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Staying fit in LatAm
08-10-2011, 04:38 PM
Quote: (08-10-2011 03:55 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:
"Brazil and Argentina use the same ranching and farming methods as the United States."
Why does food taste more "real" there?
Update:
"the meat in brazil and argentina is free range beef, which means that they move around feeding on grass"
So which is it?
It's easy to get confused because the change from free range to feedlot is so sudden.
Even as late as the early 2000's grass-fed beef was 96% (an article I read that was published in 2002 states only 4% was feedlot beef) of the beef in Brazil. Whether its feedlot or grass-fed, Brazil produces a hell of a lot of beef. They even exported beef to the US during the mad cow scare. Now it's considerably less. I'm not sure of the exact figures, but it's definitely not anywhere near 96% free range grass fed beef anymore.
It takes a good amount of initial investment to build the feedlots, but once they are built, it is easier and cheaper to produce bigger, fatter cows on less land. Way more efficent when you're talking about profit. So all of a sudden, the percentage of beef that is produced in feedlots skyrockets within a couple of years.
Why do you think America does it? And Brazilian farmers/ranchers are producing cows to feed Brazilians beef with a better fat profile? No they do it for profit.
Hope this cleared things up.
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Staying fit in LatAm
08-10-2011, 04:50 PM
To get back to the thread, I think you'll do fine with losing weight if you pick an activity like dancing, capoeira, BJJ, boxing, lift a couple times a week, and eat with some common sense (low-fat meats, nuts, vegetables, limited amount of simple carbs, limited amount of fruits, lots of water) and limit your drinking.
The main thing here is that you're probably going to be WALKING everywhere as opposed to being stuck in your car or sitting on your ass at work for hours a day.
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Staying fit in LatAm
08-10-2011, 05:04 PM
Quote: (08-10-2011 04:58 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:
Thanks.
Why do you think food tastes better in Argentina (and other countries) than American then? (produce, meat etc).
I realize this question is subjective.
However, I always notice food tastes more "real" in other countries.
And I am not comparing it to grocery store crap in America only. Farmers markets in America also.
Thoughts?
Possibly a placebo effect? Maybe a different breed of cow? Freshness of produce since America imports a lot of produce and LatAm countries' produce is domestic(fruit can ripen on the vine as opposed to ripening in shipping crates)? Or maybe (the most likely explation) you're so happy with being surrounded by all the hot, in-shape latinas as opposed to fat attitude-riddled American chicks that your senses are heightened and EVERYTHING in life seems better.
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Staying fit in LatAm
08-10-2011, 10:33 PM
In the EU they have strict standards when it comes to beef production. In South America, not so much. I would say it is less regulated than the US. They pump their cattle full of steroids and antibiotics as well. I would venture to say the taste difference is due to the different breed of cattle.
It's a bit naive to believe that the technologies available to US farmers that make food production less costly and more profitable are not used by farmers and ranchers abroad.
I agree with the posters above who talk about car culture and processed foods being the main contributers to obesity in the US, but when it comes to produce and butchered meats, the US isn't all that bad. Imported fruits and veggies may not taste as good because they are ripened in shipping crates as opposed to while they are still living (fruits) and aren't as crisp or fresh because of the time it takes to reach your mouth because of transport.
Anyway, I wouldn't worry about all that in Latin America, because you can find a lot of fresh, locally grown produce in the markets as GMan mentioned. Steroids found in meats aren't as big of a deal as media makes it out to be, as it affects women more than men. If it's a huge deal to you, stick to wild caught fish and free-range, steroid free meats. I'm sure you can find those if you ask around enough in South America as well.
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Staying fit in LatAm
08-11-2011, 02:09 PM
I have lived in Mexico and Colombia, as far as the cuisine goes, they've totally different.
Mexico is about as fat as the US is. Colombia is far slimmer. If you eat the local diet in Mexico, you will get huge, and they eat a TON of salt. Colombians also love their salt (though not quite as much as Mexicans) but their normal diet leaves them quite slim.
In both places normal self control will help keep you slim. All throughout Latin America there is a huge variety of fruits/vegetables/legumes and grains to eat to keep healthy, and deep fried isn't a common option for anything.
Hell, many American friends in Mexico LOST weight without trying. They all contributed it to eating more natural food and less processed stuff. They continued to eat whatever they wanted and drink frequently.
Honestly, I don't think you'll have any problem, if you can live in the US without getting fat you can do it anywhere. I would get someone who knows about food to go grocery shopping with you a few times to help introduce you to new types of food so that you won't be lost and resort to just eating out all the time.