color Diet " , which limits how much red and white food you eat.

Americans need to start eating smaller portions. Eat half the sandwich and

stop. Eat half the cookie. Learn that throwing out the other half is not a bad

thing to do; it is a good thing. Split the burgers in half and let people share

them. Split the hotdog. Split the steak. Why let the amount you eat be

determined purely by market forces and the psychology of the masses. Try two

tablespoons of ice cream, then stop and think how you feel. Do not feel any need

to finish your plate. Stop each meal and reflect: Am I satisfied? Would I be OK

if I just stopped eating now? This is where we fail. We eat like dogs. We eat

everything put in front of us. Add to this the fact that we plan our eating not

around when we are hungry, but around what time it is. We eat lunch and dinner

because it is lunch or dinner time.

In summary: stop and think about when you eat and how much you eat. Take pride

in eating small, regular meals. Be proud that you can actually eat half a

cookie. If you are not hungry, don't sit down and gorge yourself just because

everyone else in the family/company/restaurant is doing that. Have a glass of

water, maybe a salad, and enjoy the conversation. Set an example for others.

Change the psychology of those around you, and of the US. Change market forces.

Change the economy. Change what it takes for a restaurant to succeed. End the

American tragedy of rampant obesity.

Wow! What a breakthrough diet plan: EAT LESS!

RDMMD

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature

database 3471 (20080925) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as

Lord.

Hosea 2:20, NLT

[Guest guest]

Very good article. It pretty much hits the nail on the head. I would suggest

however, that while most people in fact eat like dogs, they do so, not because

they don't know any better, but because they just love to eat. Millions of

dollars are spent on assuring that restaurant and processed foods taste just

right.

I bet I'm not the only one on this list that only eats half a serving, or eats 2

or 3 French fries, and throws the rest away. We don't eat out very much, but

I've been taking doggie bags (or boxes) home from restaurants for many years. I

like the sediment expressed in the article, and agree, but I think it's really

going to take much stronger intervention, such as marketing restrictions and/or

food additive regulations, to reverse the present stuff your face ideology

running rampant.

Dave

Writing and speaking for a Higher purpose. Visit my blog:

http://www.authordavidbond.blogspot.com/

Medscape Obesity

Here is an article written for Medscape by my brother, a very sensible doctor.

I think wc can all gain from this, or shall I say lose?--Vicki

The obesity problem in the US is largely cultural. Our culture has been

constructed upon a platform of the economy. The economy is a manifestation of

market forces. Market forces reflect the psychology of the population. The

psychology of the US population is one of " more is better " and " more for less is

best " . The portions we eat reflect this fundamental psychology of US citizens.

Market forces have forced restaurants, fast food and otherwise, to serve large

portions or go out of business. Add to this the cheap, high caloric high

fructose corn syrup, from US subsidized corn crops, found in so many over the

counter foods, and it is easy to see why much of the population is obese.

But, this could all be overcome if we, collectively and as individuals, were

intelligent enough to only eat what we need to be healthy. The unfortunate

truth, however, is that most people eat whatever is in front of them. In other

words, most people are about as discriminating about how much they eat as the

average Labrador Retriever. Most dogs will eat everything that is put in front

of them. Unfortunately, this is true of people as well. How many people go to a

restaurant and eat half the steak, or half the sandwich? How many Mc's

customers eat half the burger and throw out the other half, or have just a few

of the fries and throw out the rest? The answer: zero, or very nearly so. As a

people, despite our supposedly lofty ideals, we eat like ignorant animals. Thank

God we have to at least pay for food, or we'd be even fatter than we are now.

This is not intended to be an indictment of the average American and their

foolishness. Rather, it is a simple, realistic assessment of the current

problem, necessary to allow appropriate action to be taken. What then is the

appropriate action: Portions. American's are conscious of what they eat, how

much fat or carbs their food has, but has become largely oblivious to the

portions of food they blithely inhale. Low fat diets, Atkins diet, high protein

diet, low carb diets, all work to some extent simply because they make us stop

and think about what we are eating before we eat. You could just as easily have

a " Color Diet " , which limits how much red and white food you eat.

Americans need to start eating smaller portions. Eat half the sandwich and

stop. Eat half the cookie. Learn that throwing out the other half is not a bad

thing to do; it is a good thing. Split the burgers in half and let people share

them. Split the hotdog. Split the steak. Why let the amount you eat be

determined purely by market forces and the psychology of the masses. Try two

tablespoons of ice cream, then stop and think how you feel. Do not feel any need

to finish your plate. Stop each meal and reflect: Am I satisfied? Would I be OK

if I just stopped eating now? This is where we fail. We eat like dogs. We eat

everything put in front of us. Add to this the fact that we plan our eating not

around when we are hungry, but around what time it is. We eat lunch and dinner

because it is lunch or dinner time.

In summary: stop and think about when you eat and how much you eat. Take pride

in eating small, regular meals. Be proud that you can actually eat half a

cookie. If you are not hungry, don't sit down and gorge yourself just because

everyone else in the family/company/restaurant is doing that. Have a glass of

water, maybe a salad, and enjoy the conversation. Set an example for others.

