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[dejay]

Carbonated water is unquestionably gross......but I think soda's worse. And I'm not even talking about a health thing here, it's just always made me sick. I remember when I was a kid I'd have the occasional can of soda and it'd make me throw up. So yeah, I'll take carbonated water over that. But here's the mid way compromise we can all agree on....let's just drink beer instead

Carbonated water is awesome. It makes a nice change from plain water. I used to down a 1.25 litre bottle of water every afternoon, but stopped doing that because of all the plastic I was needlessly using. One of these days I'll get a Sodastream just for carbonated water.

 

[oti]

People hatin on carbonated water like why do you even exist brehs it's the best.

 

[spekkeh]

I strongly doubt that the Dutch are that tall because they eat bread. Bread and potatoes is a pretty common combination in Southern Europe and they tend to be shorter. Most of this is genetic.

Most of it probably is, but whole grain consumption IS linked with less obesity
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v63/n1/abs/1602895a.html

 

[Skellig Gra]

People hatin on carbonated water like why do you even exist brehs it's the best.

I dunno man. I was in Spain this past July when it was 38 celsius out at 9 at night. If I drank enough water to stay hydrated but it was all fizzy water I'd probably have some permanent internal issues.

 

[BigDes]

Lack of symmetry bothers me in that Glasgow salad.

Six sausages on one side four on the other, disgusting.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

Carbonated water is awesome. It makes a nice change from plain water. I used to down a 1.25 litre bottle of water every afternoon, but stopped doing that because of all the plastic I was needlessly using. One of these days I'll get a Sodastream just for carbonated water.

People hatin on carbonated water like why do you even exist brehs it's the best.

You people are evil and I hate you

 

[oti]

hnnnnnnnghsogoodohyeah

 

[Hrothgar]

Carbonated water is disgusting and dries your mouth. The EU should ban it.

 

[oti]

#TeamSprudel

 

[eot]

Carbonated water is disgusting and dries your mouth. The EU should ban it.

Yes, water dries your mouth.

 

[LeleSocho]

Carbonated water is disgusting and dries your mouth. The EU should ban it.

wat

 

[oti]

Carbonated water is disgusting and dries your mouth. The EU should ban it.

AMERICANS AND SCIENCE AM I RIGHT EUROBHREHS? AM I RIGHT?

Spoiler

 

[witchedwiz]

You're basing our food preferences on restaurants and hotels? Most European diets are self-cooked, old farmer type stuff. Just some potatoes with a sausage and cauly flower for example. I certainly do not eat croissants and chocolate breads everyday day all day.

Say what?
Farmer type stuff?
Pota toes with sausages?

I can safely say you have not interacted at all with locals..
E.g. I'm italian..
Last week i've had

Monday
Lunch: roastbeef
Dinner: tuna, salad, parmesan

Tuesday:
Lunch: roasted salmon
Dinner: chicken tighs

Wednsday:
Lunch: generic salad
Dinner: restaurant

Thursday
Lunch: scrambled eggs+speck
Dinner: half roasted chicken with LOT of salad

Friday:
Lunch: Fumigated salmon
Dinner: fresh cheese, rocket, olive, tuna

Saturday
Lunch: tomatoes and salad
Dinner: hand made pizza

Sunday:
Lunch: spaghetti with seafood
Dinner: beef tagliata


I'm an outlier as i don't really dig pasta, but i don't really would call this a farmer type way of eating...

 

[bounchfx]

Straight up posting here because carbonated water is the bomb. Has the fizz of soda without all the calorie and teeth eating garbage. I drink that shit like water.

But seriously I need to drink less of it and save some moolah

 

[soulassssns]

In this thread Europeans experience how Americans feel when they're generalised

HAHA, I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Oogedei]

To learn more about what they eat over there in England I searched on the Google and this is what it said.

If this is a traditional european breakfast I don't get how you can call American's nutritionally or culturally ignorant.

Yes, this is the typical european breakfast. Sometimes this isn't enough for my huge appetite though.

 

[Necromanti]

To learn more about what they eat over there in England I searched on the Google and this is what it said.

If this is a traditional european breakfast I don't get how you can call American's nutritionally or culturally ignorant.

Well, now it's obvious who the Americans got it from. So much for independence.

 

[DrSlek]

OP only just learning about the French Paradox?

 

[CadetMahoney]

American obesity is due in larger part to how lazy Americans are rather than consumption of carbohydrates. I say this as an American, we're probably the laziest nation in the world, as well as the most likely to eat deep fried and preservative ridden foods. Other nations eat bread because they move more, and carbs are fine if you're keeping active. We're meant to move, we're literally made for it, but for some reason Americans hate moving. This is why other nations are healthier than us.

