We're number 5, we're number 5!!

Hanley · 18-08-2014 07:10PM #1

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2722815/Daily-calorie-intake-countries-world-revealed-surprise-U-S-tops-list-3-770.html

Apparently 3,500+ is the Irish daily kcal intake on average.

That's 50% over WADA recommended amount.

Discuss.

cmyk · 18-08-2014 07:52PM

Hanley wrote: »

Discuss.

Just tells us what we already know really? An overconsumption of calories is making us fat and unhealthy.

Carbo-phobes will argue all those extra calories are coming from carbohydrate and fat-phobes, fats. I'm pretty sure there's been studies in the states into the ratios though, and iirc it's pretty even across macros.

deadlybuzzman · 18-08-2014 08:26PM

I remember when I was a kid hearing a study (a flawed one no doubt) stating that Ireland had the highest calorie intake of any country but that as so many people working in manual jobs we didn't have a particularly high obesity rate.
Oh how times have changed.

18-08-2014 11:03PM

Meh, it's pretty obvious in many circles that I move in that portion control, particularly when it comes to bread/spuds is a big issue. The rate that Ireland has gotten fatter also means a somewhat warped perception of what "skinny" actually means to some of those of a certain age.

Zamboni · 18-08-2014 11:59PM

There is no hope for them. Seriously.
Irish people think all medical / health issues are some form of negative pot luck lottery.
There is almost zero connection between sleep/diet/exercise/mental and health issues in the Irish psyche.

They are too busy gorging on food and gorging on choice online content
such as..

http://www.evoke.ie/the-clay-diet-latest-slimming-detox-craze-sweeping-hollywood/

http://www.her.ie/life/beetroot-this-weeks-detox-superfood-to-add-to-your-shopping-list/

They are beyond help at any serious scale - you might have some luck rehabilitating a handful of positive disciples but on a macro level you'd want some serious famine or natural disaster.

The government agencies aren't worth a boll0x - we all know that from the superb safefood thread from yonder.

I get sh1t off them whilst I'm eating broccolli and chicken whilst they're plowing into King crisps, pot noodle and a star bar. (sample from a pregnant colleague)

Fvck 'em.
All my sympathy and empathy has reluctantly been worn down over the years to zero.

I'm going to sit back and watch my shares in companies providing oversize medical equipment rocket :-)

[/rant]

19-08-2014 12:03AM

Zamboni wrote: »

The government agencies aren't worth a boll0x - we all know that from the superb safefood thread from yonder.

As I've said before, the effectiveness of information is key. The food pyramid has failed and a repackaging of the fairly basic information (I don't even think tweaking the information is important) is needed.

Rough Sleeper · 19-08-2014 12:11AM

WHO I think you mean? WADA are the guys who sorta kinda not really try to catch people out for doping.

Even given our growing weight problem, something seems very, very off about about this, doesn't it? Imma look into it.

Zamboni · 19-08-2014 12:22AM

Rough Sleeper wrote: »

WHO I think you mean? WADA are the guys who sorta kinda not really try to catch people out for doping.

We're probably over their recommended intake too.
I'm looking at you Athletics Ireland o_O

Mellor · 19-08-2014 12:33AM

Rough Sleeper wrote: »

Even given our growing weight problem, something seems very, very off about about this, doesn't it? Imma look into it.

What seems off about an average intake of 3,500 kcal and a growing weight problem? The two go hand in hand.

Dermighty · 19-08-2014 03:40AM

Zamboni wrote: »

There is no hope for them. Seriously.
Irish people think all medical / health issues are some form of negative pot luck lottery.
There is almost zero connection between sleep/diet/exercise/mental and health issues in the Irish psyche.

They are too busy gorging on food and gorging on choice online content
such as..

http://www.evoke.ie/the-clay-diet-latest-slimming-detox-craze-sweeping-hollywood/

http://www.her.ie/life/beetroot-this-weeks-detox-superfood-to-add-to-your-shopping-list/

+1

Most of the food I buy doesn't come in a packet.

Mellor · 19-08-2014 03:47AM

Dermighty wrote: »

Most of the food I buy doesn't come in a packet.

Most of the carrots I buy are orange.

I've a feeling you and I aren't the issue here.