Change the psychology of those around you, and of the US. Change market forces.

Change the economy. Change what it takes for a restaurant to succeed. End the

American tragedy of rampant obesity.

Wow! What a breakthrough diet plan: EAT LESS!

RDMMD

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature

database 3471 (20080925) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as

Lord.

Hosea 2:20, NLT

[Guest guest]

Very good article. It pretty much hits the nail on the head. I would suggest

however, that while most people in fact eat like dogs, they do so, not because

they don't know any better, but because they just love to eat. Millions of

dollars are spent on assuring that restaurant and processed foods taste just

right.

I bet I'm not the only one on this list that only eats half a serving, or eats 2

or 3 French fries, and throws the rest away. We don't eat out very much, but

I've been taking doggie bags (or boxes) home from restaurants for many years. I

like the sediment expressed in the article, and agree, but I think it's really

going to take much stronger intervention, such as marketing restrictions and/or

food additive regulations, to reverse the present stuff your face ideology

running rampant.

Dave

Writing and speaking for a Higher purpose. Visit my blog:

http://www.authordavidbond.blogspot.com/

Medscape Obesity

Here is an article written for Medscape by my brother, a very sensible doctor.

I think wc can all gain from this, or shall I say lose?--Vicki

The obesity problem in the US is largely cultural. Our culture has been

constructed upon a platform of the economy. The economy is a manifestation of

market forces. Market forces reflect the psychology of the population. The

psychology of the US population is one of " more is better " and " more for less is

best " . The portions we eat reflect this fundamental psychology of US citizens.

Market forces have forced restaurants, fast food and otherwise, to serve large

portions or go out of business. Add to this the cheap, high caloric high

fructose corn syrup, from US subsidized corn crops, found in so many over the

counter foods, and it is easy to see why much of the population is obese.

But, this could all be overcome if we, collectively and as individuals, were

intelligent enough to only eat what we need to be healthy. The unfortunate

truth, however, is that most people eat whatever is in front of them. In other

words, most people are about as discriminating about how much they eat as the

average Labrador Retriever. Most dogs will eat everything that is put in front

of them. Unfortunately, this is true of people as well. How many people go to a

restaurant and eat half the steak, or half the sandwich? How many Mc's

customers eat half the burger and throw out the other half, or have just a few

of the fries and throw out the rest? The answer: zero, or very nearly so. As a

people, despite our supposedly lofty ideals, we eat like ignorant animals. Thank

God we have to at least pay for food, or we'd be even fatter than we are now.

This is not intended to be an indictment of the average American and their

foolishness. Rather, it is a simple, realistic assessment of the current

problem, necessary to allow appropriate action to be taken. What then is the

appropriate action: Portions. American's are conscious of what they eat, how

much fat or carbs their food has, but has become largely oblivious to the

portions of food they blithely inhale. Low fat diets, Atkins diet, high protein

diet, low carb diets, all work to some extent simply because they make us stop

and think about what we are eating before we eat. You could just as easily have

a " Color Diet " , which limits how much red and white food you eat.

Americans need to start eating smaller portions. Eat half the sandwich and

stop. Eat half the cookie. Learn that throwing out the other half is not a bad

thing to do; it is a good thing. Split the burgers in half and let people share

them. Split the hotdog. Split the steak. Why let the amount you eat be

determined purely by market forces and the psychology of the masses. Try two

tablespoons of ice cream, then stop and think how you feel. Do not feel any need

to finish your plate. Stop each meal and reflect: Am I satisfied? Would I be OK

if I just stopped eating now? This is where we fail. We eat like dogs. We eat

everything put in front of us. Add to this the fact that we plan our eating not

around when we are hungry, but around what time it is. We eat lunch and dinner

because it is lunch or dinner time.

In summary: stop and think about when you eat and how much you eat. Take pride

in eating small, regular meals. Be proud that you can actually eat half a

cookie. If you are not hungry, don't sit down and gorge yourself just because

everyone else in the family/company/restaurant is doing that. Have a glass of

water, maybe a salad, and enjoy the conversation. Set an example for others.

Change the psychology of those around you, and of the US. Change market forces.

Change the economy. Change what it takes for a restaurant to succeed. End the

American tragedy of rampant obesity.

Wow! What a breakthrough diet plan: EAT LESS!

RDMMD

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature

database 3471 (20080925) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as

Lord.

Hosea 2:20, NLT

[Guest guest]

I hope the pc police does not get on this. I would hate for my friend to be

arrested due to eating one french fry over the limit.

Medscape Obesity

Here is an article written for Medscape by my brother, a very sensible doctor.

I think wc can all gain from this, or shall I say lose?--Vicki

The obesity problem in the US is largely cultural. Our culture has been

constructed upon a platform of the economy. The economy is a manifestation of

market forces. Market forces reflect the psychology of the population. The

psychology of the US population is one of " more is better " and " more for less is

best " . The portions we eat reflect this fundamental psychology of US citizens.

