Eat to Live or Live to Eat ..

[Bonobojt]

I see that there are a lot of guys on here that talk about getting cancer or strokes, diabetes,  heart disease etc.. and I wonder if eating all the tasty junk food and burgers, pizza, processed meats like bacon and sausages, is it really worth it in the end ? its obvious now what what we put in our bodies determines how healthy we are, no debate about that, you see all these headlines about this causes cancer, that causes etc eat 5 fruits & veg a day, now its eat 7. 

 

But people love food, people don't seem to want to give up the bacon or the cheese burgers, it taste good and that makes them happy, even if they know it increases their risk of getting seriously sick in the future.

 

so I'm curious to hear how people feel about this ? do you take your health seriously or do you not care much ? would you give up certain foods just to be healthier ?

[jerojero]

If we really cared about our long term health, us fat guys wouldn't be fat.

[klauskunkel]

I generally do, but then I read this and w.t.f.:

Most of vegetables and fruits on sale in fresh and modern trade markets are laced with pesticide residues

in General | October 6, 2016 11:24 pm (328 views) | By Thai PBS Reporters

 

About 56 percent of fresh vegetables and fruits on sale in fresh markets, super markets and modern trade stores, including the so-called high-end gourmet markets are laced with chemical residues beyond acceptable standards, according to survey conducted by Thai-PAN, a pesticide alert network.

Thai-PAN coordinator Ms Prokchon Usap told the media on Thursday that the network collected 10 types of vegetables and six kinds of fruits which are popular among the consumers for tests to find out pesticide residues during August 23-29.

The ten types of vegetables include red chilli, kale, morning glory, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber, pea eggplant, tomato and basil. The six kinds of fruits are Sainampoeng orange, papaya, water melon, cantaloupe, guava and dragon fruit.

Altogether 158 samples of the six fruits and 10 vegetables were collected from three modern trade chain stores namely Big C, Macro and Tesco Lotus, three wholesale markets namely Talad Thai, Pathom Mongkol market in Nakhon Pathom and Srimuang market in Ratchaburi and several super markets where the fruits and vegetables are tagged with safety or organic labels such as Tops, Home Fresh Mart, Max Value, Villa Market, Lemon Farm, Golden Place and Foodland.

All the 158 samples were subjected to multi residue pesticide screen (MRPS) and it was disclosed that 56 percent of the 158 samples were tested positive with beyond-standard level of pesticide residues.

Ms Prokchon said 70.2 percent of the samples taken from modern trade stores were found to contain high level of pesticide residues: 12 out of 16 samples from Tesco Lotus; 11 out of 16 samples from Macro and 10 out of 15 samples from Big C.

54.2 percent of samples taken from wholesale markets were found to contain pesticide residues beyond limits.

Vegetables found to have the highest amount of pesticide residues beyond MRL are kale with 10 out of 11 samples, red chilli, nine out of 12 samples; basil and long beans, 8 out of 12 samples; morning glory, 7 out of 12 samples, pea eggplant, 6 out of 11 samples.

Sainampoeng orange was found to contain the highest amount of pesticide residues of all the six kinds of fruits tested. Even fruits and vegetables certified by the Agriculture Ministry as safe are laced with pesticide residues, said Ms Prokchon.

She disclosed that even some chemicals which were globally phased out were found in fruits and vegetables such as dicrotophos, endosulfan, methamidophos, carbofuran and methomyl.

[Thaiwrath]

Have you tried the monkhood ?

I thought about it, but I wanted to enjoy life.

[robertthebruce]

 

 

I have been Strict Vegetarian for over 40 years, and I am quite fit, slim, and it's done me no harm....

 

love Thailand for all the fresh Exotiq Fruits and Vegetables, and always wash before eating..?? Whether that's going to help me or not a.. Time will tell.

 

lifes all about choices, that's mine, 

 

have a nice day folks...

[elgordo38]

I am  78 now overweight but generally in good health. I have won the health lottery. I never smoked but drank my fair share and more. My marbles seem to be intact, I still ride my bicycle, All I am missing is my gall bladder and a 30% reduction in my prostate. Life has been good. I think it is in the genes. I will keep you informed. My passing will be the end of days for my body a real temple deserving of hero worship. I wish to give eternal thanks to my body for bringing me this far even though I have abused you. You always came through for me. 

