To think most people don’t care about healthy eating, exercise, etc

[Notcontent]

We keep hearing about rising obesity levels, diabetes, and how sugary/processed good is responsible for a lot of it, etc.

But it seems to me that most people are completely ignoring those messages - either because they think it’s all nonsense or because they think “oh well, I want to enjoy my food and drink and I don’t really care what happens when I get to 50”.

I completely agree that we need to have treats and enjoy food because that’s what life is all about. But a lot of it is just simple stuff, like having water instead or sugary drinks. Why is that? Yes, I know some people can’t afford healthy food, but most of us do have some choice about what we feed ourselves and our families.

If it was that easy to maintain and lose weight the diet industry wouldn't be what it is. Shakes,pills,plans,meal replacement, syns,points, fancy scales,waist trainers, powders, apps,rings,belly belts and a hundred more other things that I'm not even aware of.

They all have one thing in common: they promise fast results with minimum effort while being able to eat beyond satiation. It's why it keeps on going, because none of the above change habits and actually promote a healthier lifestyle.

Agreed on the weight training, by the way (I also have a few dumbbells, resistance bands etc at home - again, often done in front of the telly in the mornings while the rest of the house is asleep. In the short term, however, cycling and running burn far more calories, therefore can show quicker results. Muscle building etc. is for the longer term to raise metabolic rate.

I think this thread shows why so many are overweight- excuse after excuse and justification of a poor diet.

I think the 'dont know how to cook' is more about not being confident to cook and be sure the family will eat the results. Families on low income can't afford to make mistakes. Takeaway, processed foods, ready meals remove that risk.

I disagree. Not all families will eat the same processed foods, ready meals and takeaways anyway.

We all eventually get to learn what our families are more likely to eat. Of course the odd 'mistake' will be made but not necessarily any more than buying a wrong ready meal, or trying the new local takeaway etc.

promise fast results with minimum effort while being able to eat beyond satiation

That is what a lot of proponents of low-carb claim. In late 1960s, Atkins was very specific about saying that calorie intake was irrelevant, only carb totals mattered to weight gain. Now the fashion is to talk in circles, saying that carbs screw up insulin levels without bluntly saying and as a result you end up eating too many calories. Ditto about thyroid or PCOS problems: pretending that people affected with those conditions magically process calorie intake differently rather than admit the conditions make it harder for them to resist overeating. Anything but admit that excess weight arises from too many calories in & not enough energy expended.

I hate the giant distraction when folk start a debate about whether calorie counting works. Better to talk about what support people need to make calorie counting work for them, or other approaches that lead to the same outcome (eating less calories). So many convos are too quick to leap to assigning blame instead of contributing support for people who find calorie counting is unsuccessful focus for them. Seems like some folk quite enjoy assigning blame.

Not sure I've added anything to this thread... as usual!

I feel like there’s a big jump from “can make a few meals if I have all the ingredients” to “can make a weekly shop or two, and am confident I can turn those into healthy dinners for the week”. A lot of people just can’t be arsed to get to that point. It’s a real skill set.

I couldn’t do that as a vegetarian, and brought meat back into my diet to make this possible. I know it certainly can be done, but I couldn’t put that much effort into it.

It's really not a 'real skill set' to feed your kids from your kitchen, rather than the local takeaway.

But you're right, not being arsed often has a lot to do with it unfortunately.

I'm not sure you need to be able to cook lots to eat healthy though? It is quite easy just to cut up some veggies and out in boiling water..or even put frozen peas and veggies in the microwave. I think it is more about habit, and also cost (you don't often see veggies on offer do you, unlike say big packs of crumpets or pancakes)

I had feckless parents who taught me to cook nothing, but still manage to do stuff like boil potatoes.

I cook well and from scratch. Oh is a ‘clean eater’ (eats fish but not meat and barely any carbs but shit loads of greens) trouble is I’m a carber and when he cooks for me I often feel empty the next day and weak.

I also have massive issues with starving myself and binging so that’s not really something that’s gunna be changed by an advert, even my psychologist is struggling. I imagine I am not alone

Disagree, Worra. knowledge and skills are necessary, and time, energy and/or money.

Some people can’t be arsed. But many of us reallywant to eat better, and to feed our DC better food, and have difficulties achieving that.