Market forces have forced restaurants, fast food and otherwise, to serve large

portions or go out of business. Add to this the cheap, high caloric high

fructose corn syrup, from US subsidized corn crops, found in so many over the

counter foods, and it is easy to see why much of the population is obese.

But, this could all be overcome if we, collectively and as individuals, were

intelligent enough to only eat what we need to be healthy. The unfortunate

truth, however, is that most people eat whatever is in front of them. In other

words, most people are about as discriminating about how much they eat as the

average Labrador Retriever. Most dogs will eat everything that is put in front

of them. Unfortunately, this is true of people as well. How many people go to a

restaurant and eat half the steak, or half the sandwich? How many Mc's

customers eat half the burger and throw out the other half, or have just a few

of the fries and throw out the rest? The answer: zero, or very nearly so. As a

people, despite our supposedly lofty ideals, we eat like ignorant animals. Thank

God we have to at least pay for food, or we'd be even fatter than we are now.

This is not intended to be an indictment of the average American and their

foolishness. Rather, it is a simple, realistic assessment of the current

problem, necessary to allow appropriate action to be taken. What then is the

appropriate action: Portions. American's are conscious of what they eat, how

much fat or carbs their food has, but has become largely oblivious to the

portions of food they blithely inhale. Low fat diets, Atkins diet, high protein

diet, low carb diets, all work to some extent simply because they make us stop

and think about what we are eating before we eat. You could just as easily have

a " Color Diet " , which limits how much red and white food you eat.

Americans need to start eating smaller portions. Eat half the sandwich and

stop. Eat half the cookie. Learn that throwing out the other half is not a bad

thing to do; it is a good thing. Split the burgers in half and let people share

them. Split the hotdog. Split the steak. Why let the amount you eat be

determined purely by market forces and the psychology of the masses. Try two

tablespoons of ice cream, then stop and think how you feel. Do not feel any need

to finish your plate. Stop each meal and reflect: Am I satisfied? Would I be OK

if I just stopped eating now? This is where we fail. We eat like dogs. We eat

everything put in front of us. Add to this the fact that we plan our eating not

around when we are hungry, but around what time it is. We eat lunch and dinner

because it is lunch or dinner time.

In summary: stop and think about when you eat and how much you eat. Take pride

in eating small, regular meals. Be proud that you can actually eat half a

cookie. If you are not hungry, don't sit down and gorge yourself just because

everyone else in the family/company/restaurant is doing that. Have a glass of

water, maybe a salad, and enjoy the conversation. Set an example for others.

Change the psychology of those around you, and of the US. Change market forces.

Change the economy. Change what it takes for a restaurant to succeed. End the

American tragedy of rampant obesity.

Wow! What a breakthrough diet plan: EAT LESS!

RDMMD

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature

database 3471 (20080925) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as

Lord.

Hosea 2:20, NLT

[Guest guest]

Yes, that's a very good article. I do happen to be one of those who counts a

small number of fries and throws out the rest rationalizing that I'd rather

not wear them.

Even though part of my eating habits have changed owing to getting older and

eating less, the key for me is still to drink a big glass of water 20

minutes before eating, which will make me feel full much quicker, thereby

eating less without feeling cheated.

This also satisfies the economy equation. I can make 2-3 meals out of what

used to be one, so I don't have to buy into trying to get " the best bang for

the buck " at the expense of getting fat.

A friend of mine used to go to a smorgisboard in town and would eat

literally 6 helpings! His rationality was " gotta get the most for my money. "

Yup, that's how the game has worked for years, only with him it was to

excess. And yes, he got really fat doing that. I was lucky not to fall

victim to that one, even though at the time my money wasn't much better than

his.

Glad there's more awareness of portion sizes.

Bill Powers

[Guest guest]

I agree. Self control and personal responsibility seems to be a large portion

of the problem with over eating. A closed mouth gathers no calories! I'd

rather govern my self than have someone else govern me. There are four in my

family, and many times when eating out we share an order. When eating a burger,

I'll remove the top part of the bun and discard it. We very seldom order frys.

We bring our own sodas, etc. and order only the burgers and/or sandwiches.

Danny

Medscape Obesity

Here is an article written for Medscape by my brother, a very sensible doctor. I

think wc can all gain from this, or shall I say lose?--Vicki

The obesity problem in the US is largely cultural. Our culture has been

constructed upon a platform of the economy. The economy is a manifestation of

market forces. Market forces reflect the psychology of the population. The

psychology of the US population is one of " more is better " and " more for less is

best " . The portions we eat reflect this fundamental psychology of US citizens.

Market forces have forced restaurants, fast food and otherwise, to serve large

portions or go out of business. Add to this the cheap, high caloric high

fructose corn syrup, from US subsidized corn crops, found in so many over the

counter foods, and it is easy to see why much of the population is obese.

