Limiting Each Persons Food Intake

joelcolorado · Intermediate Crude Joined: May 25, 2008 Posts: 683

My wife and I were talking and think that eventually, we will have to limit each persons caloric intake per day in order to sustain not only the food supplies but so that there is enough money for energy use.

We have personally cut out all junk food and are eating about one fourth or third of previous amounts. Of course we have lost weight but feel better, our health is good and our food bills almost nothing compared to before. No more chips, soda or ice cream.

This is also going to happen whether we like it or not due to increasing health care costs. Wife a doc and there is already talk of increased health care premiums for over weight ppl. And talk of increased cost for plane fairs for heavy folks. The airplanes were designed for 150 pound ppl when they were built so no wonder there are problems with weight to balance on jets these days.

I know this will stir up a controversy but just like smoking is a choice, so is being fat. Sorry. It is. Youopen your own mouth and take the food in. If you eat less calories than you burn you will lose weight. Cant snack etc. But anyway

The day will come that medical insurance will follow life insurance and premiums will be based on weight, smoking and other lifestyle CHOICES.
I cant see where giving each person enough calories to live is bad. WHY IS THAT A BAD THING> No one gets hurt and it benefits the entire world.

The average trip thru the buffet bar people eat 5,000 calories. THINK ABOUT THAT> 100 additional calories a day will increase your weight 10 pounds. 10 years of that and you are fat. Been there done that.

Cashmere · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 1971

Byron100

Care to toss out some ideas how this might be accomplished? I know I could stand to lose a bit of weight myself, although I've been keeping my numbers in the "green" for most part. The thing I want to point out is that counting calories is HARD. Have any of you tried keeping a food journal of everything you eat, day in and day out, for weeks and months on end? That's what most people have to do in order to reduce caloric intake below that of calories burned. Of course, 45 min to 1hr of at least moderate exercise six days a week is also needed to maintain a healthy weight and proper fitness level. We humans were designed to be hunting animals out on the savanna, NOT sitting on our butts in an office all day.

So, I'm not saying it can't be done, not by any means. But with people working 8, 9, 10 hours a day, plus the 30, 45, 1hr commute that's so common these days, finding time to do the 1 hour of daily exercise is easier said than done. And when it comes to junk food, why is it always the ice cream, soda and chips that are on sale, as opposed to the healthy stuff? If I had my way, I'd slap a 50% tax on all "non-healthy" food, and use 100% of that money to lower the cost of healthy food, and force grocery stores to not have specials on junk food items, etc. I would also force employers to give 15-20-min exercise breaks both morning and afternoon, even if it's just simple stuff like stretching exercises and short walks around the building. Anything to get people's butts out of their seats a couple times a day. People that walk / bike to work should be given discounts on health insurance, or monthly incentive payments, etc. And employers *really* need to rethink the idea of hiring someone that lives 30 miles from the office...doesn't it make sense to hire someone that lives 3 miles away, although they may not have the quite the same level of experience, expertise, etc?

I could go on and on, but you get the drift. People need to have incentives (emphasizing the plural here) to eat well, exercise and to get down to the proper weight level for their own height and build. Just raising insurance rates for the obese just isn't going to cut it...they'll just pay it and then bitch endlessly about goddamn unfair it is. And just think of all the "discrimination" lawsuits that will be sure to be clogging the courts...hehe.

As for health care, I really don't think it'll be all that long before most medical services is out of the reach of the majority, as our failing economy simply will not be able to carry the cost load of ever more expensive health care. So yeah, it's going to pay big time to get healthy and to stay healthy, as that will greatly reduce your odds of dying sooner than you might like. It's just that most people don't understand the concept of having to rely on our own selves to stay healthy, rather than the care of a doctor, except for the most simple of health care needs, such a setting a broken arm or getting stitches for a cut, etc.
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countrymomma · Tar Sands Joined: Jun 07, 2008 Posts: 43 Location: Midwest

The same thing happening around here. Seldom purchase snack foods anymore. Losing weight is a good thing for me - I don't see it as negative at all.

Seasonal eating is going to become more common. Eating fresh and canned vegetables from our own garden, hunting wild game in the late autumn & winter, fresh eggs & meat raised at home the rest of the year.

The folks I see having trouble are those that do not have access to foods grown locally. ie: urban areas where having a garden/livestock/hunting is not possible, or for those with a limited income who are unable to afford fresh foods. Hot dogs and mac-n-cheese are very cheap. Soylent Green anyone? Crying or Very sad

But, like I said, I'm all for cutting back. There's plenty of us who will be healthier for it.
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Country Momma

Ghog

My wife and I have both changed our diets since the beginning of the year.

I have gone from 226lbs (I'm 6'0'') down to 200lbs and have felt much better overall. I don't get as many aches and pains, I feel more limber and I sleep more soundly at night. All we have really done is change our eating habits though we do some light exercise. It looks like this:

Breakfast:
Cup of cereal (Cheerios or any high-fiber) with just enough skim milk to make it moist.
Half a banana or some strawberries.

Mid-morning snack:
An apple, peach, etc.
A cup of nuts (usually walnuts and almonds).