Remmy · 19-08-2014 08:47AM

Agreed on portion control on carbs like bread and potatoes being a big issue. I also think people greatly overestimate their calorie expenditure when doing daily activities, i.e I went for a 20 min stroll so I can eat this plate of spuds with 4 tablespoons of butter and craploads of salt. Also anyone from a rural background hear the phrase " a grand healthy sized chap" when someone is pretty much obese but tall and blocky?

cletus van damme · 19-08-2014 09:15AM

always the same - ireland being the nearly men.

just like the summer olympics - always near the top but lacking the "je ne sais quoi" to clinch the gold.

cletus van damme · 19-08-2014 09:38AM

Remmy wrote: »

Agreed on portion control on carbs like bread and potatoes being a big issue. I also think people greatly overestimate their calorie expenditure when doing daily activities, i.e I went for a 20 min stroll so I can eat this plate of spuds with 4 tablespoons of butter and craploads of salt. Also anyone from a rural background hear the phrase " a grand healthy sized chap" when someone is pretty much obese but tall and blocky?

blaming spuds and butter is horse****.
Ireland has only a recent obseity problem - mountains of spuds and butter have been a stable for a lot longer.
I know from older family living in good health and fitness into their 90s that mountains of spuds/bread/butter (often demonised) have no ill effects.
The overall calorie intake is a problem - but foods like spuds are not.

There is no one problem / solution.
The problem is multi layered and that's why the solution is hard.

I blame many things but essentially it boils down to lifestyle choices.
But one bug bear of mine that is a factor (i believe) and isn't ever mentioned is the drive for cheap food .
and the desire to eat it.

nice_guy80 · 19-08-2014 09:47AM

cletus van damme wrote: »

blaming spuds and butter is horse****.
Ireland has only a recent obseity problem - mountains of spuds and butter have been a stable for a lot longer.
I know from older family living in good health and fitness into their 90s that mountains of spuds/bread/butter (often demonised) have no ill effects.
The overall calorie intake is a problem - but foods like spuds are not.

There is no one problem / solution.
The problem is multi layered and that's why the solution is hard.

I blame many things but essentially it boils down to lifestyle choices.
But one bug bear of mine that is a factor (i believe) and isn't ever mentioned is the drive for cheap food .
and the desire to eat it.

coke and white bread.
pizza. crap food.
check out the shopping trolleys next time you are at a supermarket.

Skrynesaver · 19-08-2014 09:47AM

cletus van damme wrote: »

...
But one bug bear of mine that is a factor (i believe) and isn't ever mentioned is the drive for cheap food .
and the desire to eat it.

The marketing need to make cheap calories palatable with cheap fats and sugars is certainly a factor in the quality of the national diet.

There's a hell of a difference between carrying a sledge, wire, staples and posts around every field, repairing fences and sitting down to mound of spuds as opposed to driving to the office, sitting down, driving home again and sitting down to a mound of spuds... Our live (on average) are more sedentary so we need to modify our diet and maybe get a bit of exercise after/before work if we're in a sedentary role.

nice_guy80 · 19-08-2014 09:52AM

Skrynesaver wrote: »

The marketing need to make cheap calories palatable with cheap fats and sugars is certainly a factor in the quality of the national diet.

There's a hell of a difference between carrying a sledge, wire, staples and posts around every field, repairing fences and sitting down to mound of spuds as opposed to driving to the office, sitting down, driving home again and sitting down to a mound of spuds... Our live (on average) are more sedentary so we need to modify our diet and maybe get a bit of exercise after/before work if we're in a sedentary role.

but sure the table spreads and yoghurts are low fat, the blackcurrant drink is 'sugar free', the bread has added vitamins, special k makes you able to wear a nice red dress.
Where are we going wrong??

cletus van damme · 19-08-2014 09:52AM

nice_guy80 wrote: »

coke and white bread.
pizza. crap food.
check out the shopping trolleys next time you are at a supermarket.

I'm not allowed shop , i leave a list and my missus does it.
But i take your point.

Skrynesaver wrote: »

The marketing need to make cheap calories palatable with cheap fats and sugars is certainly a factor in the quality of the national diet.

There's a hell of a difference between carrying a sledge, wire, staples and posts around every field, repairing fences and sitting down to mound of spuds as opposed to driving to the office, sitting down, driving home again and sitting down to a mound of spuds... Our live (on average) are more sedentary so we need to modify our diet and maybe get a bit of exercise after/before work if we're in a sedentary role.

I know what you are saying - however I work in an office at the moment , big multi national and my trademen friends/acquainances are fatter than most of the 1000's in my office block.
Funnily walking through dublin early morning most of the formally dressed people are in farily decent nick - it is something I do notice.

It's more than one issue but I'd stand over the cheap food as a primarily culprit.

papu · 19-08-2014 10:10AM

cletus van damme wrote: »

It's more than one issue but I'd stand over the cheap food as a primarily culprit.

Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, etc do very cheap Veg.

The problem is very cheap $hite food.

nice_guy80 · 19-08-2014 10:12AM

cletus van damme wrote: »

I'm not allowed shop , i leave a list and my missus does it.
But i take your point.

I know what you are saying - however I work in an office at the moment , big multi national and my trademen friends/acquainances are fatter than most of the 1000's in my office block.
Funnily walking through dublin early morning most of the formally dressed people are in farily decent nick - it is something I do notice.

