I have a theory. I’ve saw it in my family growing up and I’ve seen it on me personally. Growing up we hardly ever ate out. My mom cooked every meal and they were not weight conscious meals. My grandparents did the same thing. While we were eating at home, none of us had any serious weight problems. Some of us were not skinny, but none were overweight.
When we left this tradition and started eating fast food or processed food, some of us started having weight issues. I saw it in college. And then when I hit the workforce and was eating out lunch. I struggled keeping my weight down. I hardly ate dinner and not much breakfast. It was not a healthy or fun way to eat.
When I left the workforce to stay home, we cut back our restaurant meals to about once a month. Since I’ve changed to eating at home, I have not had to watch my weight. I can’t eat fried potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner without putting on the pounds; but I don’t have to count calories or fat grams as long as I’m eating a balanced diet. I also eat dessert at least once a day. I go to the gym about once a week. I’m not huge on exercise, but I do not sit down to watch TV. The only time I sit is at the computer or to eat.
I think most people would not have weight issues if they just ate a well balanced diet prepared at home. When you make your food, unless you’re Paula Deen, you naturally don’t use all the xox!@ they put in restaurant food. I think they have to add all the salt and fat to cover up the lack of flavor from their substandard ingredients. And you probably eat less portion size. When I eat out, I want my moneys worth. If it is a buffet, I’m really in trouble.
Regarding cooking at home, I’m not taking about tostita chips with a jar of hot sauce or a box of mac/cheese. I’m talking about homemade food from scratch like pot roast with veggies, baked chicken and brown rice, lasagna w/ salad, homemade buttermilk wheat pancakes w/ fruit and other mainstays from our American past.
Now that we’ve cut out eating out, I think I’ve detoxed. Dave and I go out about twice a year to a really nice restaurant with high quality food. Even at these places, I feel terrible the next day. My fingers swell and …. well you know.
Give it a try in 2009. It will save your $$$ and improve your health. If it works for you I’ll set up a paypal account and you can pay me instead of weight watchers!
Posted by Kris 