Health Warning To Fellow Farangs!

[pomozki]

I'm 57yo but my health has always been very good. I exercise regularly and eat veggies, salads, muesli and fruit every day. I very rarely eat western fried breakfasts or fatty red meats and I NEVER go to KFC or McDonalds.
After 18 months in Thailand I recently had a thorough health check-up and to my horror, found that the level of triglycerides (saturated fats) in my blood had soared to a high level (225) and some fatty spots were found on my liver and needed monitoring.
The doctor told me to stop eating junk food. I told her I didn't - so she asked about my diet and threw up her arms in horror when I mentioned daily "kao man gai" (chicken and rice). I always thought this was OK (breast of chicken and rice - I have it in a soup) but it turns out the rice is oily and the soup is full of fatty chicken skin (unlike overseas). I stopped eating it immediately. Also cut down on my 2 portions of rice a day to 1 portion.

Just had a repeat test 3 months on - the tri level was almost the same (215) - now it turns out I shouldn't be eating the "pad pree ken" (stir fried curry and chili) because the sauce is full of coconut milk, or sweet and sour anything or any instant noodles (worst of the lot)

Sure, a small amount of bad food can't be bad for you, considering I eat mostly good stuff - but my results were dramatically bad after a lifetime of good health - I wonder how many other farangs think they're healthy and maybe aren't!

I feel great and no bad symptoms yet - now I'm on pills to lower the fat levels and cutting out most of the above

Moral of the story - you only have to look at deep fried western food and we know it's obviously bad for us - but so is a lot of Thai food. The only difference is that bad stuff is just better hidden.

anyone else with any thoughts?

[farang000999]

lucky for you that it is just the fatty food and not sodium!

[DiamondKing]

Fk that shit dont eat this don't eat that excercise yada yada yada I really dont care I see super fit people dropping down dead on footbal fields my gran smoked like a trooper ate bacon and eggs every day and lived to a rip old age of 83 my Dad smokes like a trooper drinks every single day eats a good english diet and for as long as I can remember and is 70 years old, I really think if you worry about what to eat you wont be able to eat or do anything cant drink etc etc whats the point life is for living not worrying about what your eating every minute and you are a prime example, your trying hard and you still found out your not healthy

If your time is up mate its up no matter how it is coming and for me I am going to enjoy every day eat what I like and if I peg it so be it I have had a great life and i don't have to eat like a rabbit

Im off to MCDonalds for Big Mac and Fries

Edited March 11, 2013 by DiamondKing

[JaiLai]

Yes, a lot of people are under the impression Thai food is very healthy but in reality a lot of it is fried and a lot contains various oils, it's very tastey though!

[cup-O-coffee]

I have only thoughts. I don't know your family history. Pay attention to what your mum, dad, and grands had, if any. Get a second check up and don't tell em a thing about what this doc said.

You might also want to consider supplementing your RDA with B1, B6 and B12, as well as magnesium, Lecithin, and pantothenic acid, among others. These will help take care of the absorption and eliminate the collection of these foreign bodies in your system.

Frankly, you sound alright to me; just a bit overly concerned is all.

[billd766]

Fk that shit dont eat this don't eat that excercise yada yada yada I really dont care I see super fit people dropping down dead on footbal fields my gran smoked like a trooper ate bacon and eggs every day and lived to a rip old age of 83 my Dad smokes like a trooper drinks every single day eats a good english diet and for as long as I can remember and is 70 years old, I really think if you worry about what to eat you wont be able to eat or do anything cant drink etc etc whats the point life is for living not worrying about what your eating every minute and you are a prime example, your trying hard and you still found out your not healthy

If your time is up mate its up no matter how it is coming and for me I am going to enjoy every day eat what I like and if I peg it so be it I have had a great life and i don't have to eat like a rabbit

Im off to MCDonalds for Big Mac and Fries

I would go as well but McDs is 170 km away from me.

Oh well I will just have to eat beff Masaman curry with no rice or peanuts made by my own fair hands.