But, this could all be overcome if we, collectively and as individuals, were

intelligent enough to only eat what we need to be healthy. The unfortunate

truth, however, is that most people eat whatever is in front of them. In other

words, most people are about as discriminating about how much they eat as the

average Labrador Retriever. Most dogs will eat everything that is put in front

of them. Unfortunately, this is true of people as well. How many people go to a

restaurant and eat half the steak, or half the sandwich? How many Mc's

customers eat half the burger and throw out the other half, or have just a few

of the fries and throw out the rest? The answer: zero, or very nearly so. As a

people, despite our supposedly lofty ideals, we eat like ignorant animals. Thank

God we have to at least pay for food, or we'd be even fatter than we are now.

This is not intended to be an indictment of the average American and their

foolishness. Rather, it is a simple, realistic assessment of the current

problem, necessary to allow appropriate action to be taken. What then is the

appropriate action: Portions. American's are conscious of what they eat, how

much fat or carbs their food has, but has become largely oblivious to the

portions of food they blithely inhale. Low fat diets, Atkins diet, high protein

diet, low carb diets, all work to some extent simply because they make us stop

and think about what we are eating before we eat. You could just as easily have

a " Color Diet " , which limits how much red and white food you eat.

Americans need to start eating smaller portions. Eat half the sandwich and stop.

Eat half the cookie. Learn that throwing out the other half is not a bad thing

to do; it is a good thing. Split the burgers in half and let people share them.

Split the hotdog. Split the steak. Why let the amount you eat be determined

purely by market forces and the psychology of the masses. Try two tablespoons of

ice cream, then stop and think how you feel. Do not feel any need to finish your

plate. Stop each meal and reflect: Am I satisfied? Would I be OK if I just

stopped eating now? This is where we fail. We eat like dogs. We eat everything

put in front of us. Add to this the fact that we plan our eating not around when

we are hungry, but around what time it is. We eat lunch and dinner because it is

lunch or dinner time.

In summary: stop and think about when you eat and how much you eat. Take pride

in eating small, regular meals. Be proud that you can actually eat half a

cookie. If you are not hungry, don't sit down and gorge yourself just because

everyone else in the family/company/restaurant is doing that. Have a glass of

water, maybe a salad, and enjoy the conversation. Set an example for others.

Change the psychology of those around you, and of the US. Change market forces.

Change the economy. Change what it takes for a restaurant to succeed. End the

American tragedy of rampant obesity.

Wow! What a breakthrough diet plan: EAT LESS!

RDMMD

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature

database 3471 (20080925) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as

Lord.

Hosea 2:20, NLT

[Guest guest]

The article was good, but there is one thing that needs to be said

here. I don't think that the government should regulate what I eat. I,

yes I, should decide what I want to eat. Let's take the following

scenario. I happen to live from paycheck to paycheck, and I'm blessed

if I go out once a month. Do you really think that during that one time

out, I'm going to eat half a hamburger, and just a few fries. NO, NO,

NO,! I'm gona eat the whole durn thing! See, I can just picture this.

I can just see myself going on this once a month visit to my favorite

restaurant, and hearing something like this. " May I help you sir?

" I'd like the fish and chips please. "

" I " m sorry, sir, but we only now sell baked fish, and baked potatoes,

because of government regulations.

I hear of people sharing food. This is simply a way of bilking

restaurants out of profits. Somebody's getting a free meal. Believe me,

if that sort of nonsense went on in my restaurant, I'd make sure that

both parties paid for the food that was shared.

I don't take doggie bags home, because reheated food just don't do it

folks. I say leave the restaurants alone. Let us, as the consumers

regulate our diets, not the government!

I also believe there's such a thing as overdoing it. I know of a lady

who counts out eighteen french fries for each member of the family. If

she tried that on me, I'd say " give me the damn pan! Come on let us not

be ridiculous! What I'm saying is, let's be realistic. We're all going

to die of something anyway. Shit, let's die with smiles on our faces.

--

Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network. Visit

www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.

[Guest guest]

Wally,

I can understand your sentiment as to not wanting government regulation

controlling what you eat. However, as for sharing food, it's not bilking the

restaurant at all, since it's the amount of food being paid for, not the

number of people eating that set amount, that determines the food price. For

example, if I order a half-pound hamburger, I can decide to eat half of it,

which would be a quarter pound, then take the other half home, or I can

split that burger with someone else, be it my wife or a friend, whoever. In

either case, the restaurant sold me a half pound burger, and then it's up to

me what I do with it. It would make little sense to me to say " oh, I'm

sorry, we both need to order half pound burgers so we won't be cheating the

restaurant, even though we both know that our stomachs are only intended to

take in a quarter pound of food per meal. " That's ludicrous, it isn't going

to happen.

The woman in your example that counts out 18 French fries per person is

doing each person a genuine favor. We as a people simply eat way too much,

we eat whatever is in front of us, and that especially includes comfort

foods like French fries. If we eat more than we need, we wind up wearing

them around our waist. That would be doing us a favor, how?

No, I don't think government intervention is good, although frankly, in its

absence we're becoming a very fat and out of control society because the

marketplace has been controlled by Wall Street, not by people who need to

start eating better to live healthier. In this country, we have the highest

standard of living, yet we also have the fastest rate of obesity because of

the " more is better " concept, brought on by competition for dollars from our

wallets.