/thread

 

[Hypron]

Well, now it's obvious who the Americans got it from. So much for independence.

Pretty much all English-speaking countries are amongst the most obese countries in the world. I think it's quite clear that the UK is the issue there

 

[Auto-Reply]

Maybe in Bavaria. Haven't eaten it outside of my home nor have I seen it in any restaurants. Then again, it's very difficult to find a German restaurant which would not be classified as a tourist trap heh

I find it very difficult to find any german restaurants period. They are not really popular I would say and italian and greek + asian restaurants dominate the landscape. If you find one than those are certainly no indication of daily eating habbits for the larger population.

 

[CadetMahoney]

Pretty much all English-speaking countries are amongst the most obese countries in the world. I think it's quite clear that the UK is the issue there

I heard mexico is heading to be fattest or has already over-taken USA as fattest.

Any theories for this? Half its people are really poor and officials recently launch a national anti-hunger campaign. Kinda weird, third world, but most obese in the world?!?

 

[The Lamp]

I heard mexico is heading to be fattest or has already over-taken USA as fattest.

Any theories for this? Half its people are really poor and officials recently launch a national anti-hunger campaign. Kinda weird, third world, but most obese in the world?!?

They drink coca-cola and other soda religiously. Go to a Mexican familys house and they literally stock it in 2L bottles and serve it at dinner. There's your obesity crisis.

 

[Auto-Reply]

I'll be 30 in a month.

I was like that until I was 33-35, then it hit me!

 

[Lego Boss]

To learn more about what they eat over there in England I searched on the Google and this is what it said.

If this is a traditional european breakfast I don't get how you can call American's nutritionally or culturally ignorant.

I would say that is pretty standard in the UK for brek. Although the coca-cola in the second picture is unrealistic: so much sugar in there, it's gotta be bad for you.

Substitute the coke for tea and that's pretty spot on.

UK doesn't have an obesity crisis for a reason.

 

[The Lamp]

The whole bread makes you fat belief of America is a myth perpetuated by ignorance in the realm of nutrition. American obesity is due in larger part to how lazy Americans are rather than consumption of carbohydrates. I say this as an American, we're probably the laziest nation in the world, as well as the most likely to eat deep fried and preservative ridden foods. Other nations eat bread because they move more, and carbs are fine if you're keeping active. We're meant to move, we're literally made for it, but for some reason Americans hate moving. This is why other nations are healthier than us, not because of their food culture, but their active culture.

American bread makes you fat because it's white or sweet bread sweetened with HFCS and other sugars.

Most of your breads in Europe I guess are just complex carbs and fiber and whole grains from wheat.

We're not lazy, we work very hard. But our food is spiked with sugar that causes metabolic disease and weight gain and it's at such an amount that we cannot control its influence over our lives very effectively. This is historically because corn is heavily subsidized by the U.S. government as a cheap sweetener, and our society is used to sweet foods after using it for decades while thinking it was harmless. 80% of food at the grocery store is sweetened with fructose. This is not a theory, this is factual. Watch the videos by Dr. Lustig if you want more info about this American diet crisis. He and other doctors also prove that Americas weight problem is NOT about how much you move but an epidemic at the food supply level we need to change. Something like 80% of people who lose weight gain it back within a year. You have people who leave USA and go eat elsewhere without working out and lose several pounds without changing any eating habits, and when they return they gain it right back. Your theory is ridiculous and promotes a smug attitude that Americans are lazy compared to Europeans. We may have cars but we also have a growing health food and exercise culture, evidenced by the changing trends in consumer habits with food purchasing and also the amount of gym and exercise programs spreading across the country.

 

[Lego Boss]

American bread makes you fat because it's white or sweet bread sweetened with HFCS and other sugars.

Most of your breads in Europe I guess are just complex carbs and fiber and whole grains from wheat.

We're not lazy, we work very hard. But our food is spiked with sugar that causes metabolic disease and weight gain and it's at such an amount that we cannot control its influence over our lives very effectively. This is historically because corn is heavily subsidized by the U.S. government as a cheap sweetener, and our society is used to sweet foods after using it for decades while thinking it was harmless. 80% of food at the grocery store is sweetened with fructose. This is not a theory, this is factual. Watch the videos by Dr. Lustig if you want more info about this American diet crisis. He and other doctors also prove that Americas weight problem is NOT about how much you move but an epidemic at the food supply level we need to change. Something like 80% of people who lose weight gain it back within a year. You have people who leave USA and go eat elsewhere without working out and lose several pounds without changing any eating habits, and when they return they gain it right back. Your theory is ridiculous and promotes a smug attitude that Americans are lazy compared to Europeans. We may have cars but we also have a growing health food and exercise culture, evidenced by the changing trends in consumer habits with food purchasing and also the amount of gym and exercise programs spreading across the country.

