Growing up I can remember for a treat my Dad would take us to Ihop for breakfast. Sometimes this was breakfast for dinner because let’s face it sometimes it’s just better for dinner! With out fail, I would get the “Lumberjack breakfast.” Do you remember this one? It was bacon, sausage, eggs (over-easy), hash browns, toast, and pancakes. Hot damn! I ate that whole damn meal! I can’t imagine how many calories I consumed. To my own defense, I was a very active child with a high metabolism and by no means was it an every weekend experience.
I read in the Los Angeles Times that the LA County’s department of public health is encouraging people to downsize their portions and waistlines with a new campaign “Choose Less. Weigh Less.” This is definitely awesome! None of us should be eating those “Lumberjack breakfasts.” We only need at most 2,000 calories a day. This is the absolute most for non-athletes on average. To be obese you must be eating twice that or worse.
I know they say that less educated and lower income families, often minorities, are becoming more and more obese. It’s cheap for them to go to a fast food joint and get breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But you can make dinner for your family for much less money than it costs you to go out and get fast food. Not to mention that stuff is death. You have to want to make a change and realize that what you eat has a large affect on how well your body runs.
I’m not a part of this ever-growing obesity trend, but it scares me. I notice it all over the country. I’m constantly astounded when I go to an airport and I see the array of sizes of people. I do think we should tax high sugar drinks, ban those XXL sized beverages, and tax fast food. Like cigarettes, this stuff is killing us slowly and we are addicted to it. LA County for sure has the right mindset. It starts with the individual. Even if you don’t eat that healthy overall, if you eat less of those unhealthy foods you’ll be healthier. Personally, I love the technique of eating, stopping and waiting ten minutes to see if I’m still hungry, and then normally I don’t even remember that I contemplated wanting something more to eat!
Next time you want to splurge on breakfast how about just two pancakes and two eggs, or my ever favorite combo of two eggs over-easy, two pieces of whole-wheat toast (no butter), and two pieces of veggie sausage or turkey bacon. Healthy eating and smaller portions is a lifestyle that feels great. Hey, it works for me and I don’t plan on joining the obesity epidemic! You shouldn’t either.
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6 Comments
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Dan Salem
October 15, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Its good to let yourself splurge once in awhile, I agree, but you need a healthy diet overall to be a healthy weight. Great article.
Caitlyn
October 19, 2012 at 1:35 am
You do know that the number of calories one needs varies depending on age, height, and other factors, right? 2000 is too much for some people, not enough for others.
Or do you honestly think whatever the right number is for you works for everyone? Tell me, what should my shoe size be?
Mandi
October 19, 2012 at 10:22 am
Yes Caitlyn I do know that. It depends on a lot of variables. Say your a professional athlete or even an amateur one, you probably take in a lot more calories than 2,000 because you’re burning way more.
I was generalizing to make a point. But wow, I obviously hit a nerve with you.
Bill
October 19, 2012 at 10:45 am
“We only need at most 2,000 calories a day.”
Read more carefully before you comment. At most is a little phrase meant to encourage anyone who isn’t working out daily to fit within that range.
Liz
October 19, 2012 at 10:52 am
Great post Mandi & so true! As a breastfeeding peer counselor and athlete that’s breastfeeding the question about caloric intake comes up a ton from other breastfeeding mamas. When we sit down and discuss it and their frustrations about not being able to loose the baby weight I tell them to start keeping a food journal. Come to find out these ladies are getting almost 2,000 calories per meal that’s 6,000 calories in a day! Plus not exercising because they’re afraid it’ll effect their milk supply. It’s tough to not get frustrated with these women but they quickly notice what they need to change in their lives. We also talk about plant based diets and how Veges will fill you up better than that big Mac and how in the long run it ends up being less expensive because you’re eating foods that properly fill you and give you just the right amount of nutrients for you and your baby. Keep up the good blog work mandi this was a tough subject that many people don’t want to admit they have a food problem. I’m not perfect but I do strive to learn more and make sure I’m a positive role model for my kids.
Mandi
October 19, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Liz- Thanks for commenting and sharing your insight! That’s very interesting about breastfeeding women. I have a friend that is currently breastfeeding and working on shedding her baby weight.
Check back for more blogs I write about health, food, and fitness! Also if you’re on twitter, please follow me @mandimellen. Thanks! 🙂