Splendour gluttony vs American diet

[exlandlubber]

Good morning fellow cruisers!

As I’m sure you will agree, cruising on Regent is one gigantic food fest, where three meals a day, multiple courses and copious amounts of wine are pretty much the norm. This morning was our first morning home in Florida after our 14 day London to Oslo cruise and when we got on our scale, we hadn’t gained any weight!! OK, maybe a fraction of a pound, but based on our food/wine consumption we expected at least 3-5 pounds each. So my question to my fellow passengers is, “Why?”  Yes, we certainly walked a fair amount but the weather wasn’t that great and often we were on bus tours so the exercise was negligible. The chef who conducted the Culinary Arts classes spoke about all of the preservatives in American food as opposed to European diets. Could it really be that simple? And if so, how do we get food (short of buying a farm and baking full time) that’s good for us to eat? I would love suggestions as to how to shop for food, which I know sounds dumb but I’m truly sincere. Your advice as always is much appreciated.

Kim

[caviargal]

We are also just back from 17 days in Europe, including this cruise.

My husband ate everything he wanted and gained nothing.

I followed the same low fat, no sugar diet I do at home.  My splurges were wine, bread daily (we don't get good bread at home and I rarely bother) and their lovely cheeses.   No breakfast, desserts or tea time for me and I was in the gym every day, as I am at home.  They were very accommodating with my low fat diet and I never felt stuffed.

I love to cook and always use fresh ingredients from our local farmers market, seafood market and butcher, supplemented by staples from Costco.  I was raised in the restaurant business and never have eaten a TV dinner in my life, nor were we fed fast food.  My parents were both excellent cooks and raised their kids to value quality and preparation of the food we prepare and eat.

I follow a mostly Mediterranean diet.  My doctor is constantly wowed by my low cholesteral numbers (I am the ONLY one in my family that does not take meds for high cholesterol) and my low blood pressure.  I guess I am doing something right!

I find we very rarely gain any weight in Europe. We normally do land trips and are very active.  Clean food and smaller portions are the norm in most of Europe - at least in the Med where we go most often.  And people walk everywhere, including after dinner.  Our supersized, fast food culture does the US no favors.  I'm glad a healthy lifestyle has always been a priority for me.

Edited September 5 by caviargal

[GMIAC]

Europeans walk a lot more, they eat smaller portions, and eat whole foods. That's a recipe for good health. We saw very few overweight locals in Spain and Iceland recently.

 

There's such a motivation for huge restaurant portions here in the US so they can charge more and make more. It's made us expect value for the money, and feeds our attitude of "bigger is better." I can remember when a large soft drink at McDonalds was 16oz (that's a whole bottle, when soft drinks were sold bottled). Now nothing less than a quart (32oz) is considered large. And then there's the issue of "refills," which were never a thing. People drank one soft drink at a meal. Those things are loaded with sugar, which is in just about every processed food we buy.

[RachelG]

Portions in Compass Rose are certainly smaller than what we generally see offered in restaurants at home.  You get a lot more exercise just walking around than most people do at home.  I follow my normal low carb, no sugar diet that I do at home and rarely gain any weight on a cruise, maybe just a pound or two.  But I do work out every day even on the cruise.  And we don't eat fast food or much processed food at home. I do splurge on bacon on a cruise if it is good bacon, which is hit or miss depending on where in the world we are traveling. 

[GOARMY]

And--is it not comforting to know should one want a "little more of that; a second portion of this":

 

Response will be:  "Of Course."  No judgment. 

 

Frankly, have seldom felt the need to do-so. 

 

GOARMY

 

[GMIAC]

11 hours ago, GOARMY said:

And--is it not comforting to know should one want a "little more of that; a second portion of this":

 

Response will be:  "Of Course."  No judgment. 

 

Frankly, have seldom felt the need to do-so. 

 

GOARMY

 

I always need a little extra fried zucchini at La Veranda at dinner. That stuff's addictive.

Edited September 6 by GMIAC

[mj_holiday]

I find that I am eating some healthy food that I do not always have the time/talent/energy to make at home such a Dover Sole, Sea Bass, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit  etc.  In Compass Rose you can also get a variety of vegetable with no sauce etc.  And yes, even if you don't make the effort to walk laps on the deck, you are walking more getting to the various venues on the ship then at home.  If I gain a pound on a cruise, it is rare.