I believe that people in the US work harder than anyone else in the western world, so they're not 'lazy', but surely the fact that you're working all the time and that you have to drive everywhere means that you don't have the time to be healthy.

It's not lazy in work, but in terms of exercise. I was amazed when I visited the US how many people worked two to three jobs and how not having a car was a major problem. I'm not saying the UK/Europe is perfect, but I think the fact that we've got less space and a more 'interfering' set of rules in terms of the EU, means that certain things must be done and generally these are good for the health of the individual.

Although 25% of people in the UK are obese . . . .

 

[The Lamp]

I believe that people in the US work harder than anyone else in the western world, so they're not 'lazy', but surely the fact that you're working all the time and that you have to drive everywhere means that you don't have the time to be healthy.

It's not lazy in work, but in terms of exercise. I was amazed when I visited the US how many people worked two to three jobs and how not having a car was a major problem. I'm not saying the UK/Europe is perfect, but I think the fact that we've got less space and a more 'interfering' set of rules in terms of the EU, means that certain things must be done and generally these are good for the health of the individual.

Although 25% of people in the UK are obese . . . .

The fact we work a lot yes does mean that it hurts our ability to eat and exercise healthy, true. But I think this crisis has got to be more than just that. Doesn't Japan also work like crazy? But they don't have high obesity or diabetes problems do they?

If you want to even begin to approach the angle that the obesity crisis in America is one of exercise and personal responsibility, you have to explain why newborn babies are becoming increasingly obese as their mothers eat sweet foods and feed their babies sweetened formula. Because newborns cannot exercise or take responsibility for themselves.With 2/3 of American women obese or overweight, 3/4 of American men obese or overweight, and over half of Americans prediabetic or diabetic, and these numbers are just increasing and increasing, you cannot convince me that a historically hardworking and active nation became this way in a manner of just a few decades by being exponentially lazier than their parents.

 

[Always-honest]

Probaly less sugar overall and we probably eat less of it.
Just look at the sizes food and drinks. A "normal" in the USA is an "at your own risk" in Europe.

But don't fool yourself. Many people in Europe are overweight. We eat too fat, too much sugar and too much. We follow the leader.

 

[OnkelC]

Isn't the observation of OP rather a question of "Tourist / holiday diet" vs. Everyday Diet?
I eat way more and more unhealthy when on vacation than at home, part because cooking isn't possible and part because I want to savor as much new stuff as possible.

Seeing someone (touristicky) dining on Eisbein and Sauerkraut in a restaurant doesn't equal eating that stuff everey day.

 

[air jordans for dogs]

Natives don't actually eat that stuff, but it's probably those European slim genetics

 

[Ikael]

Well, I am an European and I don't get the butthurt, the OP and other American posters have rised some valid critics (and another ones not so valid):

- Water: Well, the practice of overcharging you for water is a shitty tourist trap practice. Yep, shame on us Europeans. And free refill is a wonderful American custom that we're fortuntately starting to adopt, thank God

- Customer service, at least in my country, Spain, is, indeed shit. Like seriously shit. While tipping is kinda bizantine and it is hard to come to terms to all its nook and crannies, I will gladly take tipping in exchange of an awesome American custom service, thank you very much

- Restaurants do close late here (around midnight) but then again, I am Spanish and we have got a completely different, utterly bizarre meal horary from the rest of the world. If you got to any big city, you will find many different options for eating out at almost any given time, which rings specially true for Madrid, which is as sleepless as it goes

- Healthy options in supermarkets: This I disagree with, trying to buy fresh produce in the US is more of a pain in the ass, me thinks. We tend to buy vegetables, fish and meat on specialized stores (pescaderías, verdulerías, carnicerías, etc) which are almost non-existant in the US. Big supermarkets here also sell that type of fresh produce, which is a rare sight on Walmart and the likes

- Another big piece of the puzzle regarding public health is amount of HCFS and saturated fats in food products. These type of practices can only be stopped trough vigorous goverment action and regulation (aka, a functioning health department that doesn't catter to agriculture lobbies and food industries) which is something that doesn't mesh quite well with the US anti-socialist stances, I fear

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

Food in Europe is far better. But if you like more shittier versions than the ones in Europe, than good for you sport. I do agree in regards to water and in some places paying for using a toilet though. Ridiculous on both ends.

