# My obesity: Finally an answer that makes sense! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 27, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865 "2015-10-27T12:29:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/141 "2015-11-05T20:07:57Z")
> [@simster](#): > > You know that raisens are just dried grapes, right? which means that the only thing missing is the water portion. > > How can they be any worse than the same amount of grapes? Because grapes don’t have a label! ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/142 "2015-11-05T20:15:58Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > I’m not Mr Google. Check it out feller and let us know. the point is - earlier you said ‘fruits are fine’ - now you imply that ‘raisens are bad’. and they are the exact same ‘fruit’ - there is no ‘added sugar’ or ‘change in sugar content’ in a raisen as compared to a grape. so - Which is it? [QUOTE=[Raisin - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raisin)] \*\*Nutrition and health \*\* Raisins can be eaten as a nutritious snack, rich in dietary fiber, carbohydrates with a low glycemic index, minerals, vitamins and other micronutrients. Their fat and cholesterol content is low. The overall nutritional value of raisins means that they are recommended as a snack for both weight control and for maintaining good human health because they help the control of glucose and cholesterol, the good functioning of the digestive system and the regulation of blood pressure.[13] Replacing unhealthy snacks by raisins in usual and moderate quantity can improve health biomarkers in patients with controlled Type 2 Diabetes. It has been found that adoption of this dietary habit may reduce diastolic blood pressure and increase the levels of plasma antioxidants in type 2 diabetic patients.[14] Corinthian raisins are a moderate glycemic index fruit. They can be consumed in small amounts even by diabetic patients instead of sweets in a balanced diet.[15] Antioxidants in Greek[clarification needed] raisins may reduce the risk for malignancies in the stomach and colon. Thus, in a balanced diet, their antioxidants can help maintain the health of the digestive system.[16] [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/143 "2015-11-05T20:22:36Z")
> [@simster](#): > > How can they be any worse than the same amount of grapes? Or wine? ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/144 "2015-11-05T20:24:37Z")
> [@simster](#): > > the point is - earlier you said ‘fruits are fine’ - now you imply that ‘raisens are bad’. > > and they are the exact same ‘fruit’ - there is no ‘added sugar’ or ‘change in sugar content’ in a raisen as compared to a grape. > > so - Which is it? As far as I understand raisins are processed fruit. Like I said who knew. What’s with the aggression - too much sugar? Or is it your raisin detre? ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/145 "2015-11-05T20:25:49Z")
You guys are a little too wacked out on grape. Are you in a grape worshipping society? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/146 "2015-11-05T20:35:55Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > As far as I understand raisins are processed fruit. Like I said who knew. > > What’s with the aggression - too much sugar? Or is it your raisin detre? processed - you keep using that word - I don’t think it (always) means what you think it does. ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/147 "2015-11-05T20:36:42Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > …consumed 1800 calories a day (which is pretty hard at the best of times)… 1800 calories a day is not hard if you avoid processed food. I was recently diagnosed celiac and I have gone from eating a ton of processed foods to eating more homemade stuff. 1800 calories is a lot for me in a day. Here’s a typical day… Breakfast: 2 eggs 2 slices bacon 4 oz OJ 275 calories Lunch: Salad with 3 oz Salmon, feta cheese, balsamic vinaigrette and almonds 384 calories Snacks: Smoothie with whole milk yogurt, OJ and frozen fruit 250 calories Pirate’s Booty Cheese Puffs (I’m only human…) 130 calories Orange or banana 40-100 calories Dinner: Homemade Mac and Cheese (0.5-0.75 cup or so) Homemade Chili with ground beef (1 cup) 600 calories That’s 1700 calories. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/148 "2015-11-05T20:40:06Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > As far as I understand raisins are processed fruit. Like I said who knew. > > What’s with the aggression - too much sugar? Or is it your raisin detre? So, to make sure I understand, what you are saying is, I can have as many grapes as I want, and I don’t have to count how much sugar is in the grapes, but if I leave the grapes in the sun until they dry out, then I DO have to count how much sugar is in the resultant raisins as applying to my daily sugar limit? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/149 "2015-11-05T20:45:43Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So, to make sure I understand, what you are saying is, I can have as many grapes as I want, and I don’t have to count how much sugar is in the grapes, but if I leave the grapes in the sun until they dry out, then I DO have to count how much sugar is in the resultant raisins as applying to my daily sugar limit? duh - they’ve been ‘processed’ - that makes them ‘evil’. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/150 "2015-11-05T20:52:09Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > You guys are a little too wacked out on grape. Are you in a grape worshipping society? I think people are just pointing out that sticking to a strict guideline without understanding the basic nutrition principles behind it can lead you down the wrong path. Not all processing is bad; not all natural things are good. In general, specific foods aren’t good or bad; you have to look at the entire diet and make informed choices. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/151 "2015-11-05T20:53:35Z")