If it played out the way I'd like to see things run, sure I would like no

government intervention, and the public would all be well educated on

nutrition, so much so that we would reverse the trend toward obesity. Right

now, I don't see that happening.

I've seen too many people literally grow up on fast foods and in almost all

cases, they've turned out to being overweight. I knew one family where the

mother, a coupon queen, had coupons for fast foods every day of the week in

place of a home cooked meal, " because it's cheaper. " She raised her kids on

Mc's and the like, then wondered why they all had weight problems and

suffered various other maladies of malnourishment. An extreme case, but yet,

a good example of how the largely unregulated marketplace has impacted our

lives.

If you want to make sure you eat every last French fry on your once a month

outing, that's certainly your prerogative, but while you're maximizing your

pocketbook in that outing, you're simply wearing those fries for quite

awhile.

TETO.

Bill Powers

[Guest guest]

Wally,

I can understand your sentiment as to not wanting government regulation

controlling what you eat. However, as for sharing food, it's not bilking the

restaurant at all, since it's the amount of food being paid for, not the

number of people eating that set amount, that determines the food price. For

example, if I order a half-pound hamburger, I can decide to eat half of it,

which would be a quarter pound, then take the other half home, or I can

split that burger with someone else, be it my wife or a friend, whoever. In

either case, the restaurant sold me a half pound burger, and then it's up to

me what I do with it. It would make little sense to me to say " oh, I'm

sorry, we both need to order half pound burgers so we won't be cheating the

restaurant, even though we both know that our stomachs are only intended to

take in a quarter pound of food per meal. " That's ludicrous, it isn't going

to happen.

The woman in your example that counts out 18 French fries per person is

doing each person a genuine favor. We as a people simply eat way too much,

we eat whatever is in front of us, and that especially includes comfort

foods like French fries. If we eat more than we need, we wind up wearing

them around our waist. That would be doing us a favor, how?

No, I don't think government intervention is good, although frankly, in its

absence we're becoming a very fat and out of control society because the

marketplace has been controlled by Wall Street, not by people who need to

start eating better to live healthier. In this country, we have the highest

standard of living, yet we also have the fastest rate of obesity because of

the " more is better " concept, brought on by competition for dollars from our

wallets.

If it played out the way I'd like to see things run, sure I would like no

government intervention, and the public would all be well educated on

nutrition, so much so that we would reverse the trend toward obesity. Right

now, I don't see that happening.

I've seen too many people literally grow up on fast foods and in almost all

cases, they've turned out to being overweight. I knew one family where the

mother, a coupon queen, had coupons for fast foods every day of the week in

place of a home cooked meal, " because it's cheaper. " She raised her kids on

Mc's and the like, then wondered why they all had weight problems and

suffered various other maladies of malnourishment. An extreme case, but yet,

a good example of how the largely unregulated marketplace has impacted our

lives.

If you want to make sure you eat every last French fry on your once a month

outing, that's certainly your prerogative, but while you're maximizing your

pocketbook in that outing, you're simply wearing those fries for quite

awhile.

TETO.

Bill Powers

[Guest guest]

My compliments to your brother on an excellent article very nicely written!

He had half an excellent idea there. Getting us to stop to think about what

we eat. How the heck to do that for more than we can stand a fad diet.

But, he really should write the color diet. Maybe even call it the American

Colors Diet. Only eat red food in the morning, white in the afternoon, and

blue at night. As he said, if we just are forced to stop to think about

what we eat, no matter what it is, we will eat less.

I don't know if it is my true American thinking or Dutch heritage, but I

never toss food from my plate. I very very seldom take second helpings and

I don't take large portions, but even when I know I am full, I would tell

you I had eaten enough, I just cannot " waste " . I guess I would rather than

it go to waste it should go to my waist... An interesting side note to this

is I grew up never having to be a member of the clean plate club. We did

have to take one bite of everything so we could really say we did not like

it (and I bet more times than not we took a second bite on our own because

we found it really was good). On the other hand, my wife did have to sit at

the table until every morsel was cleaned off the plate. They did get the

speeches about the starving children in who knows where. To this day and

with nearly every meal she leaves at least one bite of food on her plate or

one spoon in a serving dish. It just drives me nuts! I don't think her

behavior is any more deliberate than mine, either.

Thank your brother for us again, Vicki. I will be his first patient on the

color diet. Heck, I'll try anything three times, and probably will finish

it, too.

SS

[Guest guest]

My compliments to your brother on an excellent article very nicely written!

He had half an excellent idea there. Getting us to stop to think about what

we eat. How the heck to do that for more than we can stand a fad diet.

But, he really should write the color diet. Maybe even call it the American

Colors Diet. Only eat red food in the morning, white in the afternoon, and

blue at night. As he said, if we just are forced to stop to think about

what we eat, no matter what it is, we will eat less.