[phuturatica]

Fk that shit dont eat this don't eat that excercise yada yada yada I really dont care I see super fit people dropping down dead on footbal fields my gran smoked like a trooper ate bacon and eggs every day and lived to a rip old age of 83 my Dad smokes like a trooper drinks every single day eats a good english diet and for as long as I can remember and is 70 years old, I really think if you worry about what to eat you wont be able to eat or do anything cant drink etc etc whats the point life is for living not worrying about what your eating every minute and you are a prime example, your trying hard and you still found out your not healthy

If your time is up mate its up no matter how it is coming and for me I am going to enjoy every day eat what I like and if I peg it so be it I have had a great life and i don't have to eat like a rabbit

Im off to MCDonalds for Big Mac and Fries

You need to learn to use punctuation properly!

It's your own choice what you choose to do with your life with regards to your diet. The OP is obviously conscious of their diet and health, where as you are obviously not!

I have never found Thai food to be exactly healthy. I've gained a lot of weight since living in Thailand...

[Felt 35]

No thoughts needed for me personally. I can confirm what your saying. When I came here my triglycerid and cholestrol levels was to laugh off but now they are on dangerous high levels. I do a check up with two years intervalls between and have recently been warned by my doctor. I have however always eaten what I want and never been even thinking about triglycerids or cholestrol do to a healthy and active lifestyle but now with help of my wife the daily menu is changed totally.

[rct99q]

Well, okay then. I happen to like a lot of the rabbit food here. In fact since moving here 4 years ago I have lost nearly 30 kg (was a tad heavy when I moved here) strictly through a better diet.

My family is very aware of the fact I do not eat msg (ie rot dee), or use a lot of oil, or use a lot of sugar, or use a lot of salt, or use a lot of coconut milk. All of which in moderation is "okay". But we eat a lot of vegetables which I love and have slowly stopped using the flavor enhancers and sauces.

But good luck to you.

[pattayadingo]

Have you never watched them cooking this type of food? Never seen what they put in it?

I prefer home cooking any day of the week. You can't beat it and you know what is in it. Get the pans out and start cooking for yourself.

Some people are pre-disposed to excess cholesterol that they produce naturally - we all produce cholesterol but the majority do so within tolerances. But add a lot of Thai food to a body that produces too much fat in the first place and you are looing for trouble.

[DiamondKing]

Fk that shit dont eat this don't eat that excercise yada yada yada I really dont care I see super fit people dropping down dead on footbal fields my gran smoked like a trooper ate bacon and eggs every day and lived to a rip old age of 83 my Dad smokes like a trooper drinks every single day eats a good english diet and for as long as I can remember and is 70 years old, I really think if you worry about what to eat you wont be able to eat or do anything cant drink etc etc whats the point life is for living not worrying about what your eating every minute and you are a prime example, your trying hard and you still found out your not healthy

If your time is up mate its up no matter how it is coming and for me I am going to enjoy every day eat what I like and if I peg it so be it I have had a great life and i don't have to eat like a rabbit

Im off to MCDonalds for Big Mac and Fries

You need to learn to use punctuation properly!

Err cant be arsed with that either

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

if you want to have lower triglycerides try cutting down on all plant sugars (carbohydrates) and exercise more.

Tryglercides are mostly from eating more energy than you burning.

[DiamondKing]

Well, okay then. I happen to like a lot of the rabbit food here. In fact since moving here 4 years ago I have lost nearly 30 kg (was a tad heavy when I moved here) strictly through a better diet.

My family is very aware of the fact I do not eat msg (ie rot dee), or use a lot of oil, or use a lot of sugar, or use a lot of salt, or use a lot of coconut milk. All of which in moderation is "okay". But we eat a lot of vegetables which I love and have slowly stopped using the flavor enhancers and sauces.

But good luck to you.

That is great for you, I'm a fat bastard and could do with losing 30 Kilos I don't eat too much sugar (cos I don't like it) but I do eat anything that tastes good, I am in very good health, I dont smoke (cos I don't like it not because its not healthy) I do drink a couple times a week heavily (cos I like it) and that is how I choose to live my life and I will die a happy man if its today or 20 years from now

[pomozki]

I have only thoughts. I don't know your family history. Pay attention to what your mum, dad, and grands had, if any. Get a second check up and don't tell em a thing about what this doc said.

