How Can Foreign Students keep from Getting fat in America?

[quietGuy13]

This is one of the concerns and stuff that foreign girls have talked to me about. They often say the've gained 5KG or whatever since they arrived at America.

 

Most of their homestay parents are the sadly, overweight types who feed them pies, cakes, fast food everyday.

 

And these girls are not used to standing up for themselves and saying "no thank you". They jsut won't do it. In fact, some of them drink always when offered in their country cause they just can't say no. It's part of their culture. Many women are shy or whatever.

 

Anyways, now i have 3 friends who said they've become really gained weight since they came to America.

 

I told them there ARE ways to be healthy in America but i don't know how i can help them with it if they live with a Junk food loving host family.

 

Is there a way they can live healthy in America?

 

I'm in good shape because although my parents bring in cakes and stuff and junk food, i often skip it by saying "no thanks". And i exercise too.

So i know, it can be done even in America..

 

what do you guys think?

 

The girl i went on a date with really changed from her pictures when she first arrived in America and after being here for a few months already. Her host mother made junk food everyday. she told me.

[Els]

The sad thing about Western culture is that the most popular (and cheapest) foods are the deep fried and greasy stuff. Especially if you're living in someone else's home, it's rude to dictate what they serve you IMO. It's different with your own parents whom you're more familiar with.

[denise_xo]

I gained a lot of weight as well when I lived with a host family in the US. But part of it was a bit of indulgence on my own part but I agree with Elswyth, you can't really dictate what people feed you when you are a guest in their home. I guess the girls could offer to cook for the family once or twice a week, and make something healthy.

[oldguy]

I know a host family and my understanding is there are choices & compatibility screenings. In fact this family had a girl from a particular European country who tried to get away with crap because she claimed that is how it is done in her country. They finally told her how she was going to do things here

 

What amazes me is the perception people have of the U.S. They think it's all the same, all over the entire country. It's NOT! It's 50 individual States with varying laws and many areas are largely influenced by the cultures of the people who originally settle in them or who now occupy them. We are not all the same, the U.S. is as diverse a country as any on this planet.

 

There are places I've lived where people do not eat the same sort of food as other places I've lived. If you come to the U.S. & eat the same fast food you can get ALL over the rest of the world now, that is your poor choice & you are missing out on an opportunity to experience the diversity that the U.S. has to offer. And I think that is sad. After all, that's why she's coming here. like denise XO said, indulge a bit & experience. When I've travel abroad I see as much as I can of the area I'm in & sampled the foods! even when I was in the military.

 

I know a lot of people who have migrated here from other parts of the glob & have not gotten fat.

Edited July 7, 2011 by oldguy

[Els]

Hahah, I know I put on 10lbs when I went to a Western country for several months. Although that was probably because we were crazy short on funds and I ate $4 fish & chips more than I should've...

[D-Lish]

My exH began working in the US (we are Canadian)- and he put on a good 10lbs in a few months. Because of his job he lived out of a Hotel and ate his meals out. He was astounded by the portion sizes at first, but admitted he slowly go used to it and at some point found himself finishing his plate. He lost the weight afterward.

 

When I go to my parents place in Florida- I am always so turned off by how much food they put in front of me at restaurants. A lot of the time it's double what I'd get in a restaurant here in Canada.

[tman666]

Boo f*cking hoo.

 

A calorie is a calorie. Learn the basics of nutrition, work out and have some self control, and you can get along just fine here in 'Merica.

[thehead]

...A lot of the time it's double what I'd get in a restaurant here in Canada...

 

Good to know so I can order double when I visit your country. I've always needed to eat a lot to maintain my weight.

 

OP, there are plenty of fit, healthy people in the U.S.. It's within any individual's control to make good choices. Your friends are just as capable as you are of saying "no thanks" to junk food. I doubt their host families live on nothing but processed, pre-prepared foods.

[Sugarkane]

I've heard that the portion sizes are much larger in America, compared to else where. When People come from other countries may not be used to eating that much. And if you stay with a host family, you're eating what they eat.

 

On the flipside if you're in the entertainment industry in L.A, many female models/ actresses have a massive pressure to be a size 0.

[denise_xo]

I've heard that the portion sizes are much larger in America, compared to else where.

 

Yes, they are. It's very nice for occasional indulgence, though