United States has it rough - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

alikat · 03-02-2006, 08:17 AM

Okay, so I just got back from a trip to the states my first time back there in two years... I just have to say in all seriousness, I applaud all of you that are stateside who have this surgery.

There are so many damn temptations all around. Seriously, we do not have that here. Food out in town is so expensive (12.00 for a happy meal) that the cost is prohibitive enough to avoid the temptation.

Also, there just are not a lot of choices. So, I guess all I am saying is that the last week was by far harder than at any other point since surgery to avoid temptations, so KUDOS to all of you who do it every day.

Dorothy · 03-02-2006, 08:25 AM

sheesh ! 12 bucks for a happy meal?? That would certainly cure my mickeyD's cravings! - unless of course I was a millionaire

pmcg · 03-02-2006, 09:17 AM

where you from

coptergirl · 03-02-2006, 09:24 AM

Wow, Ali - Can I move in with you?! The temptations are hard, hence the reason America is so obese...

lealphachienne · 03-02-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmcg

where you from

Ali is from Iceland if I recall correctly!

We certainly are spoiled here. As other countries adopt our ways, their rates of obesity shoots up.

brookscn · 03-02-2006, 10:37 AM

It's true - I've travelled a lot for business, and we've got WAY too many choices in the US (Whitney's right - that's why our obesity level is off the charts!) When I'd go to say Korea or Taiwan, to eat American food was costly - they have TGIFridays (of all things), Burger King and McDonalds, and the prices were very high (but the company was paying for it, so whatever!) In Europe, they have McDonalds (they call the stuff funky things like Cheeseburger Royale), but it's still expensive. It was hard to travel because I was so used to eating so much JUNK that nothing seemed good.....I felt very deprived. But, of course, I always made up for it when I got Stateside again. Those days are over after March 13!

Gladitsme · 03-02-2006, 10:41 AM

Ali,
Where did you visit? Hope it was fun!

Bypassingme619 · 03-02-2006, 08:36 PM

Wow that is amazing. To bad the coast of food wasn't that way here, I am sure that would change a lot. I remember growing up we still had fast food resturant but as the years have passed on there is a new fast food place going up every other month. Maybe I need to move to where the food is expensive. Wow McDonalds is cleaning up over there.

alikat · 03-03-2006, 01:32 AM

You know what really got me was the fact that there were starbucks EVERYWHERE! I have lived in New York, Phildalelphia, St Augustine, FL, Key West, FL Phoenix, AZ and now for the last two years I have been in Iceland. But I just do not remember it being so food oriented when I was there. I guess it did not impact me because it was the standard at which I was used to. NOW, it astounds me!

forsythia · 03-03-2006, 05:15 AM

Honestly though, I'd rather have too many food choices than not enough food or inadequate sanitation or unclean drinking water or no access to medical care or the thousand of other problems suffered by the third world. Thank God I live in the US.

(I'm not comparing Iceland to the Third World by any means - no flames please - I just got a little patriotic for a second. Maybe it's the fact that I've been 60+ days without a Happy Meal of my own. It's bringing out the sappy side of me...

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