Explanation of how old eating habits and local culture can keep a person from eating properly, possibly resulting in heart problems - Strategies for Staying Healthy. Also refer to cheese, bratwurst, California, cholesterol, low fat, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
High-Fat Diets often from Local Culture
by Ron Kurtus (revised 18 February 2001)
Various areas in the world and in each country have different attitudes on diet. In the United States, the attitude toward healthy food is generally higher in California than in other states. In Wisconsin, the local culture seems to emphasize an unhealthy, high-fat diet.
Questions you may have about this are:
- Why should I care, if it tastes good?
- What are the attitude differences?
- Why don't people change?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson. Health Disclaimer
Avoiding health problems
Are you interested in maintaining your health and avoiding the major illnesses or maladies that plague people as they get older, such as heart attacks? Many people are concerned about their health, but they don't really take care of themselves.
For example, I know of several people who have heart attacks or by-pass surgery but yet continue eating the same foods that contributed to their problems. You might wonder why they would continue to eat that way.
I feel that a reason is that old habits die hard, especially when it comes to eating. The culture of the area is also an influence on the way people think. The following illustrates those points.
Examples in my family
I've seen several examples of the attitude toward diet in my own family.
California uncle gets message
When my uncle on my mother's side of the family had a heart attack at the age of 52, he made a change in his lifestyle. He quit smoking, and his wife made sure he watched his diet, avoiding the type of foods that caused cholesterol. He was fortunate to not get another heart attack until he died at 78. He also lived in California, where people are more food and health conscious.
Milwaukee uncle eats fat
On the other hand my uncle from my father's side has had two by-pass operations, but yet at a family picnic here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin he is eating fatty bratwursts, and his wife serves a creamy, cheese covered casserole. Good grief! Talk about cholesterol city!
Wisconsin is cholesterol state
Speaking of cholesterol city, the state foods of Wisconsin are cheese and bratwurst. When I was a kid no one ever ate bratwurst, but now everyone here eats it. Bratwurst essentially is a hot dog with gritty fat and spices added. Wisconsin ranks as one of the fattest state in America. I don't know how it ranks in heart attacks, though, but I'm sure it is up there.
Old habits and culture are the problems
You wonder why people continue to eat fatty cholesterol-laden foods, especially if they have had heart problems. One reason is that old habits die hard. If you are used to making and eating a certain type of food, it is difficult to change to something that may not taste as good as what you have been used to.
Another reason not to stop concerns the culture of the area. Wisconsin people just don't seem to be as health conscious when it comes to food as people in other parts of the United States. Emphasizing brats as the greatest thing to eat sends a message that it is good to eat.
Summary
Of course, not everyone keeps the old, unhealthy eating habits of their ancestors. Not everyone in Wisconsin eats fatty food, just like not everyone in California eats low-fat food. But I have seen enough people doing such things to make those generalizations.
Although we live in Wisconsin, we still try to avoid fatty foods and to maintain a healthy diet. You should too.
Be healthy, wealthy and wise
Resources
The following are resources on this subject.
Websites
Books
Top-rated
books on High Fat Food
Top-rated
books on General Health
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in being Healthy. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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High-Fat Diets often from Local Culture