[Davehappen]

As I get old I think more about my health, when in the uk I was 110 kilos, I moved over here with every intention of doing something about it, and with the help of my misses feeding me good Thai food and keeping off the snacks I've lost 15 kilos in the last 4 months. I retired a little early and want to enjoy life in the slow lane, ( uk lorry driver, away from home 5 nights a week, working upto 15 hours a day) so yes I think about my health more now than I ever did. Maybe I'll last long enough to enjoy old age with out to much drama.

[vladinasia]

I try to treat my body as a temple, not as a trash can. And it pays me back with good health. I am 59, but look and feel much younger. I do my yoga daily and eat 80-90% raw fruits and veggies. Not sure about pesticides, but I start my day with a tea spoon of bentonite clay with 2 glasses of water to cleanse my intestines from all junk. In regards to junk food to me it's the difference between what I want now and what I want the most. And the most I want is to stay healthy and take care of myself for as long as I can. I am not 100% raw vegetarian and enjoy good meal with a good company occasionally, but as long as it falls into 10-20% of all I eat, it does no harm.

I would like to hear from others, if more people believe the same..

 

[Wilsonandson]

I believe that stress is the biggest killer rather than unhealthy eating. A happy mind gives you a happy body. Finding time to relax and enjoy life is the key to a healthy body.
I'm over weight and have a couple of vices. Terrible habits that are very un healthy, drinking and smoking. But I don't think about the future and ponder about my health. No, we all kick the bucket one day. Enjoy your day now. Not plan to enjoy it tomorrow. As long as you do everything in moderation you'll be fine. The one thing that I miss though is the fresh air back home. Bangkok air is so polluted. Every month I clean the fan it's covered in black soot.

[Global Guy]

No alcohol, no drugs, no red meat. Exercise 1+ hours 6 days a week. Vitamins and supplements. Try to get enough sleep and a power nap in the afternoon. Plenty of relaxing time. I juice almost everyday.

 

I am working on losing about 2 kilos to get back to my fighting weight. 

 

 

 

 

[SaintLouisBlues]

5 minutes ago, Global Guy said:

No alcohol, no drugs, no red meat.

As we (thought we) heard in Star Trek: "It's life, Jim, but not as we know it"

[Global Guy]

14 minutes ago, SaintLouisBlues said:

As we (thought we) heard in Star Trek: "It's life, Jim, but not as we know it"

It works for me. I avoid alcohol, drugs, and red meat because I don't like them. Luckily, it's a healthy choice as well.

[MyFriend You]

5 hours ago, robertthebruce said:

 

 

I have been Strict Vegetarian for over 40 years, and I am quite fit, slim, and it's done me no harm....

 

love Thailand for all the fresh Exotiq Fruits and Vegetables, and always wash before eating..?? Whether that's going to help me or not a.. Time will tell.

 

lifes all about choices, that's mine, 

 

have a nice day folks...

I am curious - I have worked with a lot of vegetarians, and have found some of them are sick most of the time, always complaining  about colds, flu, headahces, bod aches etc etc - but only those that don't consume any sort of animal protein, hos that do eat eggs, dairy poducts and some meat are just the opposite............Me, I am a 'in the middle' kinda of guy - everything in moderation.

 

Whats your take on the above, do you find yourself catching colds or flu several times a year??

[Grubster]

Genes are the biggest contributor to longevity by far, but you can ruin all that by abusing your body as I have done, I seriously doubt that I will see 90, like all my relatives have. I smoke, drink, eat garbage, overweight, worked all my life in a semi-toxic environment, also a very stressful job. I am now happily retired but still have all the vices minus the stress and toxic work. I just hope I go out smoothly and fast without causing much grief for others. I'm shooting for eighties with all that said. I do not fear death, I had a double pulmonary embolism once after a surgery, I felt it coming on and thought well this is it, then I woke up in an ambulance and the first thing that came to mind was, if thats how it feels to die no problem. Sorry about rambling on.

[Shaunduhpostman]

Tho I don't eat them, being a vegetarian, mostly, for the last 30 years, I don't see what is wrong with hamburgers or even pizza. They are maybe not at the top of the pile nutritionally, but eaten in moderation they perfectly legit nutritionally. The problem is with what is eaten along with burgers, ie soft drinks and fries/chips which obviously are nothing of benefit and even simply a minus other than they taste good to some people. Staying happy is also important and part of being happy would be enjoying what you eat, so to me, a balance in all things is what is needed not strict adhereance to any regimented diet or exercise program.

