It’s not just mass shootings you have to worry about in the US—there’s also the lettuce. A bad batch of iceberg could leave you sick with cyclosporiasis. Then there are the frozen blueberries, recently recalled because there was a “reasonable probability” they could “cause serious adverse health consequences or even death.” And the alfalfa sprouts that might carry salmonella. And the fruit bars that could be contaminated with glass. I could go on: foodborne illnesses have surged in the US this year, and food recalls have been making headlines.
Europe obviously isn’t immune to foodborne illnesses either. This summer, more than 200 people in the UK have fallen ill and one person has died from a salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs. Still, Europe is widely seen as having much stricter regulations and food policies than the US. There’s endless anecdotal evidence online from Americans who say that American bread and pasta make them feel bloated and sick, but they can eat whatever they want in Europe and feel great.
Podcaster Joe Rogan, for example, has said that pasta and bread “wreck” him in the US, but not in Italy. He pointed to US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s theory that heavily processed “enriched flour” in the US could be to blame. Social media is full of people making similar claims. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal published a piece called My Secret Diet is a Trip to Europe, featuring Americans who lost weight while eating their way across the continent.
I’m about as qualified to comment on this as RFK Jr, so here’s my personal theory: for most of these Americans, I think it’s less about the food and more about the fact that they’re walking a lot more on vacation than they do at home. People in the US look at me like I must be either broke or deeply eccentric when I tell them I don’t have a car. Outside of a few cities, you can’t really walk anywhere in the US because there are no sidewalks and the infrastructure is unfriendly to pedestrians. In the 1920s, the auto industry even pushed for “jaywalking” laws to make crossing the road illegal and paint pedestrians as foolish simpletons. I’m no scientist, but I think my theory has some merit. Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the premise of the article covering the European Weight Loss Phenomenon from curious beginners to seasoned travelers
Beginner Questions
1 What is this I lose weight in Europe thing everyone is talking about
Its a common observation often shared on social media where Americans notice they drop a few pounds during a trip to Europe without even trying The article suggests its not magicits about how daily life is structured differently
2 Is it just about eating less bread and pasta
No Actually Europeans eat plenty of bread and pasta The article argues its less about what you eat and more about how you eat and move Its the combination of walking portion sizes and food quality
3 Do Europeans have some secret diet pill
No secret pills The secret is systemic Its about urban design food regulations and cultural habits
4 Is it true that European food has fewer chemicals
Yes generally The article points out that the EU bans or restricts many food additives and pesticides that are still legal in the US This can affect how your body processes food and feels after eating
5 Will I definitely lose weight if I go to Paris for a weekend
Not necessarily A weekend of croissants and wine might not do it The effect is usually seen over a longer trip where youre walking 10000 steps a day and eating regularly scheduled meals
Advanced Analytical Questions
6 The article says I think I know why What is the main theory behind the weight loss
The main theory is that American weight gain is tied to hyperpalatable foodshighly processed combinations of sugar salt and fat that override your satiety signals In Europe these foods are less prevalent and the default environment makes it easier to eat intuitively
7 Is the weight loss mostly from water weight or actual fat
Initially it can be water weight due to lower sodium and carbohydrate intake However over a 2week trip the caloric deficit from walking and lower intake of processed foods leads to real fat loss
