American's low carb diets mystify Europeans

[Jay GW]

Low-Carb Craze Fails to Cross Atlantic

Sun Aug 8, 1:41 PM ET
By FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press Writer

ROME - Continental low-carb? No thanks. We'll have slabs of black bread for breakfast, rigatoni with broccoli and hot pepper sauce for lunch and a plate of shrimp paella for supper.


While recipe books for diets like Atkins and South Beach are gospel for many in the United States, the American craze for low-carb versions of brownies, breads and pasta hasn't crossed the Atlantic to the Continent.

Only Britain, where junk-food habits and ample figures often mirror those of their American cousins, is turning into an island of low-carb fans.

"The Atkins Diet craze that has gripped America will not result in Germans eating more sausage and less potatoes," said Dr. Volker Pudel, director of nutrition psychology and research at the University of Goettingen in Germany.

"Just think about German breakfast. You cannot just have eggs without the bread, and you cannot eat butter without spreading it on bread. It just won't work in Germany, this diet," said Pudel in a telephone interview.

One reason for Europe's snub of low-carb diets like Atkins and South Beach might be need — or lack of it.

Europeans like to walk, even when they have no place to go.

An entire European family could make a picnic of canapes from the staggering high pile of cold cuts in just one New York deli sandwich. Italians return from abroad stunned by cherished U.S. dining habits like all-you-can eat restaurants and doggy bags for all you can't eat.

"To give up a plate of pasta for a diet is, in my view, blasphemy," said Andrea Pargallo, a bartender in Napoleone bar on Piazza Venezia, as he served customers their morning cappuccino and cornetto (brioche).

"The Mediterranean diet is the best in the world. Indeed, we don't have all so many obesity problems like our friends across the ocean," said Pargallo, 31.

He was referring to Italy's staple diet, praised by nutritionists and built heavily around grains like rice and pasta and fruit and vegetables.

In France, where natives walk dogs with one hand and clutch a white-flour baguette in the other, pharmacist Niama Wallah said she was unfamiliar with the cutting-carbs approach to weight loss.

"But with the level of obesity that you have in America, it doesn't surprise me that people are going to such lengths to diet," said Wallah, who runs a pharmacy off the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

With Europeans so loyal to their linguine and so faithful to their pommes frites, European food manufacturers and supermarket chains haven't been plunging into low-carb product lines.

"We don't have low-carbohydrate products," said Omer Pignatti, a spokesman for Conad, a chain of supermarkets in Italy. "There isn't any on the Italian market and we don't foresee any such initiatives."

Surveys seem to bear out his assessment.

"We've seen low-carb to be an entirely U.S. phenomenon," said Lynn Dornblaser, director of consulting services for London-based Mintel International Group, Ltd.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...nental_carbs_1

[JAT]

In Europe I don't think they have quite as much junk food as we have in the U.S., such as Twinkies, Oreos, Ding-Dongs and all the rest of that garbage. They lay off the refined sugars in Europe, I think, where as in the U.S. some people just cannot stay away from their candy treats and sugared drinks.

[Monster]

*gasp* You mean...people who walk and get some form of excercise don't get fat as easily?!

SHOCKING!

[Smashing Young Man]

Originally Posted by Stage Monster

*gasp* You mean...people who walk and get some form of excercise don't get fat as easily?!

SHOCKING!

Indeed. Is it really any frickin' mystery why some people are fat? It amazes me how much discussion is given over to this topic.

[lilnymph]

Originally Posted by Stage Monster

*gasp* You mean...people who walk and get some form of excercise don't get fat as easily?!

SHOCKING!

weird Isn't it

hugs

lilnymph

[Monster]

Originally Posted by Smashing Young Man

Indeed. Is it really any frickin' mystery why some people are fat? It amazes me how much discussion is given over to this topic.

What amazes me is that, no matter how much it's discussed, the majority of Americans continue to lead sedentary lives, when something as simple as walking could make their lives so much better.

On that note, I can't wait to go back to my martial arts class once school starts for me.