 

[DistortionOfReality]

That terrifies me, ex co worker moved to America and had to fight to get 14 days holiday, while we all get 25.

37 here and loving it! dealwithit.gif

Why is the UK like that? Public transportation seems to be quite good and people seem to walk everywhere.

UK trains are like the laughing stock of Europe lol, incredibly overpriced and always delayed/cancelled

 

[Alx]

Well, I am an European and I don't get the butthurt, the OP and other American posters have rised some valid critics (and another ones not so valid):

Well the whole premise was "I don't get how Europeans can be so slim considering how rich their food is, while Americans are fatter and have healthier foods available". Which was judged base on what the OP ate in hostels, cafes and restaurants.

- Water: Well, the practice of overcharging you for water is a shitty tourist trap practice. Yep, shame on us Europeans. And free refill is a wonderful American custom that we're fortuntately starting to adopt, thank God

That's one of the things where generalizing to "Europeans" doesn't work, since the practice is different in each country. In France it is an obligation by law to offer free tap water. Although you can blame other countries without such law... (as for myself I don't drink during meals, so it never bothered me )

- Customer service, at least in my country, Spain, is, indeed shit. Like seriously shit.

Nah it's fine. As a matter of fact I found Spanish service lovely in general, there is this perfect balance of being friendly enough while not seeming fake or invasive. But then I'm from France where service is said to be terrible. (my opinion being that you can have a bit of everything, some waiters don't care at all while others are great...)

- Restaurants do close late here (around midnight) but then again, I am Spanish and we have got a completely different, utterly bizarre meal horary from the rest of the world. If you got to any big city, you will find many different options for eating out at almost any given time, which rings specially true for Madrid, which is as sleepless as it goes

I think it's also one annoying aspect of the OP, complaining that "things don't work the way I want". Or not following the "When in Rome Madrid ..." rule. I'll eat at "regular" times in France, earlier in the UK and later in Spain, and appreciate the opportunity to experiment other cultures. If cultural differences bother someone, why would he even travel abroad ?

 

[Mendrox]

The fact we work a lot yes does mean that it hurts our ability to eat and exercise healthy, true. But I think this crisis has got to be more than just that. Doesn't Japan also work like crazy? But they don't have high obesity or diabetes problems do they?

If you want to even begin to approach the angle that the obesity crisis in America is one of exercise and personal responsibility, you have to explain why newborn babies are becoming increasingly obese as their mothers eat sweet foods and feed their babies sweetened formula. Because newborns cannot exercise or take responsibility for themselves.With 2/3 of American women obese or overweight, 3/4 of American men obese or overweight, and over half of Americans prediabetic or diabetic, and these numbers are just increasing and increasing, you cannot convince me that a historically hardworking and active nation became this way in a manner of just a few decades by being exponentially lazier than their parents.

It's not true that people in Japan work like crazy. There are other reasons for their work ethic, but their "working hours" are in the normal range.

America just has shit in their food and you can taste it miles away. Carbonated water is the best thing ever btw. It's the soda feeling without the ugly tasting soda itself.

 

[Oogedei]

UK trains are like the laughing stock of Europe lol, incredibly overpriced and always delayed/cancelled

What? Everytime I've been to the UK the trains were always on time and I bought the tickets so cheap on the Internet that I had to double check that I've really bought tickets for me and my SO and not only for one passenger. In Germany the prices are like twice as high and the trains are always late. ALWAYS! Used it 15 times this year and I swear it was late everytime. Love me some UK trains bre.

 

[bchamba]

wait this is weird to me, is this a European thing?

 

[andycapps]

All that bread is no problem when you're as active as most of them are. Most Americans walk from their front door to the car, the short walk from the parking lot to their job, minimal walking at work, then back out to their car, then the short walk from their car to the front door. And that's about it. As a nation we're obsessed with getting the closest parking place even if it takes twice as long to find it rather than parking further out and getting a few extra steps in. Obsessed with waiting for the elevator rather than taking the stairs.

 

[The Lamp]

All that bread is no problem when you're as active as most of them are. Most Americans walk from their front door to the car, the short walk from the parking lot to their job, minimal walking at work, then back out to their car, then the short walk from their car to the front door. And that's about it. As a nation we're obsessed with getting the closest parking place even if it takes twice as long to find it rather than parking further out and getting a few extra steps in. Obsessed with waiting for the elevator rather than taking the stairs.

Americans exercise via other means, and it's not like walking is going to burn off more than a croissants worth of calories.

