O the irony!

[Northernsoulgirl45]

So the Govt think we need to tackle obesity as it it such a risk factor for COVID etc etc. Yet they also want us to eat out to help out
Even worse obesity ad next to one for Just Eat KFC McDonald's and Burger King
AiBU.

It is ironic, but on the other hand people need to take responsibility for what they eat and how much they eat. You can still enjoy takeaways and fast food without becoming obese.

It’s perfectly possible to eat out healthily, or to eat less healthily ok moderation and not become obese. Both getting the economy moving and supporting healthier lives are important and people should be able to navigate both surely.

Surely its possible to do both?

Well when you have restaurant chains like Fridays and McDonald's it is hard to make healthy choices. I once ordered a salmon dish from Fridays which came with hardly any veg and a large serving of cheesy mash!

But it's everything in moderation isn't it? The government aren't saying you have to eat out three times a day everyday and having a large, not so healthy meal once in a while isn't going to make anyone obese. If I know I'm eating out in the evening, I have a smaller breakfast and lunch. I know it can be hard and there are all sorts of reasons people are overweight, some harder to overcome than others, but in the end people need to take responsibility and not blame the government / advertising for what they put in their mouth.

Well when you have restaurant chains like Fridays and McDonald's it is hard to make healthy choices. I once ordered a salmon dish from Fridays which came with hardly any veg and a large serving of cheesy mash!

You don't have to eat in those restaurants, you don't have to eat everything on your plate, and you can request more low calorie veg in place of higher calorie sides.

You don't have to eat out in the big fast food chains, since there are plenty of smaller local independent places taking part too.

I had lunch out with friends on Monday and a coffee in Costa on Tuesday, enjoyed 50% off in both, neither making me obese, but I suppose people have got to find something else to moan about.

@Northernsoulgirl45

Well when you have restaurant chains like Fridays and McDonald's it is hard to make healthy choices. I once ordered a salmon dish from Fridays which came with hardly any veg and a large serving of cheesy mash!

I’m sure you could have asked for a salad to go with the salmon instead of the mash.

@Northernsoulgirl45

So the Govt think we need to tackle obesity as it it such a risk factor for COVID etc etc. Yet they also want us to eat out to help out Even worse obesity ad next to one for Just Eat KFC McDonald's and Burger King AiBU.

There is nothing ironic about it. It's up to you to eat healthily.

I eat out at restaurants weekly (pre covid and now that they are open again) and I am not obese. There are always ways to make your meal healthier and lower calories, swapping chips for salad or veg etc. And one blowout meal isn't going to make you gain weight if you are sensible the rest of the time.

We shouldn't have to treat grown adults like children.

You're a little late to this party, this thread has been posted who knows how many times since eat to help out was announced, no one's forcing anyone to eat anything, have a look at the other threads for the arguments on both sides.

Why is it always someone else/ the government's fault that people are fat? Surely we are not mindless creatures that cannot make our own minds up on where and what to eat. Just because there is an offer to get cheaper food doesn't mean we need to avail of it.

Of course it's ironic. Part of the anti-obesity policy is to restrict buy-one-get-one-free on unhealthy foods. At the same time, the Government is effectively making McDonalds half price.

Those referring to people's autonomy and decision making ability are missing the fact that Government policy is intended to shape behaviour...

I do actually agree op.

Yes of course it's up to the individual in theory, but clearly we have an obesity crisis, that hasn't just happened in a vacuum yet here we are tempting people with cheap food.

On top of that for whatever reason, the government have prioritised booze and food over other more healthier activities when opening up things.

I don't think they are suggesting 3 meals a day from McDonald's every Mon/Tues/Wed.

The eat out thing is designed to get people through the door of otherwise potentially failing businesses. Ok, McDonald's isn't going anywhere but the principle works for many others. The economy needs to be turning and people need their jobs saving.

I went out for lunch and took advantage yesterday. Had some lovely squid and some sea bass. Personal choice and responsibility is key here. Yabu.

Well it just caused me to have a healthier breakfast than a doughnut....

So that's good surely?

Also, people really really really need to start taking some responsibility.

I say this as a slim girl that got obese then got slim. One was easier than the other, but it is possible.

And even more shockingly, it's possible even with illness that causes weight gain. Everyone looks for excuses. Just take some personal responsibility for god's sake.

Why does everything have to be the governments fault?

Why can't people take some personal responsibility for their choices?

We had our first too large meal out. Very naice, posh burger and chips. Then pudding.

The portion was large. I ate too much.

And then......I balanced it out with less/very little food in the evening. Largely because I was still full. I had a ricecake and some St Agur and an apple. And had a salad for lunch the next day.

Over-consumption of calories one meal - yes. Overall balance - just about.

Restaurant portions are, imho too large. But it is up to us to manage our diet.

I don't think it's ironic at all. Slim people go out to eat too. They just make sure they eat very little the rest of the day or next day.

Its actually healthy to introduce the occasional restaurant eating to come sense of normality. You just have to be reasonable when you do.

It’s down to you what you eat and how you balance it out. People should be allowed to indulge if they want. I will say though that we went to TGIs with the 50% off and my son (5) wouldn’t touch his chips because they were too salty. I definitely think there should be some thought in to making meals extra unhealthy for the sake of it!

Eating Maccies and KFC doesn't cause obesity.
Eating too much of Maccies and KFC does.

If someone gets fat from grand total of 13 discount days in various eateries, it's their own fault.

@Kelsoooo What did you have for your breakfast? (Just interested!)

It’s not normally the case that people eat out everyday, therefore it’s possible to do both, lose weight and eat out. And eating out doesn’t mean crap food, there is often something sensible on the menu

Even burger and chips or another similar meal at McDonalds isn't obesity inducing on the calorie front if it's the main meal of the day.

It's when people treat it as a snack, also have another big meal that day or have multiple mains, extra sides or large fries and large full sugar drinks and do that too often that they gain weight.

My normal McDs order is fish filet, medium fries and a coke zero, which is about 600 calories or so, but even Big Mac and medium fries is 'only' about 800. Or you could have a wrap and salad or small fries.

I do agree that a lot of restaurant portions are too large for one person for one meal, but you don't have to eat it all. We went out for pizza last night and I was full after half of it, so am currently having the rest for breakfast.