[lilnymph]

A friend of a friend was once bitching about how unfair it was how slim I stay, while she was starting to get a bit "bigger", and how I had all the luck. My friend then pointed out that she drove everywhere, and didn't do much exercise, while I eat sensibly, walk most places if out round the city (if I can walk, I will, unless I am in a major hurry), go swimming and to the gym regularly.

Apparently she shut up about it then

Hugs

lilnymph

[Dogberry]

I think it is social.

In the UK the real fatties seem mostly to be council house dwellers, whilst the middle classes are a tad slimmer.

I'm fit because I have to be, though luckily I enjoy it. I cant imagine not playing sport or running.

[lilnymph]

Originally Posted by Dogberry

I'm fit because I have to be, though luckily I enjoy it. I cant imagine not playing sport or running.

Same here, I would hate not to be able to walk everywhere or swim

hugs

lilnymph

[Dogberry]

Originally Posted by lilnymph

Same here, I would hate not to be able to walk everywhere or swim

hugs

lilnymph

That'll be why your a lilnymph

[lilnymph]

Hehe yes, and the fact I am quite short

hugs

lilnymph

[Powerboss]

Originally Posted by Stage Monster

What amazes me is that, no matter how much it's discussed, the majority of Americans continue to lead sedentary lives, when something as simple as walking could make their lives so much better.

Indeed. It took me getting sick a few years ago to wake me back up. It is a struggle though to keep weight off. If I do not seriously exercise I gain weight and I had to stop for a while because of headaches so I've gained a few pounds back. Not that Im a fat slob or anything.
Bottom line ....Age=metabolism slowdown=It sucks.

Develop good eating habits and exercise now.

On that note, I can't wait to go back to my martial arts class once school starts for me.

That is excellent exercise not to mention the other benefits. I took it for several years, loved it. I've actually thought of starting them back up for something new as Im tired of lifting weights and running on a treadmill.

[Dogberry]

Keep fit when you are young, it pays dividends as you get older.

The only problem is staying uninjured. Make sure you warm up and warm down properly, also if you run pay out on god shoes.

That is excellent exercise not to mention the other benefits. I took it for several years, loved it. I've actually thought of starting them back up for something new as Im tired of lifting weights and running on a treadmill.

Why not run outside? Or do you live in a big city.

In the gym I prefer rowing machines, I have one in the garage, good for all round fitness training.

[lilnymph]

I prefer rowing machines in the gym, I don't like treadmills much (Can't stand the feeling of not getting anywhere when I run. I like to run in parks so I can see the scenary changing ) Also like exercise bikes, As riding a bike in the middle of a big city is a pretty silly thing to do, and I prefer walking anyway

hugs

lilnymph

[JAT]

Originally Posted by lilnymph

A friend of a friend was once bitching about how unfair it was how slim I stay, while she was starting to get a bit "bigger", and how I had all the luck. My friend then pointed out that she drove everywhere, and didn't do much exercise, while I eat sensibly, walk most places if out round the city (if I can walk, I will, unless I am in a major hurry), go swimming and to the gym regularly.

Apparently she shut up about it then

Hugs

lilnymph

I pictured you as being somewhat fat, as you're into that Dungeons & Dragons stuff or whatever it is, and the chicks who like that stuff are usually heffers.

[Monster]

Originally Posted by JAT

I pictured you as being somewhat fat, as you're into that Dungeons & Dragons stuff or whatever it is, and the chicks who like that stuff are usually heffers.

You have a strange notion of geek chicks. They're not like they used to be, man. They're hot now.

[lilnymph]

Originally Posted by JAT

I pictured you as being somewhat fat, as you're into that Dungeons & Dragons stuff or whatever it is, and the chicks who like that stuff are usually heffers.

I was also on the school swimming squad, and dance squad

I was a mixed up child, My father really wanted a son

hugs

lilnymph

[Monster]

Originally Posted by lilnymph

I was a mixed up child, My father really wanted a son

Well, that explains a bit.

[lilnymph]

Originally Posted by Stage Monster

Well, that explains a bit.

hugs

lilnymph

[JAT]

Originally Posted by lilnymph

I was also on the school swimming squad, and dance squad

Did you actually like those things, or did you just want an excuse to get into the locker rooms?