Dr.Winston O'Boogie
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2015
- Messages
- 92
Using Thailand as an example, I first visited 32 years ago (and every year since and have lived in Thailand for the past 4 years) it was pretty uncommon to see a fat, let alone obese Thai. Today it’s pretty common to see fat, especially young fat Thais.
The reason to me is obvious; the adoption of ‘Western’ foods into the diet and the use of vegetable/seed oils for cooking. Back in the 80’s if you ordered fried rice upcountry it would be cooked in animal (usually pig) fat and have a totally different texture because of it.
These days I see a lot of school kids here buying hot dog type sausages chopped up and served in plastic bags on their way home from school. KFC, Pizza and Donut places abound now even upcountry.
In the past it used to amaze me how little Thais would eat at a meal. It has been an education watching a way of life change over the course of 32 years...and see the results.
The reason to me is obvious; the adoption of ‘Western’ foods into the diet and the use of vegetable/seed oils for cooking. Back in the 80’s if you ordered fried rice upcountry it would be cooked in animal (usually pig) fat and have a totally different texture because of it.
These days I see a lot of school kids here buying hot dog type sausages chopped up and served in plastic bags on their way home from school. KFC, Pizza and Donut places abound now even upcountry.
In the past it used to amaze me how little Thais would eat at a meal. It has been an education watching a way of life change over the course of 32 years...and see the results.