I don't know if it is my true American thinking or Dutch heritage, but I

never toss food from my plate. I very very seldom take second helpings and

I don't take large portions, but even when I know I am full, I would tell

you I had eaten enough, I just cannot " waste " . I guess I would rather than

it go to waste it should go to my waist... An interesting side note to this

is I grew up never having to be a member of the clean plate club. We did

have to take one bite of everything so we could really say we did not like

it (and I bet more times than not we took a second bite on our own because

we found it really was good). On the other hand, my wife did have to sit at

the table until every morsel was cleaned off the plate. They did get the

speeches about the starving children in who knows where. To this day and

with nearly every meal she leaves at least one bite of food on her plate or

one spoon in a serving dish. It just drives me nuts! I don't think her

behavior is any more deliberate than mine, either.

Thank your brother for us again, Vicki. I will be his first patient on the

color diet. Heck, I'll try anything three times, and probably will finish

it, too.

SS

[Guest guest]

Dave, I bet you are in the minority of those who just eat a few of these or

half of that, though. And, I wonder the number of people who do take

leftovers home with them, how many of those get eaten as another meal, get

eaten soon after they arrive home or later than night for snack (meal size

portion as a snack) or simply get tossed.

This is just from memory so certainly not scientific, but in my years I have

worked in restaurants from fast food to buffet to formal. I would say that

fast food had the least amount of food left on trays, formal, sit-down

restaurants next, and the most food left on dishes by far was at buffet,

self-service places. I think that says a lot about how we see something,

but I'm not sure if it talks to how we eat or just greed or something else.

[Guest guest]

Dave, I bet you are in the minority of those who just eat a few of these or

half of that, though. And, I wonder the number of people who do take

leftovers home with them, how many of those get eaten as another meal, get

eaten soon after they arrive home or later than night for snack (meal size

portion as a snack) or simply get tossed.

This is just from memory so certainly not scientific, but in my years I have

worked in restaurants from fast food to buffet to formal. I would say that

fast food had the least amount of food left on trays, formal, sit-down

restaurants next, and the most food left on dishes by far was at buffet,

self-service places. I think that says a lot about how we see something,

but I'm not sure if it talks to how we eat or just greed or something else.

[Guest guest]

Danny, that is a very good tip about having a burger, but taking off the top

bun. That actually was one of the first things I came up with for myself

when I was diagnosed and I was so proud to realize with a little thought I

didn't have to eat so differently or be so different from everyone else.

Imagine, it took me 50 years, but I finally would have made my grandmother

proud. I finally am eating a burger with knife and fork, something we never

would do and teased her mercilessly for doing. I haven't gotten to the

point of eating a hotdog with a knife and fork yet; that is just too weird,

Grammy.

ESS

[Guest guest]

Wally, that same argument is applied to wearing seatbelts or prostitution,

etc. You pay for your car or your meal, but usually, eventually we,

society, pay for the ugly results when the results are ugly. We scrape your

brains off the road and pay for you to be kept a vegetable for the next 20

years or we pay for your bypass surgery and diabetes treatment. There are

very few of us who really pay on our own for what we get. Even fewer of us

who are vegetables or heart disease/diabetes patients are paying for our own

care.

[Guest guest]

OH, I wasn't referring to fast food. I probably eat fast food 2 times a year.

Seriously. I don't order French fries, although I'll eat a couple of my son's

or wife's. I preach the message, but they're not quite on board yet. Actually,

we just don't do fast food often enough to worry too much one way or the other

about it.

anyway, the doggy box thing refers to a fine restaurant. And usually to the

meat portion. I might eat half of the baked potato, but won't bother taking the

other half home. I've been eating left-overs for so long, a piece of steak or

whatever from a fine restaurant is a wonderful thing to enjoy the second time

around! Finally, all you can eat smorgasbords or buffets are also something I

never do. My wife hates them because she has to get mine and hers. The main

thing is, I don't get my money's worth. I just don't over eat. Its throwing

away money to go to one of them.

Dave

Writing and speaking for a Higher purpose. Visit my blog:

http://www.authordavidbond.blogspot.com/

Medscape Obesity

Dave, I bet you are in the minority of those who just eat a few of these or

half of that, though. And, I wonder the number of people who do take

leftovers home with them, how many of those get eaten as another meal, get

eaten soon after they arrive home or later than night for snack (meal size

portion as a snack) or simply get tossed.

This is just from memory so certainly not scientific, but in my years I have

worked in restaurants from fast food to buffet to formal. I would say that

fast food had the least amount of food left on trays, formal, sit-down

restaurants next, and the most food left on dishes by far was at buffet,

self-service places. I think that says a lot about how we see something,

but I'm not sure if it talks to how we eat or just greed or something else.

[Guest guest]

Don't worry,

My wife's nephew, who is in the American army, and lives in California, who I

met for the very first time this year when we visited Chicago. He couldn't get

used to me using the fork as he would call it, " Upside Down " , with the prongs of

the fork dug into the food to hold it whilst cutting it with the knife.

Of corse, this is the normal way the British people eat their meals. I can't

seem to get used to eating my food with the fork like a spoon.

