Why do Americans need such excess?

Why do Americans need such excess? (Full Version)

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lusciouslips19 -> Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 11:03:14 AM)
A post on the Heart Attack Grill and their Quad bypass burger with 2 pounds of beef and full fat cheddar got me wondering.I wanted to ask questions seperately. I do think about calories and reading the labels can sometimes deter me. I know each slice of cheddar is 11 grams of fat. I know that the kid size cheeseburger at Macdonalds is 12 grams of fat and so is the small fry. i try. Sometimes I say to hell with it. Why are Americans like this? Why do restaurants give huge plates of food when they could probably make more money with less? Why do the french eat rich foods and are not fat? What do you think it is abut the American Mentality that makes us have such an obesity epidemic? Are there problems in other parts of europe and around the world? I know Japan with its high fish protien diet has lower heart incidence.

FullCircle -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 11:15:25 AM)
It probably has something to do with the constitution or some numbered amendment or other i.e. "The right to Grill Burgers" I'm not an expert on the US constitution but it seems to crop up now and again in these life choice debates.

windchymes -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 11:19:41 AM)
I totally agree with you. Meal sizes are WAY out of line, and I'm tired of being brainwashed into thinking that $25.00 is a reasonable price for a dinner that I'd really rather pay $10.00 for, and have portion sizes 1/3 the size! Many times, I get the Happy Meal or Mighty Kids meal from the fast food places, and, other than the drink being a little small, because I like to nurse on it for a time, the sandwich and tiny fries sizes are perfect! I'm comfortably full and satisfied. But no, they push those Super-sizes on us, you know how it is with french fries....if I can smell 'em, I'll be eating 'em! A lot of places have "early bird" menus, which are great, and so reasonably-priced, but you're forced into getting to the restaurant before 6:00. Seems kind of backwards, since, if you're eating later, you'd want smaller portions before bed.

susie -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 11:35:21 AM)
One thing that always shocked me when I was there was the amount of wasted food in places, particularly the buffets in Vegas. The amount of times I saw people go back to the buffet and come back with a plate full, eat a couple of forkfuls and finish. I also saw a lot of people asking for refills of their coke or whatever, take a couple of sips and get up and leave. Not sure why people would do that.

camille65 -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 11:38:50 AM)
In the video it was suggested that it is a reaction to the health hype, like cities and states trying to ban trans fats etc. It is a novelty resturaunt (argh I simply cannot spell that word). It isn't meant to be something that you eat at daily. Amusing and light hearted (yes that is a pun about clogging arteries) novelty twist type thing. Probably popular because people are a bit tired of the tight and terrifying economy and want to splurge.

NorthernGent -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 11:45:10 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 Why do the french eat rich foods and are not fat? What do you think it is abut the American Mentality that makes us have such an obesity epidemic? I have a theory....and it's fantastic as per usual.... We, the English, have an obesity problem, too. Brace yourself.... The French are far too intellectual to eat too much food. They want to pontificate (they will kill you for an idea, too.....there's loads of 'em buried in Paris in some Rue De Commune? thing...and they're proud of it) and drink coffee. That's their tradition: ideas, violence associated with ideas, militant politics etc. I mean, in the hundreds of years that we've had a parlimentary democracy, they've had 3 revolutions. In England, intellectualism is viewed with suspicion; in France, it is held in high regard. The point is this: The French have big ideas, they're fought countless wars with their neighbours, suffered invasions, are partial to extreme politics, and tend to operate far above the level of gorging on food (they've had far greater concerns over the years). The English, on the other hand, are a more peaceful, docile, less miltant, more orderly, more stable (haven't been invaded since 1066) people. Basically, life has been so certain and constant for the English over the centuries, that our main concern is whether or not the fridge is full with food and beer. It's cultural. Stable and content societies gorge themselves (in the same way man and wife become content, then portly and grow old together as happy as pigs in shit).

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 11:46:25 AM)
I appreciate your answers and the constitution thing is funny. I am interested in finding out what it is about the menaiy that pushes Americans to these excesses? Do you think its a genetic component left from survival moded genetic in humans that makes us want to store fat for starvation times in which no longer serve us? Is it a lvel of entitlemant? Some type of expectation of all things good and we deserve it? What lies beyond the surface?