[Dolebludger]

On the two Splendor and one Explorer cruises we have taken in the past year or so, I found the food portions much smaller than on pre-pandemic Regent cruises. No problem for me, as I intended to reduce my cruise food intake. And those who wanted more could always order a second portion. And I gained no weight.

[GMIAC]

I've never gained weight during a cruise, but I do always make arrangements to have my liver replaced post-cruise. 

[ChucktownSteve]

6 minutes ago, GMIAC said:

I've never gained weight during a cruise, but I do always make arrangements to have my liver replaced post-cruise. 

Not eating enough sauteed onions on the cruises?

[GMIAC]

5 minutes ago, ChucktownSteve said:

Not eating enough sauteed onions on the cruises?

Yeah, that's what I keep telling myself.  😜

[PhD-iva]

I’m back from 19 days on Oceania’s Sirena. Food, service, wine - all great! I indulged myself and spent almost NO time in the gym. BUT! I walked 10K + steps every day and climbed TWO mountains (almost killed me! 😵‍💫).
Also, at meals I think I must have talked a lot because I usually didn’t have enough time to finish my dish before others’ were being cleared. I didn’t want to slow the pace and always said I was also finished. I made up for it by having ice cream after most lunches.

Over 19 days, I gained 3 pounds, and lost them quickly once I was back home……

So, I recommend talking a lot!

[GeorgiaPeach51]

“The chef who conducted the Culinary Arts classes spoke about all of the preservatives in American food as opposed to European diets.”

 

I think this has a great deal to do with our general health, along with exercise and portion control, of course.
 

I really wonder which side the FDA is on when they allow so many more chemicals and additives and terrible oils, etc. in American food compared to what is allowed in Europe. You would almost think they are hand in hand with big pharma to be sure we stay unhealthy.  🙄

It pains me to see what we feed our children compared to what kids in Europe eat.

 

 

Edited September 8 by GeorgiaPeach51

[Tsunami74]

11 hours ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

“The chef who conducted the Culinary Arts classes spoke about all of the preservatives in American food as opposed to European diets.”

 

I think this has a great deal to do with our general health, along with exercise and portion control, of course.
 

I really wonder which side the FDA is on when they allow so many more chemicals and additives and terrible oils, etc. in American food compared to what is allowed in Europe. You would almost think they are hand in hand with big pharma to be sure we stay unhealthy.  🙄

It pains me to see what we feed our children compared to what kids in Europe eat.

 

 

What particularly alarms me is how in USA they are permitted to feed chickens (and other animals) hormones and antibiotics even if they are not sick to get them to grow faster.

So our children are consuming hormones and antibiotics with ever chicken nugget.

I pay the premium for chicken supposedly without hormones and antibiotics, but most don't, and I am pretty sure restaurants do not.

[RELS]

1 hour ago, Tsunami74 said:

in USA they are permitted to feed chickens (and other animals) hormones and antibiotics

 

Chickens don't get hormones. They do get antibiotics. Other animals (beef and dairy cattle) definitely get hormones.

[Tsunami74]

15 minutes ago, RELS said:

 

Chickens don't get hormones. They do get antibiotics. Other animals (beef and dairy cattle) definitely get hormones.

So I guess my brand advertising hormone and antibiotic free is just marketing?

I read somewhere that it's partly the hormones given that make the chickens so much bigger than they were in 1950's

[RELS]

3 minutes ago, Tsunami74 said:

So I guess my brand advertising hormone and antibiotic free is just marketing?

I read somewhere that it's partly the hormones given that make the chickens so much bigger than they were in 1950's

 

Definitely marketing re: the hormones. The FDA prohibits hormones and steroids for chickens. The chickens are bigger due to selective breeding, because they don't move very much due to how they're raised with little opportunity for exercise (which is a whole 'nother issue), and also the antibiotics help with growth.

[RachelG]

RELS is correct regarding chickens.  No hormones allowed.  
 

The cattle on our ranch receive no hormones either, and no antibiotics unless sick.  They are vaccinated properly and dewormed.  And fed diet consisting only of grass, hay in the winter, and protein cubes.  No corn or liquid diet which is what is used in feed lots to fatten them quickly.  You can definitely taste the difference.

[UUNetBill]

Just did a 19-night South America/Antarctica earlier this year and I gained about 10 lbs on the cruise...but I'm a pretty avid cyclist and stationary trainers are hard for me to enjoy.  Then on about day 4 I got COVID and was locked down for 4-5 days.  Once I got sprung, I tried to make up for lost time but between the Drake and South Atlantic it was tough getting deck walks in, and the gym was closed due to COVID protocols.