You might also want to consider supplementing your RDA with B1, B6 and B12, as well as magnesium, Lecithin, and pantothenic acid, among others. These will help take care of the absorption and eliminate the collection of these foreign bodies in your system.

Frankly, you sound alright to me; just a bit overly concerned is all.

you're right - actually my health is still very good - I just think many of us are fooled into thinking we're healthy just cos we avoid Maccas and KFC

[Jingthing]

Yes modern Thai food is often very unhealthy.

BTW, standard muesli is definitely not a low fat food.

[arthurwait]

Mcdonalds and KFC are probably healthier and have more nutrition than most Thai street food.

Think about it. Chicken skin is pure cholestoral same as squid and most non-fish seafood served with tiny bits of meat which are usually the fat and skin deep fried first in high cholestoral oil. All either fried again in lots of high cholestoral oil or like the OP says in water flavoured by animal fat or served in very high cholestoral coconut milk or just plain deep fried.

Served with none or very little vegetables with have often sat cooking in liquid all day having all the vitamins removed and either high starch rice or dried noodles which are dehydrated by deep frying them at the factory.

At least mcdonalds actually has sonme meat and potatoes. Not saying it's healthy at all but better than most street food.

[samtam]

The OP doesn't say whether he drinks alcohol, but that too brings up the triglycerides.

[pomozki]

Yes modern Thai food is often very unhealthy.

BTW, standard muesli is definitely not a low fat food.

haha, thanks for the tip!

[pomozki]

The OP doesn't say whether he drinks alcohol, but that too brings up the triglycerides.

OK, I have about 5 large bottles of Chang/Leo a week

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

It's a big misconception about what Triglycerides are.

All your excess consumed energy are converted to triglycerides which is how the body shuttles around fatty acids. Also when your body is burning stored fats then body fat is converted to Triglycerides to transport for burning.

It's not saturated fat.

Often its excess carbohydrates in the diet. In general carbs are empty calories in terms of nutrient density. It's easiest to cut carbs without becoming nutrient deficient. Cut fats and proteins and keep carbs high then that is often a very low nutrient diet.

What are triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body. They're also present in blood plasma and, in association with cholesterol, form the plasma lipids.

Triglycerides in plasma are derived from fats eaten in foods or made in the body from other energy sources like carbohydrates. Calories ingested in a meal and not used immediately by tissues are converted to triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored. Hormones regulate the release of triglycerides from fat tissue so they meet the body's needs for energy between meals.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/Triglycerides_UCM_306029_Article.jsp

[brewsterbudgen]

I eat what I like. Moo krob is a particular favourite!

[pomozki]

Fk that shit dont eat this don't eat that excercise yada yada yada I really dont care I see super fit people dropping down dead on footbal fields my gran smoked like a trooper ate bacon and eggs every day and lived to a rip old age of 83 my Dad smokes like a trooper drinks every single day eats a good english diet and for as long as I can remember and is 70 years old, I really think if you worry about what to eat you wont be able to eat or do anything cant drink etc etc whats the point life is for living not worrying about what your eating every minute and you are a prime example, your trying hard and you still found out your not healthy

If your time is up mate its up no matter how it is coming and for me I am going to enjoy every day eat what I like and if I peg it so be it I have had a great life and i don't have to eat like a rabbit

Im off to MCDonalds for Big Mac and Fries

btw, it would help if you read what I'd posted - I never said I wasn't healthy. I'm just interested in staying healthy. For every story "my gran ate rubbish and smoked like a chimney and lived till 90" there are millions of people conking out before their time for that very reason, so please respect the fact we don't all think like you and that doesn't make you any cleverer than the rest of us.