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 11:49:48 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NorthernGent quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 Why do the french eat rich foods and are not fat? What do you think it is abut the American Mentality that makes us have such an obesity epidemic? I have a theory....and it's fantastic as per usual.... We, the English, have an obesity problem, too. Brace yourself.... The French are far too intellectual to eat too much food. They want to pontificate (they will kill you for an idea, too.....there's loads of 'em buried in Paris in some Rue De Commune? thing...and they're proud of it) and drink coffee. That's their tradition: ideas, violence associated with ideas, militant politics etc. I mean, in the hundreds of years that we've had a parlimentary democracy, they've had 3 revolutions. In England, intellectualism is viewed with suspicion; in France, it is held in high regard. The point is this: The French have big ideas, they're fought countless wars with their neighbours, suffered invasions, are partial to extreme politics, and tend to operate far above the level of gorging on food (they've had far greater concerns over the years). The English, on the other hand, are a more peaceful, docile, less miltant, more orderly, more stable (haven't been invaded since 1066) people. Basically, life has been so certain and constant for the English over the centuries, that our main concern is whether or not the fridge is full with food and beer. It's cultural. Stable and content societies gorge themselves (in the same way man and wife become content, then portly and grow old together as happy as pigs in shit). I appreciate you ideas. They are as usual a great and differing view of how you see the world. SO fat and happy? You make a connction between peacfulness and docileness. But are Americans peaceful and does fat really connet with happy and content or just complacency and inability to change?

NorthernGent -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:12:51 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 SO fat and happy? You make a connction between peacfulness and docileness. But are Americans peaceful and does fat really connet with happy and content or just complacency and inability to change? The English dream is to finish work, go home, lock the door, close the curtains, and curl up on the couch watching a film with a partner while eating and drinking something or other. This is far more attractive to us than being sat in a cafe while drinking coffee and talking politics and big ideas. Perhaps something to do with modest ambitions, a suspicion of intellectualism and a down-to-earth approach to life. Perhaps you're very different, but over here we tend to appreciate 'ordinary' people, which is why our soap operas are full of ordinary people - and what's more ordinary than eating and not being overly concerned with putting on a few pounds?

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:14:24 PM)
I don't really think you can say one definitive answer for all americans, because it will be personal and different for each one. I can tell you why I like to eat in excess, but Daddies reasons will be different, and so will my moms. I like to eat in excess, and all that unhealthy stuff because it tastes good and I enjoy eating it, and at the time of eating I don't care about how bad it is for you. We eat out very very rarely, and when I do eat out, I payed for the food and by god I am going to eat well, and eat what I want regardless of what any one thinks or says. And that's that. quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 Why are Americans like this?

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:23:35 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss I don't really think you can say one definitive answer for all americans, because it will be personal and different for each one. I can tell you why I like to eat in excess, but Daddies reasons will be different, and so will my moms. I like to eat in excess, and all that unhealthy stuff because it tastes good and I enjoy eating it, and at the time of eating I don't care about how bad it is for you. We eat out very very rarely, and when I do eat out, I payed for the food and by god I am going to eat well, and eat what I want regardless of what any one thinks or says. And that's that. quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 Why are Americans like this? I just feel something else has to be driving it. Is it something that causes us to crave and gorge on all things good? At one time, the plate we ate would have served an entire family. Plus if it was paid for, it doesnt mean the plate needs to be thrown away. It could be brought home to be eaten at a later time.

aravain -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:24:47 PM)
~FR~ I think that the main difference is that the French eat very filling food (and hence need to eat less) while we eat (a lot more of) unfilling food. Maybe it's me, but I know how much I need to eat in a day, and it's not even ONE of those burgers from that thread [:'(] If I get fast food I'll super-size... but it'll likely be my main meal for the day, and I do it mainly for the drink. My body will make itself sick if I eat too much more than that in a day :\| I've gotten to the point where I don't even eat till I'm full, anymore. I'll eat as much as I need for an entire day's nutrition, usually in two meals (one that takes up about 75% of the day, and another that takes 25%).

