Can We Compare the American Diet to the European Diet?
One of my readers posed this question for a blog:
“I just got back from Greece and noticed the locals are passionate about their bread, rice pasta and potatoes. They have been eating these foods for over 5000 years. Your recommendations are that these foods be minimized. To be fair, many of the Greeks are obese. Your recommendations seem to go against that history – please help!”
For years I’ve always wondered why my clients go to Europe and lose weight. I thought it was due to all the walking and activity one does on a European vacation but over the last several years I changed my mind.
When I go to Europe I am able to eat bread, and more carbs than my body could ever handle at home in the United States. How can this be? The food supply in Europe is worlds apart from ours. Not only do they have fresher food but the food supply has fewer additives, preservatives and processing than the US. In addition, their animals are fed differently which affects how our bodies accept and process the meats, cheese, eggs, etc.
When genetically modified foods came out in the US, they were in Europe for a short time. However, when studies showing the dangers of GMO foods were released, Europe did away with GMO’s in ONE week!
Europeans shop for their food on the way home from work, and usually for only one or two days only which is why they have small refrigerators. Fresh unprocessed food is readily accepted and used by the body – causing less disease, weight issues and health concerns.
So in answer to the question our diet cannot be compared to the European diet. I believe many cases of food intolerances, carbohydrate sensitivity and insulin resistance are not only due to our genetics but our food supply. If our foods were fresh and less processed my recommendations might be much different.
Next time you travel to Europe think about the food you are served, look at food if you happen to find yourself in the grocery store. Notice how many fresh open air markets they have to pick up food on your travels. The US may be advanced in many ways but hopefully food is on the way back to its roots – real, fresh and whole without alterations.
November 30, -0001 @ 12:00 am
Very interesting post, thanks. Interestingly, when I lived in London for four years, my Brit friends would bring up the evil GMO topic and, at the time, i thought they were half-baked. But, heck, they were all skinny and did mostly eat fresh foods, real butter, real milk, etc. Makes sense.
June 14, 2010 @ 11:06 am
I always new that GMO foods were bad for us. I never thought about how differently they could affect our weight. I would love to buy my food daily. Now with being home with my kids and the famer’s markets starting up, maybe I can. My goal is to start eating more whole foods, fresh and unprocessed that I have made myself.
June 15, 2010 @ 12:48 am
Very interesting post, thanks. Interestingly, when I lived in London for four years, my Brit friends would bring up the evil GMO topic and, at the time, i thought they were half-baked. But, heck, they were all skinny and did mostly eat fresh foods, real butter, real milk, etc. Makes sense.