the word 'greed'

Jalima I think you get what DD and I call "banked up hunger" when you lose weight. It's as if your body is desperately trying to fill out again.

jings I read somewhere that your fat cells never disappear once they are there, they just shrink if you lose weight, lurking, grinning and waiting to be filled up once again.

However, I was consoled by a very overweight friend the other day who said to me 'you're so nice and slim'

Coolgran a banana is supposed to help you sleep too, it contains tryptophan which converts to serotonin.
Doesn't turkey contain that too?

Yes. I've heard that J. Right bugger!

I was making the point that despite what 'they' say about fat people, 'they' contribute by making it easy to over-shop and over-eat. And it's not just fat people who can over-eat, there are some lucky souls who can eat and eat and still not put on an ounce.

Actually yes, we are greedy but it's not nice to point the finger and tell someone they are fat and it's their own doing. We ought to be understanding and not hurt their feelings. Apparently. Being polite is one thing, avoiding the truth is another. We are a fat nation. And we're useless at taking responsibility for our own problems - always someone else's. I'm 18 stone, have dodgy knees but no other medical problems, take no medication surprisingly, not even statins or blood pressure medication. Bloody lucky, so far. But I'm fat because I used to eat too much -mostly out of boredom and for comfort - and now I'm nearly 60, don't work and am relatively inactive. There! I've 'outed' myself so I think I know what I'm talking about...

On TV I once saw the (then) Marchioness of Tavistock, later Duchess of Bedford who was a very beautiful woman, a former model, Henrietta Tiarks, say that her mother had told her you can choose between your bum or your face. Actually, she may have said hips, but we know what she meant. A layer of fat plumps up your skin and perks up your complexion which benefits. At least that's my excuse!

Greed and gluttony are not acceptable words to describe overweight people, if some want to call themselves a glutton their choice , but in my opinion to call others gluttons is so judgemental and cruel

I am 5'7 and weigh seven and half stone so am not defending myself

DM used to say that 'it's your face or your figure' as you get older.

Don't tell me that you are one of those people who can eat anything and never put on an ounce anniebach

Are we allowed to say 'skinny' or is that wrong? DD is too skinny very slim and eats a lot, but not on a daily basis, sometimes she skips meals because she is not overly interested in food unless it is something she particularly likes (or it has been prepared for her). But she does only like 'healthy food'.

I didn't think so, Anniebach. But let's face facts. In the west we are fat because we eat too much. In Africa, for example, where food isn't so plentiful people tend to be trim. It is a question of greed and until we face up to that we will always have the problem of obesity. Look at the US, isn't that the fattest nation in the world? Do they all have medical problems that cause the weight or is that they are proud of their ability to put steaks bigger than the plate on the table? I'm all for general politeness and good manners but sometimes skirting round an issue for the sake of hurt feelings can do more harm than good.

Have you ever been on a cruise anniebach - especially with Americans or Australians? Then you would see gluttony in action - and its consequences!
As I said in a previous post, I know I tend to be greedy but I know I have to control myself.

I get your point, Mollie

I don't understand quite why you're being so sensitive about the words 'greed' and 'glutton' ab

The OP was referring to the obesity epidemic, not one particular poster or posters.

While I think the OP was an oversimplification, I agree with mollie that as a society we are greedy. Some people are greedy about food and that contributes to their being overweight. What's wrong with saying that? The easiest way to lose weight is to not eat between meals, and portion control.

I don't overeat, but I buy far more clothes than I need. There, I've outed myself too.

X posts mollie
I agree
The words have probably disappeared because it is not politically correct to use them, someone may be offended.

I want a piece of Victoria sandwich now

But if I make one DH will have a slice or two and I will eat the rest (not all in one day though!).
That is greedy.
But my willpower will stop me making one.
Perhaps.

Egg and bacon I say for breakfast, to many process foods in the world today. When I was a child we used lard for frying none of this fancy oils that we get in bottles today . I've gone to a high fat low carb diet, I'm a diabetic
, my blood sugars have never been better

I think there has been a sea-change in people's attitudes to food over the last 50 years.

When I was a child, my parents didn't have much money, like most other people. Being greedy, taking the last slice of bread when you'd already had two, or helping yourself to something over and above your 'ration' was deplored and would bring on a telling-off, being told not to be greedy.

The point was that if you ate more than your fair share, you were essentially depriving another family member of their share.

Although there are still families who struggle to put food on the table, generally speaking food is much more available and affordable than it used to be.

There's also been a change in attitude towards ourselves, with much more emphasis on it being ok to treat ourselves to things which our mothers (well mine anyway) would have considered both a waste of money and an expression of personal vanity - the 'because you're worth it' philosophy.
Women of my mother's generation didn't think they were 'worth it' - they thought it extravagant to spend money on cosmetics, skin care, hair products etc.

Translate this change of attitude into food consumption, and it becomes another factor in why some people overeat. Nowadays, it's easy to persuade yourself that it's not being greedy to eat that extra piece of cake, it's simply that you're worth it/you've had a hard day/ you deserve it.

I am thin due to having gastroparesis, I love cooking and eating, but I can only eat one tiny meal a day, if I am lucky

My OH can eat what he likes...and does, as well as having 3 sugars in his many cups of tea. He weighs about 10stone fully clothed with his work boots for ballast against the wind.
I dont take sugar,eat chocolate,cake or biscuits,or big meals,love fruit and veg and weigh 12stone...no justice in this world..I am outed as well now.
I am not greedy,but lazy,walking hurts my feet and bunions,and getting from A to B needs the car because A to B is too far to walk comfortably,exercise is not my favourite pass time.( oh and I like wine )

Not being sensitive, I think it wrong to class all overweight people as greedy , I know no poster was named but it may well have caused someone who is troubled because they are overweight to be distressed

The question was why not use greed and gluttony , when we discussed unmarried mothers no one asked why do we not use bastard or base child, we don't because we accept and understand these words have been used to mock and cause hurt , greed and gluttony does the same , and not all overweight people eat too much

There is always the exception,but generally if you consume more calories than you use you will put weight on,Simple.Greedy,yes that's me,perhaps we all are sometimes.I could never eat one chocolate,I would have to eat the whole bleddy box.Thats why I only buy them occasionally.Moderation,that's the key word.
People,your right,some are greedy and selfish,I wouldn't give some the time of day.
But my Freinds come in all sizes.Come on,most people put on weight as they get older.

Some of you have taken this personally, I do not know what anyone looks like therefore I cannot be 'having a go' at anyone. I meant society
in general in the OP. I certainly do not call people 'fat' or 'overweight ' to their faces however if asked I will answer honestly.

I heard that GPs were not allowed to mention the 'f' word to patients in case it upset them, even if they are obese.

You can call me 'pleasantly plump' etheltbags

Nowadays, it's easy to persuade yourself that it's not being greedy to eat that extra piece of cake,
Or it is just such a waste to throw it out! (a hangover from the rationing days?)

It is ridiculous that GP is not allowed to mention that someone is overweight, Im sure many people would try to lose weight if a doctor tells them. I know I would.

they could probably tell someone their BMI is above what it should be, but not say 'you are too fat'.