A Plethora of Choices
I’ve read on several profiles that people sometimes feel like they stick out like a sore thumb when they are in a crowd because they are trying to live a healthy lifestyle. I definitely had one of those moments recently. I was trapped in an airport because my flight got delayed. I was getting hungry so I decided to go see what I could find to eat. I was hoping I could at least find a Subway or a smoothie place. I didn’t have enough time for a sit-down meal so I needed something that would be relatively fast. I walked into the food court and was presented with these choices: McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, greasy looking Chinese food. You’ve got to be kidding me. Just the thought of eating that food made me sick to my stomach. I kept on walking and after about five to ten minutes I came across another food court that offered, you guessed it, the exact same choices. What’s funny is that both food courts were completely packed with people. A part of me felt a little nuts for making such a big deal about it. I ended up noticing that a yogurt stand was selling bananas. I had a banana and a protein bar (which I had brought with me). With choices like that it’s no wonder so many people have problems controlling their weight!
December 28, 2007 at 10:08 pm
The funny thing about your story is that a few days ago, I would have agreed with you. Let me tell you why I think otherwise!
For Christmas, my wife and I went to her parents house out of town. We met up with her brother and his girlfriend. She was a very obese woman! At dinner she was making comments about how picky she was and how "healthy" she ate yet she put ranch dressing on everything! All she wanted to eat the whole time was fast food and you guessed it…ranch dressing! Now I am confused, as I am sure you are too! She thinks she is eating healthy? What is going on here? I thought everybody knew what healthy was! So I have come to the conclusion that yes, Americans are fat! But the thriving business of fast food in which you speak is not because of the restaurants themselves, but the obese people that support them. So, by popular demand, these eating establishments are put on every street corner, every shopping mall, and yes, every airport. I was kind of blind to that until now. A business can’t operate without a clientèle and I know people don’t eat there because the food tastes good….most of the food anyways! You could open a shop that sold fried glazed jelly doughnuts smothered in ranch and I bet it would thrive. That sounds disgusting to me but the sad truth is that it is true! Sure people are raised a certain way and their eating habits show that reflection. That is why there are so many obese people. The only way for places that sell decent food to start showing up on our corners is to change peoples perception on what is "healthy". Maybe then we would have some options! 
December 28, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Good point. If the junk didn’t sell then it wouldn’t be there. A lot of people look at me like I’m completely insane when I mention that I don’t eat any fast food. My diet is nowhere near what it probably should be, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that that food is horrendous for you.
December 29, 2007 at 5:17 pm
So true!!! And people don’t know why they have put on 5 pounds in the last year?? lol! Good thing you had that protein bar with you…. I don’t travel without one in my purse because I am afraid a couple of hours will pass by in my busy schedule and I start to get hungry!
That happened exactly today as I’m walking the streets of NYC and my stomach was growling! Not wanting to stop for pizza… i pulled out my protein bar and ahhhhh… solved the problem!!!
It is pretty awesome when you can acknowledge bad eating… and I usually don’t worry what people think. I get that alot… but most people know how strict I can be in my eating and they have seen my body change over the last year and a half and then they begin to ask for advice. Kudos to you! You look great!!!
January 13, 2008 at 6:14 am
I don’t eat any either, never mind how healthy it is, it tastes bad!
January 18, 2008 at 10:06 pm
LOL!!! Ditto!! I have always been pretty small,so I have always been kinda picked on by my friends and family members. They say stuff like ‘you are gonna blow away’ or ‘have you eaten today’. I am always being analized for my ‘unusual’ size, so of course I am uncomfortable eating around others. I feel like they are watching me-they are-and making sure I am eating the same junk they are. If I don’t, I get acused of not eating enough or being too skinny. I just want to be healthy!! I can’t help it that I am naturally small!! Just because everyone else is overweight and unhealthy, does’nt mean I have to be.