[DiamondKing]

Fk that shit dont eat this don't eat that excercise yada yada yada I really dont care I see super fit people dropping down dead on footbal fields my gran smoked like a trooper ate bacon and eggs every day and lived to a rip old age of 83 my Dad smokes like a trooper drinks every single day eats a good english diet and for as long as I can remember and is 70 years old, I really think if you worry about what to eat you wont be able to eat or do anything cant drink etc etc whats the point life is for living not worrying about what your eating every minute and you are a prime example, your trying hard and you still found out your not healthy

If your time is up mate its up no matter how it is coming and for me I am going to enjoy every day eat what I like and if I peg it so be it I have had a great life and i don't have to eat like a rabbit

Im off to MCDonalds for Big Mac and Fries

btw, it would help if you read what I'd posted - I never said I wasn't healthy. I'm just interested in staying healthy. For every story "my gran ate rubbish and smoked like a chimney and lived till 90" there are millions of people conking out before their time for that very reason, so please respect the fact we don't all think like you and that doesn't make you any cleverer than the rest of us.

LOL Okaaaaaay no one said I was any cleverer than the rest of you your words dude Im just saying you were trying hard but still had medical issues I dont have none of that on my last check up and I dont worry about what I eat drink I JUST LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST hope you get better soon

[rucus7]

To the original poster; How has your body weight changed over the last say 20 years? I ask because mine had been creeping up for years. My triglycerides have been an issue for 12 years( on medication). even though I have been working out here in Thailand regularly for the last five years, my weight would not go down. Last June I had a triglyceride reading of 185 on medication. I was surprised as I rode my bike 4 or 5 times a week 20 to 40 kilometers plus weight lifting. I had never tried a diet to lose weight. I stopped eating bread, noodles, potatoes, and rice down by 90%. My diet consists mainly of vegetables, Chicken breasts and legumes with occasional fish and pork, nonfat milk with nuts for snacks. I really avoid Thai fried foods. After 3 months my Triglyceride reading dropped to 107. I stopped medication . My weight has dropped from 93 kilos to 76. That is the same I weighted 25 years ago. I only increased my exercise regime 10 or 15%. My average cycling speed has increased to 25 to 27 kpm from 20 to 22 kpm. As my weight dropped, my strength has increased as well. I am lifting heavier weights and doing more sets.

The main thing for me is how much better I feel generally. For me the trade off of what I gave up is well worth it.

Good luck to you.

[Ministry of Som Tam]

Yes modern Thai food is often very unhealthy.

BTW, standard muesli is definitely not a low fat food.

A lot of people think that breakfast cereals are good for you,unfortunately a bowl of Corn Flakes contains more salt/sodium than a bowl of seawater!

[TommoPhysicist]

It's not the food you eat that's the problem, it's your lifestyle.

If you are inactive, even the best diet won't keep you fit.

The more active you are, the less you have to worry about your eating and drinking habits.

[farangme]

The amount of salt, sugar and msg added to Thai food is crazy. I now stick to meat, veggies and fruit. No processed foods and no starches. (That eliminates most foods in the supermarket). Keeps the weight down and don't get food comas.

[cooked]

I lost 5 - 6 Kg in the 6 months since coming to Thailand. I drink a lot of beer, try to vary my diet as much as possible, plenty of vegetables coming along in the garden now as well as guaranteed organic chicken (we can't afford not to). I work hard in the garden and on renovating the house. I make my own muesli.

I avoid street food since I read that they buy recycled cooking oil from the better restaurants, since I saw the difference between good Isaan rice and the second/third/fourth ranking quality rice they give you, since drinking water offered made me ILL (oh I was ill..)

I used to think that Thais that I saw cooking up a meal on the back of their pickup were impoverished peasants, if so, that's what I have become.

[Ministry of Som Tam]

The amount of salt, sugar and msg added to Thai food is crazy. I now stick to meat, veggies and fruit. No processed foods and no starches. (That eliminates most foods in the supermarket). Keeps the weight down and don't get food comas.

It's already been said but cook at home and do it using Extra Virgin Olive Oil,which is free from cholesterol.Take regular walks,it's a very simple formula,if you burn more calories than you eat you lose weight.If you don't you gain weight.

It's just very difficult to strike a balance,that's the problem!

[OZEMADE]

Sh*t do you know eating causes cancer.