Welcome to the Nanny State

[zsdersw]

A bigmac is two food groups. Meat and grains.

It's also very much a representative of the fats group.

Now, limit your food groups and eat any of them to excess you'll be in trouble.

No argument there.

But a big mac is NOTHING but two food groups. Period. It's neither good nor bad. It's just food.

Well, I think for someone with high cholesterol (LDL), a sodium sensitivity, or IBS a Big Mac is very much "bad food".

First we demonized fats. Then we demonized carbs. Then HFCS. All the while, people kept getting fatter. Fad diet have come and gone, and people are fatter. Isolation diets have come and gone, and people are fatter.

Fats in general are not to be demonized. Certain fats are much worse than others, though. Trans-fats are worse for you than any other, and are largely found in highly processed foods designed for long shelf life. Saturated fat gets a bad rap, but it's at least natural and found in the basic foods we've been eating for generations.. and I'd rather have that than trans-fat.

What people have failed to realize all along it's a matter of moderation NOT isolation.

Of course, but moderation is not something Americans practice. They want to be able to eat an entire chocolate cake and not gain a pound. They want government services and programs for their locales (as evidenced by the popularity of their representatives when they bring home the bacon) but they don't want to pay for them and complain that government is too big. Push away with one hand, pull toward with the other. It doesn't work, but that won't stop Americans from doing it.

What people lack is moderation and self control. Period. Our environments used to FORCE moderation on us. Now we have complete access to whatever foods we what whenever we want them and have very little need for physical activity.

No food is "bad." Only excess is bad.

I suspect one day most Americans will be like those people on the ship in WALL-E...

 

[werepossum]

I don't support banning salt but I do support including nutritional values of meals on the menu so a person who is interested could make an informed decision when ordering a meal.

It's not often that you and I agree, but on this we agree. Making nutritional information available is a good thing, as not many people suspect that their cheese stick appetizer with ranch dressing has 3,000 calories.

 

[Amused]

It's also very much a representative of the fats group.



No argument there.



Well, I think for someone with high cholesterol (LDL), a sodium sensitivity, or IBS a Big Mac is very much "bad food".



Fats in general are not to be demonized. Certain fats are much worse than others, though. Trans-fats are worse for you than any other, and are largely found in highly processed foods designed for long shelf life. Saturated fat gets a bad rap, but it's at least natural and found in the basic foods we've been eating for generations.. and I'd rather have that than trans-fat.



Of course, but moderation is not something Americans practice. They want to be able to eat an entire chocolate cake and not gain a pound. They want government services and programs for their locales (as evidenced by the popularity of their representatives when they bring home the bacon) but they don't want to pay for them and complain that government is too big. Push away with one hand, pull toward with the other. It doesn't work, but that won't stop Americans from doing it.



I suspect one day most Americans will be like those people on the ship in WALL-E...

Actually, it is moderation, and not irrational fear of food types that we need to be practicing. We will continue to fail until we learn moderation.

And no, Wall-E is not the future. That movie was so wrong on so many levels in it's attempt to influence kids it wasn't even funny.

And here is the punchline: Trans fats were the food police's answer to the "danger" of saturated fats in the 1970s. It was the very people who are still trying to dictate what we eat today that pushed transfats on us in the 70s telling us it was "healthier."

As long as we demonize foods, corporations and anything OTHER than ourselves, the obesity problem will never go away. Obesity is the lack of moderation and self control. Period. It is a lifestyle issue and nobody else's fault.

 

[Amused]

Heh. How utterly lame, as if this isn't projection, assumption and innuendo rolled into one-



What freedoms do you speak of that are being lost? What Rights?

It's easy to rave on in non-specific terms, pander to fear and emotion. Get specific, if you can...

Limits on actions, bans and sin taxes designed to modify behavior. They have already started.

Too bad you probably support each and every one of them without even realizing how each one is another slip down the slope into authoritarianism "for your own good" and to limit the "cost to society."

All are proof that socialism can, and will only result in a loss of individual freedom.

And yes, by proclaiming I am partisan, you display your own partisanship. You must make me into a "them" so you and your "us" can fight me. The problem is, I disagree with both parties.

Were you and I having a discussion about the Religious Right and their (failed) attempts at religious authoritarianism, we'd be in agreement right now.

People are not as black and white as you seem to make them out to be.

 

[zsdersw]

Actually, it is moderation, and not irrational fear of food types that we need to be practicing. We will continue to fail until we learn moderation.

True. I also don't think a return to more natural and less processed foods is a bad thing either.

And no, Wall-E is not the future. That movie was so wrong on so many levels in it's attempt to influence kids it wasn't even funny.

Well, I meant it from more of a "lack of moderation" thing taken to the extreme conclusion; gluttons moved from bed to dinner to bed by machines and fed constantly.

And here is the punchline: Trans fats were the food police's answer to the "danger" of saturated fats in the 1970s. It was the very people who are still trying to dictate what we eat today that pushed transfats on us in the 70s telling us it was "healthier."

Also true. Mankind has been living and thriving for hundreds of years on things like eggs, bread, cheese, bacon, full-fat dairy, and red meat; all the things we're told are bad for us and making us fat. The more you stick with the basics, in moderation and balance, the healthier you will be.

As long as we demonize foods, corporations and anything OTHER than ourselves, the obesity problem will never go away. Obesity is the lack of moderation and self control. Period. It is a lifestyle issue and nobody else's fault.

For the vast majority of people, yes. There are a handful of people who are genetically pre-disposed for obesity. I'm not sure what currently available solution would work for them.