 

I have never been the athletic outdoorsy type but rather someone with never enough time to pursue interests as deeply as I would like: music, writing and reading in a perhaps too wide of an array of interests which get seemingly added to with each passing week. So, while I much value regular exercise I keep it minimal, 3-4 times a week. I like to do fast walking these days and incorporate various arm pumping routines to get added upper body and aerobic intensity to my 3-4 kilometer walks. A problem in Thailand is often inclement weather, too hot or too rainy or too much smoke and I find myself deciding to cancel my exercise, such as now, it is raining in buckets. So, between bad weather and becoming inextricably involved in some book or project, I often find that I have only gotten out only twice and sometimes even only once for exercise within the course of the week.

 

Also, I have practiced some form of meditation for over 30 years and recommend anyone who feels inclined to pursue it for health and happiness. For most people a meditation practice seems rather unthinkable, either because they don't believe there could be anything to it, or that it is perhaps too flaky and weird or exotic for their personal style or because they are not disciplined or motivated enough to do it to the point that they actually become proficient. However, depending on your talent for meditation, and the effectiveness of whatever technique and school you practice, within usually a years time you can really begin to create tangible results and create a source of well being and contentedness that nothing else can equal. Normally we are dependent on some external situation for our well being and happiness. Meditation swings the ball into your own court and I have found this is quite essential. It is something that we can do that makes us feel at ease and even joyous come whatever may, we are no longer nearly as bothered by anything our situation can dish up. Mastering any of the various meditation techniques will give most people a nearly invincible inner strength that no one and nothing can take away from you. I don't think the value of an effective meditation practice can be overstated. Once you learn, even if you stop practicing, just knowing by experience what is available should you need it, opens a door for you that adds much to your overall happiness and health. Just my penny's worth.

Edited October 8, 2016 by Shaunduhpostman

[FlorC]

If you want to eat healthy , you can't eat in Thailand.

I care but there is not much you can do. Even organic is full of pesticides. Eating out is unhygienic and they use the pesticide vegetables too. I love to eat , but I have to wait another 4 months to eat ... when I get back to europe.

Meanwhile I shove my belly with cheap corn and rice , just not to feel hungry.

So your question : I swallow cr_p to live here , and I live to eat the few month I spend in europe ( where the good food is).

[robertthebruce]

1 hour ago, TunnelRat69 said:

I am curious - I have worked with a lot of vegetarians, and have found some of them are sick most of the time, always complaining  about colds, flu, headahces, bod aches etc etc - but only those that don't consume any sort of animal protein, hos that do eat eggs, dairy poducts and some meat are just the opposite............Me, I am a 'in the middle' kinda of guy - everything in moderation.

 

Whats your take on the above, do you find yourself catching colds or flu several times a year??

 

 

Cheers for the reply, I have not been not well for years and years, healthy as anything travel extensively around the world too, and always well and never have problems...

 

also so my teeth are in great shape and so are my Gums.

 

totally agree with you everything in moderation,,,

 

all the best and have a nice day... As for me, off to the beach for a walk...

[nongsangcity]

1 hour ago, FlorC said:

If you want to eat healthy , you can't eat in Thailand.

I care but there is not much you can do. Even organic is full of pesticides. Eating out is unhygienic and they use the pesticide vegetables too. I love to eat , but I have to wait another 4 months to eat ... when I get back to europe.

Meanwhile I shove my belly with cheap corn and rice , just not to feel hungry.

So your question : I swallow cr_p to live here , and I live to eat the few month I spend in europe ( where the good food is).

Organic....won of the biggest con tricks of all time.....shocking food producers get away with such a carry on......to most organic means fresh, pesticide free food and better tasting.......nothing could be further from the truth........

[4MyEgo]

 

Have always been a balanced healthy eater, and had regularly exercised at the gym, cardio and weights, although as others have said in their replies, stress is the biggest killer, my Cardiologist, who I met unexpectedly when I was 47, will tell you that, "heart attacks" do not discriminate, that was 9 years ago, and being a smoker 10 years prior for a number of years, would have contributed to some narrowing of the arteries, e.g. clot, single stent inserted, and cleared, and he stated that he was very glad that I drove to the hospital at midnight after I had the crushing chest pain, and didn't nod off, because I would not have awaken, that and not waiting for an ambulance, because it is crucial to get the hospital ass-up to clear the blockage, that or die, although he did say that he doesn't encourage people to drive when having a heart attack, but never the less was glad I made it and live to tell the tale.

