It's the second week of our holiday in Florida and I am already several inches wider than I was when I got here. It really isn't difficult to gain weight here. Obviously you treat yourself more when you are on holiday but that isn't the only problem. The thing about Florida that I have found is the abundance of good bad food and the lack of good good food.
I will explain . . .
We have been to several restaurants this week and although I haven't been overly conscious of my 'bad' food intake I do try and make sure that JC gets his 5 a day and doesn't eat too much junk. There really isn't much choice for a main meal beyond hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders and pizza. All of which I am sure have enough salt in them to make you float.
The funny moment comes when I ask the waiter if I can have a fruit salad for JC. It's not on the menu but I don't see it as a huge ask. They look at me like I have just asked them for rare oysters with a side of candy floss but as they are so helpful in the U S of A the waiter offers to pop out to the local shop to get some for me! This wasn't a one off and I am extremely surprised by the lack of healthy options available for kids as well as adults.
I saw a little girl about 3 years old today who was shopping with her very overweight mother. I smiled at her then my eyes were drawn to her legs. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor wee soul who could barely walk as her legs were covered in thick rolls of fat. Her feet couldn't fit in her shoes properly and were bulging over the top. It was a hot day and she looked so uncomfortable. I can totally understand why people are overweight living here as the portions are enormous, the food deliciously unhealthy and the access to food is 24hours a day. However, you don't need to eat it all, you don't need to accept what is on the menu, the more people who demand healthier options the more available it will become. Sometimes I feel like the UK is a bit OTT when it comes to healthy eating but I'd rather have that than the supersize mentality that seems to be the norm here.
*disclaimer - this is based on my limited experience of Florida and the restaurants I have visited so I am generalising. There will, I'm sure, be healthier restaurants and not all American children are obese. I did visit a lovely restaurant tonight called Bahama Breeze who served JC with yummy broccoli and fruit salad (alongside some greasy chicken tenders but we will turn a blind eye to that!)
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Liska's wonderful blog