Rowe

Medscape Obesity

Danny, that is a very good tip about having a burger, but taking off the top

bun. That actually was one of the first things I came up with for myself

when I was diagnosed and I was so proud to realize with a little thought I

didn't have to eat so differently or be so different from everyone else.

Imagine, it took me 50 years, but I finally would have made my grandmother

proud. I finally am eating a burger with knife and fork, something we never

would do and teased her mercilessly for doing. I haven't gotten to the

point of eating a hotdog with a knife and fork yet; that is just too weird,

Grammy.

ESS

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com

Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.7.3/1693 - Release Date: 26/09/2008

07:35

[Guest guest]

,

Oh, this is too funny.

About 30 years ago I was privy to very much the same conversation by two

young girls who had visited Europe over their summer vacation from college.

They were saying that their parents nearly had a stroke when the girls cut

and ate their meat in the European fashion and the girls replied that this

was the *Continental* fashion. (LOL)

We here in the United States seem to take pleasure in fumbling endlessly

with our table service while eating.

To cut and eat meat one *must* first put the fork in the left hand tines

down to secure the meat. Using the knife in the right hand one then proceeds

to cut, hack or saw the meat. What one actually does depends on the

toughness of said meat.

Next, (oh yes, only cut one bite at a time) one then puts the knife on the

opposite edge of the plate away from you, cutting edge of the knife *must*

face you Now, take your fork with the cut meat still attached, and transfer

the inpliment to your right hand with the tines facing upward. You are now

ready to enjoy the worn out piece of meat which you just cut.

For additional bites just repeat these simple steps. (ROFL)

Cy, The (Colonist) Anasazi.

_____

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of adrian.rowe

Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 8:08 AM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Re: Subject: Medscape Obesity

Don't worry,

My wife's nephew, who is in the American army, and lives in California, who

I met for the very first time this year when we visited Chicago. He couldn't

get used to me using the fork as he would call it, " Upside Down " , with the

prongs of the fork dug into the food to hold it whilst cutting it with the

knife.

Of corse, this is the normal way the British people eat their meals. I can't

seem to get used to eating my food with the fork like a spoon.

Rowe

Medscape Obesity

Danny, that is a very good tip about having a burger, but taking off the top

bun. That actually was one of the first things I came up with for myself

when I was diagnosed and I was so proud to realize with a little thought I

didn't have to eat so differently or be so different from everyone else.

Imagine, it took me 50 years, but I finally would have made my grandmother

proud. I finally am eating a burger with knife and fork, something we never

would do and teased her mercilessly for doing. I haven't gotten to the

point of eating a hotdog with a knife and fork yet; that is just too weird,

Grammy.

ESS

----------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. <http://www.avg.com> com

Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.7.3/1693 - Release Date: 26/09/2008

07:35

[Guest guest]

,

Oh, this is too funny.

About 30 years ago I was privy to very much the same conversation by two

young girls who had visited Europe over their summer vacation from college.

They were saying that their parents nearly had a stroke when the girls cut

and ate their meat in the European fashion and the girls replied that this

was the *Continental* fashion. (LOL)

We here in the United States seem to take pleasure in fumbling endlessly

with our table service while eating.

To cut and eat meat one *must* first put the fork in the left hand tines

down to secure the meat. Using the knife in the right hand one then proceeds

to cut, hack or saw the meat. What one actually does depends on the

toughness of said meat.

Next, (oh yes, only cut one bite at a time) one then puts the knife on the

opposite edge of the plate away from you, cutting edge of the knife *must*

face you Now, take your fork with the cut meat still attached, and transfer

the inpliment to your right hand with the tines facing upward. You are now

ready to enjoy the worn out piece of meat which you just cut.

For additional bites just repeat these simple steps. (ROFL)

Cy, The (Colonist) Anasazi.

_____

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of adrian.rowe

Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 8:08 AM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Re: Subject: Medscape Obesity

Don't worry,

My wife's nephew, who is in the American army, and lives in California, who

I met for the very first time this year when we visited Chicago. He couldn't

get used to me using the fork as he would call it, " Upside Down " , with the

prongs of the fork dug into the food to hold it whilst cutting it with the

knife.

Of corse, this is the normal way the British people eat their meals. I can't

seem to get used to eating my food with the fork like a spoon.

Rowe

Medscape Obesity

Danny, that is a very good tip about having a burger, but taking off the top

bun. That actually was one of the first things I came up with for myself

when I was diagnosed and I was so proud to realize with a little thought I

didn't have to eat so differently or be so different from everyone else.

Imagine, it took me 50 years, but I finally would have made my grandmother

proud. I finally am eating a burger with knife and fork, something we never

would do and teased her mercilessly for doing. I haven't gotten to the

point of eating a hotdog with a knife and fork yet; that is just too weird,

Grammy.

ESS

----------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. <http://www.avg.com> com

Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.7.3/1693 - Release Date: 26/09/2008

07:35

[Guest guest]

no, you can grill it outside and eat it on a stick. Hey, do they make

sugar-free marshmallows?