But that's my whole point Loopy.

The knowledge and skills have never been easier to learn than they are today, with millions of simple step-by-step internet tutorial guides.

Ranging from very cheap, very basic, very simple meals, right through to gourmet standard.

Money doesn't really come into it if people can afford takeaways and ready meals, then they can definitely spend that money on the above meals.

Time and energy, well those are two things we all have to juggle in order to look after our family's health.

I think it's less about not caring and more about having busy lives, fussy kids and being fed up - food can make us happy!

I've just cooked (and eaten) roast, except my fussy, vegetarian (and adult I might add) dd scraped all the healthy bits into the bin, so I sometimes just think why bother, she prefers a ready meal or noodles.

I would support a better programme for ensuring that fresh veg and fruit is available everywhere including to those without cars and those on the lowest incomes to get a voucher each week eg £10 which buys a lot of potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage etc. plus cooking lessons to be available as well as places people can donate unwanted cooking equipment for those who need it. (It's not just about buying carrots!)

I know people who have no idea how to make things like a basic pasta sauce even, kitchen confidence isn't always about money even

As for "it's cheaper to cook" I can buy not 10 mins walk from my house a family chicken meal deal for £6, that's a chicken, 4 fries and two sides. I really would struggle to buy and cook (gas isn't cheap) it for that price, especially if I needed to shop on the bus as it's expensive and it's limited what you can carry. I've never bought that deal but I can see it's attraction (you can also switch the chicken for kebab meat!)

I buy online from Iceland and get big backs of frozen veg for making soup, spinach, etc and at the same time big packs of potatoes and just about to make into mash...it is wrong it has to be expensive. It's just priorities. / habits

I buy online from Iceland and get big backs of frozen veg for making soup, spinach, etc and at the same time big packs of potatoes and just about to make into mash...it is wrong it has to be expensive. It's just priorities. / habits. I mean you can also mix in things like fish pieces / fingers as well. It's not that hard.

Sorry for double post

Also, it is free delivery

They did used to do those vouchers they were called Healthy Start, not sure if they do anymore.

I buy online from Iceland and get big backs of frozen veg for making soup, spinach, etc and at the same time big packs of potatoes and just about to make into mash...it is wrong it has to be expensive. It's just priorities. / habits

It is quite easy just to cut up some veggies and out in boiling water..or even put frozen peas and veggies in the microwave

Lmao. No wonder it’s hard to get people in this country to eat their veggies when you say boil and salt ‘em. (Not to mention most the nutrients come out in water with that method of preparation, so not the healthiest way to eat them).

There are much tastier ways to eat your veggies. Can’t think of anything better than sautéed spinach with garlic (or any other hardy green) or roasting the shit out of root veggies. Yuuuuuuum.

No one in this country knows how to cook veggies. Fuck me.

But it’s really a skill set, something I actually had to work at. It’s not expensive, it’s actually much cheaper than ready made, but takes a bit of forward planning and willingness to learn how to cook from ingredients, instead of recipes (if that makes sense). It does become second nature after awhile but it does take work to get to that point. At least it did for me!

No one in this country knows how to cook veggies. Fuck me

Really?

No-one at all? Or do you mean a few Mumsnetters who like to cook them differently to you?

Mango yes I agree it takes work and a willingness to learn.

It's the least all parents can do for their children when they decide to have them.

There's no point in apologising to children if they've grown up fat and unhealthy, because we were unwilling to learn how to feed them properly.

It's a very important responsibility. In fact some people will agonise or evangelise about breastfeeding and giving their babies 'the best start in life', only to let it shoot to shit from weaning onwards.

Noone in this country knows how to cook veggies. Fuck me
Yeah fuck you love.

As for "it's cheaper to cook" I can buy not 10 mins walk from my house a family chicken meal deal for £6, that's a chicken, 4 fries and two sides. I really would struggle to buy and cook (gas isn't cheap) it for that price

Small chicken about £3, bag of oven chips £0.80, can of beans (= 2 sides) £0.50ish. More food, cheaper, for less money.

(you can also switch the chicken for kebab meat!)*

Which is lamb mince (if you're lucky), fat, salt, pepper, garlic and a few herbs. Still only around £3.50, probably less when really thinly sliced.

It just doesn't cut it for me.

bold fail