YourhandMyAss -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:32:45 PM)
I can't really say if there's a reasons, other than the fact we were raised to eat in excess. This family always had huge meals growing up. I guess it was the motto if you can afford to eat big meals why not? Sometimes If I am full I will bring it home, but most times I can eat an entire meal, plus appetizers* sometimes* plus 5 or 6 ice teas before I feel the need to call it quits. And that's just because over the years I have over eaten my way into a stretched out belly cavity I guess. However I am changing my thinking ways, and eating less and eating less of the shitty for you things. So I don't do that to much or any more. quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 quote: ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss I don't really think you can say one definitive answer for all americans, because it will be personal and different for each one. I can tell you why I like to eat in excess, but Daddies reasons will be different, and so will my moms. I like to eat in excess, and all that unhealthy stuff because it tastes good and I enjoy eating it, and at the time of eating I don't care about how bad it is for you. We eat out very very rarely, and when I do eat out, I payed for the food and by god I am going to eat well, and eat what I want regardless of what any one thinks or says. And that's that. quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 Why are Americans like this? I just feel something else has to be driving it. Is it something that causes us to crave and gorge on all things good? At one time, the plate we ate would have served an entire family. Plus if it was paid for, it doesnt mean the plate needs to be thrown away. It could be brought home to be eaten at a later time.

Vendaval -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:39:02 PM)
Hello lushy, I commonly either split a meal with somebody else or take half home for left overs. The huge portion sizes at many restaurants are done deliverately to attract return customers. I really cannot say why people will gorge themselves into such excess as you mention. quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 I just feel something else has to be driving it. Is it something that causes us to crave and gorge on all things good? At one time, the plate we ate would have served an entire family. Plus if it was paid for, it doesnt mean the plate needs to be thrown away. It could be brought home to be eaten at a later time.

FullCircle -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:39:34 PM)
A meal is the traditional measure of your power, the bigger the banquet the more powerful the people eating it. This has been the common theme throughout history. It's a statement of power and wealth to lay out a good spread. "Blessed be Your name in the land that plentiful, Where Your streams of abundance flow"

aravain -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:41:40 PM)
most restaurants around here have taken to charging extra if people share a plate, now...

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:43:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: aravain ~FR~ I think that the main difference is that the French eat very filling food (and hence need to eat less) while we eat (a lot more of) unfilling food. Maybe it's me, but I know how much I need to eat in a day, and it's not even ONE of those burgers from that thread [:'(] If I get fast food I'll super-size... but it'll likely be my main meal for the day, and I do it mainly for the drink. My body will make itself sick if I eat too much more than that in a day :\| I've gotten to the point where I don't even eat till I'm full, anymore. I'll eat as much as I need for an entire day's nutrition, usually in two meals (one that takes up about 75% of the day, and another that takes 25%). Back in 2005 I had lost a considerable amount of weight. Over the labor day weekend I was very active with a varity of activities. i was very aware of what I was putting in my body. Not so much by type but by anount. I had the fortune of going to a gourmet restaurant for a prefix meal. I was trying very hard to taste things and not over eat. There were many courses including desert served over a lingering period of time. By the end i was completly satisfied with rich and well prepared food. the meal was served rather early as it was a gourmet food group and imagine they had to be open. But I was finished by 7. Would you know, the next morning I had lost 2 pounds.

kolekorin -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:44:44 PM)
Excess is a point of view. You may view a billionaire with a jet as spending excessive amounts of money. Buddah may see your 10 year old honda just as decadant.

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:49:50 PM)
Its the poor who tend to be larger. A good gourmet meal is expensive, where as a fast food meal is cheap. I think perhaps poverty breeds stress and food pacifies and relaxes. Its a drug and the vendors are the drug pushers.

FullCircle -> RE: Why do Americans need such excess? (3/1/2009 12:50:03 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kolekorin Excess is a point of view. You may view a billionaire with a jet as spending excessive amounts of money. Buddah may see your 10 year old honda just as decadant. Excess is going beyond fitness for purpose. The Buddha wouldn't say that about my Honda if he realised the alternative was a 25 mile walk to work and getting there just in time to go home again.

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