Vicki

today we are problem conscious, not power conscious.--Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Medscape Obesity

Danny, that is a very good tip about having a burger, but taking off the top

bun. That actually was one of the first things I came up with for myself

when I was diagnosed and I was so proud to realize with a little thought I

didn't have to eat so differently or be so different from everyone else.

Imagine, it took me 50 years, but I finally would have made my grandmother

proud. I finally am eating a burger with knife and fork, something we never

would do and teased her mercilessly for doing. I haven't gotten to the

point of eating a hotdog with a knife and fork yet; that is just too weird,

Grammy.

ESS

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature

database 3474 (20080926) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

no, you can grill it outside and eat it on a stick. Hey, do they make

sugar-free marshmallows?

Vicki

today we are problem conscious, not power conscious.--Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Medscape Obesity

Danny, that is a very good tip about having a burger, but taking off the top

bun. That actually was one of the first things I came up with for myself

when I was diagnosed and I was so proud to realize with a little thought I

didn't have to eat so differently or be so different from everyone else.

Imagine, it took me 50 years, but I finally would have made my grandmother

proud. I finally am eating a burger with knife and fork, something we never

would do and teased her mercilessly for doing. I haven't gotten to the

point of eating a hotdog with a knife and fork yet; that is just too weird,

Grammy.

ESS

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature

database 3474 (20080926) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

no, you can grill it outside and eat it on a stick. Hey, do they make

sugar-free marshmallows?

Vicki

today we are problem conscious, not power conscious.--Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Medscape Obesity

Danny, that is a very good tip about having a burger, but taking off the top

bun. That actually was one of the first things I came up with for myself

when I was diagnosed and I was so proud to realize with a little thought I

didn't have to eat so differently or be so different from everyone else.

Imagine, it took me 50 years, but I finally would have made my grandmother

proud. I finally am eating a burger with knife and fork, something we never

would do and teased her mercilessly for doing. I haven't gotten to the

point of eating a hotdog with a knife and fork yet; that is just too weird,

Grammy.

ESS

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature

database 3474 (20080926) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

Wow that really is great control, I'm not there yet but working on it. I am

afraid of doing buffets, and yes someone has to get mine too, and that presents

a problem, they get me too much and I have to sit there and start it down,

virtually. I have wondered how diabetics conquer this thing, I have gone once

and done so well till I had 3 sugar-free desserts. I guess not going is a great

sollution.

Vicki

today we are problem conscious, not power conscious.--Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Medscape Obesity

Dave, I bet you are in the minority of those who just eat a few of these or

half of that, though. And, I wonder the number of people who do take

leftovers home with them, how many of those get eaten as another meal, get

eaten soon after they arrive home or later than night for snack (meal size

portion as a snack) or simply get tossed.

This is just from memory so certainly not scientific, but in my years I have

worked in restaurants from fast food to buffet to formal. I would say that

fast food had the least amount of food left on trays, formal, sit-down

restaurants next, and the most food left on dishes by far was at buffet,

self-service places. I think that says a lot about how we see something,

but I'm not sure if it talks to how we eat or just greed or something else.

[Guest guest]

Wow that really is great control, I'm not there yet but working on it. I am

afraid of doing buffets, and yes someone has to get mine too, and that presents

a problem, they get me too much and I have to sit there and start it down,

virtually. I have wondered how diabetics conquer this thing, I have gone once

and done so well till I had 3 sugar-free desserts. I guess not going is a great

sollution.

Vicki

today we are problem conscious, not power conscious.--Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Medscape Obesity

Dave, I bet you are in the minority of those who just eat a few of these or

half of that, though. And, I wonder the number of people who do take

leftovers home with them, how many of those get eaten as another meal, get

eaten soon after they arrive home or later than night for snack (meal size

portion as a snack) or simply get tossed.

This is just from memory so certainly not scientific, but in my years I have

worked in restaurants from fast food to buffet to formal. I would say that

fast food had the least amount of food left on trays, formal, sit-down

restaurants next, and the most food left on dishes by far was at buffet,

self-service places. I think that says a lot about how we see something,

but I'm not sure if it talks to how we eat or just greed or something else.

[Guest guest]

Wow that really is great control, I'm not there yet but working on it. I am

afraid of doing buffets, and yes someone has to get mine too, and that presents

a problem, they get me too much and I have to sit there and start it down,

virtually. I have wondered how diabetics conquer this thing, I have gone once

and done so well till I had 3 sugar-free desserts. I guess not going is a great

sollution.

Vicki

today we are problem conscious, not power conscious.--Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Medscape Obesity

Dave, I bet you are in the minority of those who just eat a few of these or

half of that, though. And, I wonder the number of people who do take

leftovers home with them, how many of those get eaten as another meal, get

eaten soon after they arrive home or later than night for snack (meal size

portion as a snack) or simply get tossed.

This is just from memory so certainly not scientific, but in my years I have

worked in restaurants from fast food to buffet to formal. I would say that

fast food had the least amount of food left on trays, formal, sit-down

restaurants next, and the most food left on dishes by far was at buffet,

self-service places. I think that says a lot about how we see something,

but I'm not sure if it talks to how we eat or just greed or something else.