 

So I wasn't surprised that I put on some weight (thanks, bourbon) but I'm surprised that I'm still carrying it five months later.  I blame COVID.  😄

 

[RachelG]

2 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

Just did a 19-night South America/Antarctica earlier this year and I gained about 10 lbs on the cruise...but I'm a pretty avid cyclist and stationary trainers are hard for me to enjoy.  Then on about day 4 I got COVID and was locked down for 4-5 days.  Once I got sprung, I tried to make up for lost time but between the Drake and South Atlantic it was tough getting deck walks in, and the gym was closed due to COVID protocols.

 

So I wasn't surprised that I put on some weight (thanks, bourbon) but I'm surprised that I'm still carrying it five months later.  I blame COVID.  😄

 

I would definitely gain weight if I couldn't exercise for a week on a cruise, even with trying to eat healthy. And it is definitely easier to gain than to lose. 

[KenzSailing]

On 9/8/2024 at 12:31 AM, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

“The chef who conducted the Culinary Arts classes spoke about all of the preservatives in American food as opposed to European diets.”

 

I think this has a great deal to do with our general health, along with exercise and portion control, of course.
 

I really wonder which side the FDA is on when they allow so many more chemicals and additives and terrible oils, etc. in American food compared to what is allowed in Europe. You would almost think they are hand in hand with big pharma to be sure we stay unhealthy.  🙄

It pains me to see what we feed our children compared to what kids in Europe eat.

 

 

 

 

Really?  I am sorry, and I do enjoy your posts, but do you really think this is some nefarious plot by the US FDA?  Well then, let them mandate your suggestions and see how long it takes certain folks to start shouting "freedom" and other slogans in fierce opposition.  I mean I'm old enough to remember the ongoing tug-of-wars to introduce healthier lunches in public schools.  Remember the days of "ketchup is a vegetable?"

 

[exlandlubber]

Hey folks!

I promise I hadn’t planned on starting such a controversy. I was just looking for a few ideas on places to purchase some healthier food. As it turns out, we have a delivery service in our area called “Local Fare” which specialises in produce that is in season and locally grown so we’re trying to improve our diets by adding more fruits and vegetables- always a good plan. Be well and happy cruising!

[Hambagahle]

On 9/8/2024 at 5:43 PM, Tsunami74 said:

What particularly alarms me is how in USA they are permitted to feed chickens (and other animals) hormones and antibiotics even if they are not sick to get them to grow faster.

So our children are consuming hormones and antibiotics with ever chicken nugget.

I pay the premium for chicken supposedly without hormones and antibiotics, but most don't, and I am pretty sure restaurants do not.

It is because of this that Switzerland will not allow the importation of US chickens and beef.   The hormones etc they are fed with in the US are illegal here...

 

[GeorgiaPeach51]

12 hours ago, KenzSailing said:

 

 

Really?  I am sorry, and I do enjoy your posts, but do you really think this is some nefarious plot by the US FDA?  Well then, let them mandate your suggestions and see how long it takes certain folks to start shouting "freedom" and other slogans in fierce opposition.  I mean I'm old enough to remember the ongoing tug-of-wars to introduce healthier lunches in public schools.  Remember the days of "ketchup is a vegetable?"

 

 

@KenzSailing  I respect your opinion!  I just think the FDA does a poor job of protecting the American consumer, particularly our children.  Articles like the ones below are the reason why….  The more consumers know, the more they can make wise decisions for themselves and for any children in their lives.  I would rather the FDA err on the side of too much oversight, as in their leniency regarding food colors, than on the side of being the only country that allows certain ingredients.  Now I’ll sign out of this discussion with apologies to all for bringing this aspect into the OP’s original post!  Joanie
 

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-additives/dangerous-ingredients-that-are-in-our-food-but-shouldnt-be-a4054710317/

 

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/food-additives-that-are-banned-in-europe-but-not-in-the-united-states/ar-AA1hkGCW
 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-food-additives-banned-europe-making-americans-sick-expert-says/

 

https://marketrealist.com/food-industry/us-foods-banned-other-countries/
 

https://www.today.com/health/safe-eat-common-ingredients-banned-other-countries-ok-here-2D79619825

 

 

 

 

 

[Hambagahle]

I think (not sure but you can say if it is true) that in the US chickens are usually raised in those "battery" things - cages stacked on top of each other ?    Here those are illegal and the chickens have to be allowed to roam free in a field (enclosed of course)  for at least part of the day.   Healthy animals = healthy food!