It's more than one issue but I'd stand over the cheap food as a primarily culprit.

leave a list and she does it? You have it cushty...

seriously though, a bit of time working on a till in a supermarket or even packing the bags for charity would open your eyes to amount of crap people buy.

rubadub · 19-08-2014 10:15AM

I'd be interested in how they got the figures. wiki have us at 13

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_food_energy_intake

and they also mention

However the actual food consumption may be lower than the quantity shown as food availability depending on the magnitude of wastage and losses of food in the household, e.g. during storage, in preparation and cooking, as plate-waste or quantities fed to domestic animals and pets, thrown or given away

We probably have a lot higher alcohol intake than other countries and it is said not to cause weight gain like food does in heavy drinkers. I certainly find this myself, if 3500kcal of excess calories did cause 1lb weight gain I wouldn't be able to walk.

Good to see them mention restaurant portions being huge, and how gym machines overestimate calorie usage.

Sala · 19-08-2014 10:24AM

nice_guy80 wrote: »

leave a list and she does it? You have it cushty...

seriously though, a bit of time working on a till in a supermarket or even packing the bags for charity would open your eyes to amount of crap people buy.

I saw a dad with two kids the other day in Tesco and I hope they were having a party as there was at least 8 2ltr bottles of fizzy drink and 6 pizzas in his trolley, among other things, but no fruit or veg at all that I could see.

How is 200 cals burned in 2.5 minutes jumping jacks or running up and down stairs??

Remmy · 19-08-2014 10:29AM

cletus van damme wrote: »

blaming spuds and butter is horse****.
Ireland has only a recent obseity problem - mountains of spuds and butter have been a stable for a lot longer.
I know from older family living in good health and fitness into their 90s that mountains of spuds/bread/butter (often demonised) have no ill effects.
The overall calorie intake is a problem - but foods like spuds are not.

There is no one problem / solution.
The problem is multi layered and that's why the solution is hard.

I blame many things but essentially it boils down to lifestyle choices.
But one bug bear of mine that is a factor (i believe) and isn't ever mentioned is the drive for cheap food .
and the desire to eat it.

I wasn't really talking about the health effects of eating carb sources with lots of butter but rather the fact that In my experience the people eating these kind of things didn't earn them by doing physical activity to need all those calories and therefore they get fat.

I also can remember mates of mine from secondary school having massive fry ups etc every morning and hearty meals at lunch and dinner with boat loads of butter etc. They were in great shape because of sports and farmwork. Imo I don't think that is a good way to eat if someones physical activity level is very low which I also see.

cletus van damme · 19-08-2014 10:32AM

papu wrote: »

Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, etc do very cheap Veg.

The problem is very cheap $hite food.

you are right but I think you are being purposely obtuse.

although I'm not overly knowledgeable on food science I'd wager that a blanket "fruit/veg being great for you" statement isnt't true either and farming/production methods have some bearing on the nutrition.

ford2600 · 19-08-2014 10:33AM

rubadub wrote: »

We probably have a lot higher alcohol intake than other countries and it is said not to cause weight gain like food does in heavy drinkers. I certainly find this myself, if 3500kcal of excess calories did cause 1lb weight gain I wouldn't be able to walk.

How come you don't get burned at stake on here for that heresy?

nice_guy80 · 19-08-2014 10:44AM

ford2600 wrote: »

How come you don't get burned at stake on here for that heresy?

Kids don't drink alcohol though.
so whats happening there?

ford2600 · 19-08-2014 10:55AM

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Kids don't drink alcohol though.
so whats happening there?

It was a joke!

papu · 19-08-2014 11:10AM

cletus van damme wrote: »

you are right but I think you are being purposely obtuse.

although I'm not overly knowledgeable on food science I'd wager that a blanket "fruit/veg being great for you" statement isnt't true either and farming/production methods have some bearing on the nutrition.

My point was that Fruit and Veg > Eurosaver Menu.
The problem really is people making the wrong choices , and whats worse are parents making the wrong choices for their children , I'm sure we're top10 for childhood obesity too.

Ralphdejones · 19-08-2014 11:14AM

As the celtic tiger and property pyramid scheme fiasco proved, Irish people are among the greediest on the planet, it seems to be in our DNA.

Ralphdejones · 19-08-2014 11:22AM

Food has become too cheap relatively speaking, especially junk foods.
People on low incomes can afford to fill their house with food and eat all day if they so wish, its one of the few things they can indulge in. This was never the way until recent years.

Junk type foods should be more heavily taxed, and fresh locally produced healthy foods should be better supported.

Zamboni · 19-08-2014 11:24AM

nice_guy80 wrote: »

coke and white bread.
pizza. crap food.
check out the shopping trolleys next time you are at a supermarket.

Now you're talking.
I'm sick to death of people telling me they eat healthy and lots of vegetables blah, blah, blah.
Spend an hour looking at the checkout counters in any supermarket in the country - that's the truth.

Supermarkets have a ratio of about 5 processed food aisles for every one fresh unadulterated produce.

We're number 5, we're number 5!!

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