 

For those of you reading this long winded reply, who might get the symptoms and don't know what to do, you do now, if you ever do have a heart attack, you will know the chest pain, because it is "crushing" like a sharp object pushing down in the centre of your chest, which just gets more and more severe, and your breath, well that just goes out the window, so stay calm, try to relax, it is not a nice experience, but if you freak out, that won't help, I remained calm, did sign language to my Mrs who was starting to freak out, but she managed to catch on, get dressed as I did and follow me to the car, yes 4 times in one day is not advisable, brag, brag, brag,...lol, and off we went to the hospital which thank God was less than 2 kilometres from home, and they took me straight in and a team went to task, calling the Cardiologist (on call) and his team to come in, thankfully it was all over in a couple of hours.

 

Fresh food is best, 3 meals a day, no snacking, ok to have a burger and a pizza every now and again, keep your weight within your age and height range, drink water when feel the urge to snack, stay away from or have minimal sugar and salt, no smoking, no carbs after lunch 12-1.00pm, eat early at night around 5-6pm the latest, glass of wine or beer ok, supplements daily, e.g. take fish oil and a multi-vitamin for over 50's like Centrum, an asprin a day to keep your blood thin (reduces clotting) and sexasize at least 3-4 times a week, instead of per day, everything in moderation.

[khunPer]

Quote

 

so I'm curious to hear how people feel about this ? do you take your health seriously or do you not care much ? would you give up certain foods just to be healthier ?

 

I do take my health seriously and do care – but as I'm lucky not to have any serious problems (to my knowledge) or being overweight, so I live a quite relaxed and "normal" life with variate food, which is mixture of delicious Thai and European dishes, with a little sur-plus to Mediterranean – I'm not thinking too much about what I eat, and not eating too much either.

 

And for "give up certain food", I think I never started eating them – but I do hope I mentally will be strong enough to avoid them, if that become a must to "give up something" – however,  I don't believe it's the occasionally once or twice a year at McD, or wherever, that's the problem, it's when it become an almost everyday-habit...

[freebyrd]

16 hours ago, robertthebruce said:

 

 

Cheers for the reply, I have not been not well for years and years, healthy as anything travel extensively around the world too, and always well and never have problems...

 

also so my teeth are in great shape and so are my Gums.

 

totally agree with you everything in moderation,,,

 

all the best and have a nice day... As for me, off to the beach for a walk...

 

There are obviously some lucky people around. I was in the fitness business for 30 years and was careful about my diet and exercised 3 times a day 6 days a week until age 49 when I had a stroke. I found out I had a heart condition, pneumonia caught me, then over a few years lost 14 teeth and now diabetes. It's my belief that the day we are born the day were are destined to die is already determined.

 

A contemporary of mine, top fitness man in the army, took his dog for a walk and didn't come back, he was 52.

 

Churchill ate, drank, smoked and wasn't Mr exercise, he died at 90. Field Marshall Montgomery didn't some or drink, exercised, ate well, died at 88. 

 

Each to their own, One man's meat is literally another man's poison, but no matter what you do, there is no silver bullet.

[NoshowJones]

If I was able to eat all the ice cream, biscuits, and drink all the milk and sugary drinks and still keep the same weight

and lean figure I have now, I would probably do so.

Seeing the vast majority of adults being overweight just makes me determined I will never be.

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, freebyrd said:

 

There are obviously some lucky people around. I was in the fitness business for 30 years and was careful about my diet and exercised 3 times a day 6 days a week until age 49 when I had a stroke. I found out I had a heart condition, pneumonia caught me, then over a few years lost 14 teeth and now diabetes. It's my belief that the day we are born the day were are destined to die is already determined.

 

A contemporary of mine, top fitness man in the army, took his dog for a walk and didn't come back, he was 52.

 

Churchill ate, drank, smoked and wasn't Mr exercise, he died at 90. Field Marshall Montgomery didn't some or drink, exercised, ate well, died at 88. 

 

Each to their own, One man's meat is literally another man's poison, but no matter what you do, there is no silver bullet.

I think there is a lot of sense in this post.

[Nurseynutcase]

I have been overweight - not now though.  I smoke alot and drink, rarely eat junk food, cycle every day and swim in the winter.

No health problems at all.

Worked full time and more for 44 years.

Now retired and living the life in LOS

I think it is all genetic - due to my previous job I have seen young people have major heart attacks even when the have a healthy lifestyle ditto strokes and diabetes.

Maybe I should do more but what the heck life is for living not worrying about what may happen

Whatever we do we are all going to die anyway so enjoy life to the full whilst you can

[retoohs]

food is one of the great pleasures in live and I'm here for a good time not a long time. I try and eat well and keep my consumption of party consumables down but will not sacrifice happiness trying to buy an extra year or two