> [@simster](#): > > duh - they’ve been ‘processed’ - that makes them ‘evil’. Well, I better cover up today after work, I don’t want to get ‘processed’ by the sun on my way to the Metro! ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/152 "2015-11-05T20:58:17Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > As far as I understand raisins are processed fruit. The “process” involved is taking grapes with lots of water in them and letting some of the water evaporate, leaving everything else behind. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/153 "2015-11-05T21:09:25Z")
> [@Minnie\_Luna](#): > > 1800 calories a day is not hard if you avoid processed food. I was recently diagnosed celiac and I have gone from eating a ton of processed foods to eating more homemade stuff. 1800 calories is a lot for me in a day. But it was a man’s classroom project. His daily cal is 2500-2600. He was at 70% of rec daily cals. For you that would be around 1350-1400 cals. ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/154 "2015-11-05T21:48:42Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > But it was a man’s classroom project. His daily cal is 2500-2600. > > He was at 70% of rec daily cals. > > For you that would be around 1350-1400 cals. Again, not that hard. Sub a fibrous vegetable for the mac and cheese. Eliminate the dressing (or just use balsalmic vinegar) and cheese on the salad. Use low fat yogurt instead of whole milk yogurt. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/155 "2015-11-05T21:52:40Z")
Well I’m glad you think so 🙂 It’s like no dinner every day. ---
**Author:** ![bethewave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@bethewave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bethewave)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/156 "2015-11-05T22:41:54Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So, to make sure I understand, what you are saying is, I can have as many grapes as I want, and I don’t have to count how much sugar is in the grapes, but if I leave the grapes in the sun until they dry out, then I DO have to count how much sugar is in the resultant raisins as applying to my daily sugar limit? Even if your posts are mostly whoosh-ing about over a few people’s head, I’m enjoying them greatly, **manson1972**. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/157 "2015-11-05T22:52:08Z")
It’s not that funny is it, 1 pound of grapes is like half a handful of raisins? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/158 "2015-11-05T23:04:05Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > It’s not that funny is it, 1 pound of grapes is like half a handful of raisins? 4:1 [4 pounds of grapes == 1 pound of raisins](http://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/how-many-pounds-of-grapes-does-it-take-to-make-one-pound-of-raisins/). And if you had said - “well, its alot easier to eat way to many raisins” - no one would disagree with you. I earlier said "How can they be any worse than the same amount of grapes? " - if you eat a pound of each, sure - if you eat 10 of each, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![bethewave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@bethewave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bethewave)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/159 "2015-11-05T23:08:43Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > This is too weird. You have no idea what I ate on any given day, what exercise I did, nothing at all about my life - and yet you’re pre-occupied with a pint of water-based vegetable soup. Knock yourself out but it is pretty weird. > > btw, your link talks about absolutely everything except sugar content . You wouldn’t even know it contained added sugar, and that’s the point. It’s so significant because the soup i had was perfect except for 27g of added sugar - \*\*the entire daily allowance for a woman in one pint of vegetable soup. \*\*And it was under 500 cal. We don’t know about exercise or other foods, but we do know that you were shocked about the amount of sugar in your “portion” of lentil soup. And also, that your “portion” of lentil soup was much larger than any suggested portion of lentil soup - so it’s not particularly surprising that it would have so much sugar. Also - how do you know it was all added, processed sugar? Did it have tomatoes in it? You contend that natural sugar is fine. It’s in the name, right? So dishes with tomatoes (like lentil soup often contains) will be high in sugar. One standard fresh tomato (3 inch diameter) contains nearly 5 grams of sugar. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865/160 "2015-11-05T23:09:48Z")
> [@simster](#): > > 4:1 > > [4 pounds of grapes == 1 pound of raisins](http://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/how-many-pounds-of-grapes-does-it-take-to-make-one-pound-of-raisins/). > > And if you had said - “well, its alot easier to eat way to many raisins” - no one would disagree with you. > > I earlier said "How can they be any worse than the same amount of grapes? " - if you eat a pound of each, sure - if you eat 10 of each, not so much. I thought I was saying exactly that. As I hoped I did with milk. I’m realising you have to suggest quite plainly to some people it’s better if you don’t eat like a mental. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-obesity-finally-an-answer-that-makes-sense/735865.md?page=9)