Lunch:
Another piece of fruit
A cup of tuna or in winter some homemade soups (veg, onion, bean).

Mid-afternoon snack:
Some carrots, broccoli or any good veg.
A cup of nuts or something high fiber.

Dinner:
We usually eat chicken, salmon or some other healthier dishes, but the key here is portions. We eat many different things, but our portions are much smaller than a normal American's. If I keep active in the evening, I am rarely hungry before morning.

This is with exercise in the evening. We either ride our bikes casually for 30 mins or I like the treadmill on a steep incline for 15 mins.

If we want a snack, we have a cup of frozen yogurt or some fruit and a small portion of DARK chocolate. For us it is never later than 8:30pm cause we go to bed around 10:30pm.

I am rarely hungry between snacks/meals and never feel run down or lacking in energy. Even when I had my appendix out, I kept up with my diet with no exercise and still was managing to lose a pound or two a week. Do we cheat once in a while? Sure but we get right back on track. That is the key cause you WILL cheat periodically!! In about a month or two you will see results and you will feel better. It is tough at first cause your body is not used to the new diet and the high fiber plays some havoc with your digestion, but it does become unnoticeable.

Whatever you do drink lots of H20!!!! I find that the nuts make me thirsty and that is when I get most of my water down cause I really don't like to guzzle glasses at a time. The rest of the time I drink 100% juices, low-salt V-8 or sip water.

Do not consume anything with 'sucrose' or 'fructose' on the label!! These will make your weight loss much more difficult.

Hope this helps. I figure we are healthier and better prepared for a reduction in calories post-Peak.

Werdna · Last edited by Werdna on Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:19 am; edited 1 time in total

Ludi

I won't be limiting anyone's food intake but my own! Smile

People who are working hard need a lot of calories. I hope folks who are homesteading aren't planning on limiting their calories. Plan to store extra calories if you can.

Anyway, that's my point of view. Smile

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frankthetank

I weigh a tad under 140lbs... My wife is under 120... The baby is a tad over 20lbs... I can't eat any less then i do right now. I haven't drank pop or had McDonalds in years. I don't buy junk food, unless you call peaches and watermelons junk food Smile

About the only thing we eat that has sugar in it is yogurt (Brown Cow). I do need to start eating a little more fiber dense food (whole grains).

Only fast food we eat is Subway. We do grill out a lot.
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HamRadioRocks · Heavy Crude Joined: Jul 19, 2006 Posts: 108

Would undernourished supermodels be exempt from the daily calorie limits?

Personally, I don't bother counting calories - It might raise my blood pressure. Smile

albente · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Aug 20, 2004 Posts: 1361

I prepare to go straight to breatherianism (honestly), quit all food and water intake alltogether. Has been documented in the Catholic Church multiple times over the centuries. Might kill you in the process though...requires a spiritual component probably.
link

Here a pic of our future (by default) force-unfed breatherian brothers and sisters.

SILENTTODD

Think this is all academic? Your in for a surprise! Get use to things like these.

And oh yes, learn to grow something to eat!
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joelcolorado · Intermediate Crude Joined: May 25, 2008 Posts: 683

Thanks for the adds to this. I thot most ppl would be angry.
As for keeping a log, yes I do keep alog of everything I eat. It makes you think about what you are doing.
My wife is a doc and with diabetes set to take over all other health care concerns, I woke up. I use a 9 inch plate, half veggies, fourth meat and fourt starch.
i will try and find the formula for what it takes just to maintain your weight. then you eat 500 cals less and you will lose weight with no additional excercise. It has activity level factor so ppl who work really hard get more calories, like construcion workers etc.

New diabetic diagnosed every 4 seconds.
Diabetic not found for 10 years After they first have it
Causing kidney and liver damage and irreversible.

I have lost 35 pounds and every day is tough still. Its a choice. Ate some bad stuff last night and up 3 pounds..Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

The_Virginian · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jun 19, 2004 Posts: 1528

If you eat LESS you should eat more Nutrient dense and vitamin rich food.

Don't stock garbage. (unless it's "comfort foods" for trade... and it holds forever and you got it cheap!
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WildRose · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jun 21, 2006 Posts: 1081

I believe that it's portion control that will help most people to lose the weight they want to lose. If you eat a plate of pasta the size of the ones offered in Boston Pizza, for example, you are eating too much pasta, unless you just ran 10 miles or are running 10 miles the next day. I have known people who saboutage their own efforts at working out in the gym by eating too much afterwards. If you eat small portions of starches and proteins, larger portions of veggies and fruits, you will lose weight. Also, watch the liquid calories - pop, beer, juice, milk - drink small quantities if you want to lose weight.

Keeping active is good; it stokes the furnace. I think people should do what they enjoy because they'll stick with it. I personally like walking, swimming, and working out in the gym best. I'm fortunate that all of these amenities are easy for me to get to. Walking is always good, it's free, and you just need a safe place to do it. If your joints give you trouble, try swimming, if there is a pool you can access. Working in the yard is good, too, and of course fresh air and sunshine are other bonuses.