Traveling to Europe is the perfect way to shed a few pounds. The combination of fresh air, delicious cuisine, and plenty of sightseeing can help you burn those extra calories.
But why is it so easy for travelers to lose weight in Europe? In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the reasons why travelers tend to slim down while they’re on vacation in Europe.
An Active European Lifestyle
European travelers are often astonished at the amount of weight they lose during their vacation despite eating local fare without dietary restrictions.
This is largely due to the active lifestyle that many Europeans lead.
Walking is a part of their daily routine, whether it’s to run errands, go out for tapas or pinches, or simply take a leisurely stroll in the evening.
This combined with the lack of processed food in European supermarkets makes it easier for Americans to lose weight while visiting Europe, as they are experiencing a healthier and more active lifestyle than they would at home.
Less Stress Can Lead To Healthy Weight Loss
High levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can lead to weight gain since it stimulates metabolism and increases appetite.
It has been found that people who go on vacation to Europe tend to have lower stress levels due to being in “vacation mode”, which prevents the overproduction of cortisol and can lead to healthy weight loss.
This is because many people focus on relaxing and leaving their worries behind while abroad, allowing them to enjoy their time in Europe without worrying about their everyday stressors.
Furthermore, not having to worry about their daily routines back home promotes healthier habits and allows them to focus on enjoying their trip.
Thus, if you’re looking for a way to fit into smaller sizes while having a good time, then a trip to Europe might be a great option.
Light on Processed Food, Heavy on Nutritional Food Labeling
European shoppers may be more in tune with what they purchase at the supermarket due to the nutritional literacy programs put in place by European governments.
The Nutri-Score food labeling system is one example, used in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Luxembourg as of January 2023.
The label assigns a score ranging between A (most nutritious) and E (least nutritious) based on the product’s nutrition content, and producers or sellers are required to affix the corresponding label onto the packaging.
The Government of the Netherlands also passed The National Prevention Agreement in 2019, which urges food manufacturers to reduce the amount of fat, sugar, and sodium in their products.
These measures help promote good nutrition and create a healthier dietary landscape than that in the United States.
European Foods Have Fewer Additives and Seed Oils
In Europe, standards for particular additives and components in food are much more rigorous than those of the United States.
This is because food corporations have a stronger lobbying presence in the U.S. than in the EU, allowing for more lax regulations.
The European Union has banned numerous additives, such as potassium bromate, BHA or BHT, growth hormones in meat, and artificial colorings like Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, that are still used in the U.S.
These additives can interfere with hormone levels and lead to weight fluctuations.
Additionally, seed oils such as canola, sunflower, and rapeseed oil can lead to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
In comparison, European countries tend to cook with olive oil instead, which is a much healthier alternative.
Europe Banned Several Ingredients Commonly Found in American Foods
The European Union (E.U.) has taken active steps to reduce the amount of fat, sugar, and sodium in processed foods by banning certain ingredients and pesticides that are common in American foods.
This includes titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, azodicarbonamide, BHA and BHT, certain food dyes, as well as several growth hormones for livestock.
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned synthetic flavoring substances and other ingredients over the years, Europe’s commitment to phasing out ingredients with known adverse health effects or whose safety is in question is more proactive.
By removing these potentially harmful ingredients from the food supply, European citizens are likely to experience better health outcomes than Americans.
Walkable Cities Equal More Calories Burned
European countries have made it easy for their citizens to get around without needing a car.
This encourages people to walk more, leading to higher calorie burning and better overall health. Walking an average of 237 miles a year, Europeans burn more calories than the average American who only walks 87 miles a year.
This can have a positive impact on weight loss and overall health since it helps to regulate hormones, prevent weight gain, and reduce stress.
Wrapping up
The evidence from user comments and my own personal experience leads me to believe that American food is often low in quality, high in calories, and filled with additives.
This could be why people are losing weight in Europe despite not making any drastic changes to their diets.
Furthermore, European countries are stricter when it comes to additives and ingredients, leading to healthier food options.
Additionally, walkability in Europe is much higher than in the U.S., meaning people are burning more calories just by being active.
Lastly, lower levels of stress when on vacation can also lead to healthy weight loss. All these factors contribute to why Americans are losing weight in Europe
3 comments
Comments are closed.