 

[EGM1966]

Sounds like you need to improve finding where to eat OP! I've never had a problem eating healthy anywhere in Europe - well okay some bits of Eastern Europe gave me some trouble.

I've always found that on average service and supply of water/coffee was better in US and mid tier (diner's etc) are better in US while higher end food is better in Europe.

We're so far ahead in cheese and chocolate and beer though (some of the micro brewers in US are definitely damn good now though).

Generally I've always found it possible to eat well most anywhere in the world (real third world poor areas excepted)

 

[Mr Git]

A common British breakfast is cigarettes and a hastily eaten slice of toast.

 

[andycapps]

Americans exercise via other means, and it's not like walking is going to burn off more than a croissants worth of calories.

Depends on how much walking we're talking about. I'd also be interested in seeing the average caloric intake of your average American male vs French male, for example.

So many people blaming HFCS in this thread, which really doesn't matter. Even if we used refined sugar in our soda, it'd still be the same amount of calories. The real culprit in this country is eating more calories than we need to consume. But yes, soda intake doesn't help at all.

 

[The Lamp]

I'm eating at yet another fucking restaurant that doesn't serve me tap water. I thought maybe since it was highly rated on tripadvisor for Venice, they would throw me a bone. Damn it Europe.

Depends on how much walking we're talking about. I'd also be interested in seeing the average caloric intake of your average American male vs French male, for example.

So many people blaming HFCS in this thread, which really doesn't matter. Even if we used refined sugar in our soda, it'd still be the same amount of calories. The real culprit in this country is eating more calories than we need to consume. But yes, soda intake doesn't help at all.

Uh, no, fructose is very much to blame, it is the refined sugar molecule used in HFCS as well as in sucrose. As was said in this thread, watch the medical lectures by Dr Lustig on YouTube, or the documentary Fed Up.

 

[Dennis]

€30 European breakfast meal.

 

[HawksWinStanley]

It's not the reliance on cars for travelling distances that would require a car, it's using cars for distances that are readily walkable. Like having to drive between two adjacent stores as there is no path between them. Not having pedestrian crossings. Driving from one side of a parking lot to the other to go to a different store.

I can get on board with this.

As someone who commutes to Chicago from the burbs for work every day (thanks to my office moving just out of metra range) I'd like to send out a resounding "fuck you" to everybody who lives in the city and still drives with readily available public transit.

 

[spekkeh]

I'm eating at yet another fucking restaurant that doesn't serve me tap water. I thought maybe since it was highly rated on tripadvisor for Venice, they would throw me a bone. Damn it Europe.



Uh, no, fructose is very much to blame, it is the refined sugar molecule used in HFCS as well as in sucrose. As was said in this thread, watch the medical lectures by Dr Lustig on YouTube, or the documentary Fed Up.

Yeah I'm afraid for most of Europe the food is relatively 'cheap' (if you factor in high VAT and service charge), because they make money on the drinks. Wine too, you can often go to the supermarket and find the same bottle for 1/5th the price. Possible exceptions France and Spain, the first because wine is obviously the mostest importantest thing there is, the latter because 1/5th the price is one euro. So free water is definitely a rarity I'm afraid.

I think it's also one annoying aspect of the OP, complaining that "things don't work the way I want". Or not following the "When in Rome Madrid ..." rule. I'll eat at "regular" times in France, earlier in the UK and later in Spain, and appreciate the opportunity to experiment other cultures. If cultural differences bother someone, why would he even travel abroad ?

Yep, same here. I don't like eating at ten pm, at which point I'm tired and irate, but part of the charm of going to a country like Spain is learning how to roll with it. Though in The Lamp's defense, he seems to complain more about the quality of the food and service than the context.

 

[BioHazard]

Yes, someone posted a Wegmans. Check fucking mate Europeans

 

[Skellig Gra]

I'm eating at yet another fucking restaurant that doesn't serve me tap water. I thought maybe since it was highly rated on tripadvisor for Venice, they would throw me a bone. Damn it Europe.

It's not going to happen in Italy. I was there for 2 weeks and every meal I asked for tap water in Italian and every time they looked at me like I had just asked to have sex with their wife or something.

 

[God Dayumm]

It's not going to happen in Italy. I was there for 2 weeks and every meal I asked for tap water in Italian and every time they looked at me like I had just asked to have sex with their wife or something.

This is why tipping culture is important. Tips pay for the water and the refills.

And I tip more at Indian restaurants because they bring me water without even asking. With no ice too! Sometimes they even leave the whole jar for my table and refill it too