I think environment has a really big part to play. (begin rant)
I now work in a state that is number two I think, in overall obesity rates (WV). I am from a state that has a much lower rate (CA). The food choices here in Appalachia are vastly different than they are back home.
Now, I was fat back home as well. But I had more CHOICES. (I just made really bad ones) For instance, my normal supermarkets where I lived had produce sections that took up a full quarter (at least!) of the store. (I went home earlier in the year, before I began LCing, and noticed then, so its not a bias). The dairy and butcher were very well stocked, and whole foods in general are much more prevalent. Out here, processed foods and junk take up a great deal more real estate. I had no idea potato chips had so many flavors. There are cans of things I still can't really get my head around. Even the whole foods are odd to me. Who knew you could eat so many parts of a pig, and why is it pickled/pre-breaded/in a special container? Corn and potatoes are kings. I know people here who have never tasted fresh asparagus (and lets face it; canned asparagus is disgusting). Can't pronounce avocado, much less identify one. I have to drive 25 miles for parsley. Like, 60 percent of the produce is high glycemic, and a good deal of the more affordable meat is processed and high in calories.
In this county, most (yes most) of the population is on food stamps. You have to stretch your dollars to feed your family, and guess what? Most of the cheap stuff is highly processed, high carb, high glycemic crap. And it tastes starchy and sweet and good. Pick up a can of soup. Corn syrup is in the top five ingredients. Always.
I saw a mom the other day, a college educated, normally on the ball local mom, take out a pacifier and douse it in Dr. Pepper, then stick it in her crying baby's mouth. Twice in ten minutes. What the heck is that?!!
The low carb diet is creeping in, but in insidious ways. Its all junk food (I try so hard not to buy it, but its difficult). People figure if they can eat LC ice cream and a bag of LC chips, its still okay.
Staying LC is not easy in most situations (IMHO) but here, culturally, its pretty bad. When you come home and Mamaw had cooked up a big mess of fried chicken, cornbread and pinto beans, and you love it and her and have eaten that all your life, it must wear on the soul a bit to say no.
Its doable, but dang! I love this region, and the people are spectacular, but the dietary challenges they face are amazing. I wouldn't have lost a size or almost two in 3 months if I'd had to deal with that every day. I live alone, and am pretty much captain of my own kitchen.
(end rant)
I was thinking of starting a thread on budget LC. Or is there a good one I can reference? I'm not that great at searching on this site.
whew!
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