Healthy living in Kyiv - unbelievable weightloss by doing nothing!

[SilverBullet]

After 1 1/2 month in Kyiv I have noticed a big difference - a 20 pound or 10 kg weightloss.  I was wondering why this could be since I enjoy Ukrainian food very much and my daily Obolon Premium beer. The answer must be two-fold; Ukrainian food is more healthy with less calories than in the US (and I stay away from McDonalds in Kyiv - only PH food and the like); then one tend to be more active in Kyiv walking around and taking metro and mini buses all the time. While shopping in the supermarkets, you walk and carry your food home. What a big difference - a bonus so to say living in Kyiv.  Anyone else noticed the same? 

[3000ftup]

SB, I agree with you!  I think it is due to clean food... less preservatives, pesticides, and hormones... as is in everything in USA...  augmented with some walking etc. it is a good thing!  Have you noticed that vegetables have so much more smell and flavor?  I have, and Ukraine food is the best thing...  except maybe for the Kivalankas...  I know some others on here don't feel the same about the quality of food in Ukraine, but that is fine... this is just my humble opinion

[SilverBullet]

The food quality in Ukraine is excellent in the large supermarkets. I would be careful at local open door markets especially in Kyiv. My concern would be that some berries, vegetables could have been grown close to Chernobyl and be radioactive. Same for meat not handled properly by the street vendors. Compared to the US you don't see so much processesed frozeen food (TV dinners) as in the USA. As for vegetables and fruits, although excellent in Ukraine, it is even better in California with a larger selection to choose between. It is after all one of the best agricultural areas in the world followed by Ukraine. I just stay happy and healthy at PH and drink my daily Obolon, thanks to a combination that do wonders for me 

[ecocks]

No car.

[dazure]

I found the same. Though I was already a lightweight when I got here.
It is easier, and cheaper, to have a healthier diet, there are not so many easy pick processed food options (TV dinners), also (I don’t have a vehicle here) more walking.
I have a friend in NZ who is a health inspector. I tell him of the markets here and he is shocked .
I have not heard of any mass food poisonings.

[ecocks]

In two and a half years I have personally known of two people who "just died" unexpectedly of food poisoning.  Both were family members, one in Russia and one in Ukraine.  My impression is that while we are not seeing mass poisonings, this is not as rare as it is in West. I have heard from multiple sources in the business sector that "bad food" is a common reason for calling in sick.  People used this in the states as well however my impression is that it is more common here.

[matlockk]

A topical subject with me at the moment as I discovered that a weekend in the American medical centre is more expensive than a weekend in Dubai. A bacterial infection causing acute enterocolitis. The good thing is all that weight you've been trying to shed for months is off in 3 days. I'm really enjoying my diet of rice, potatoes and pasta now.

[dazure]

Actually there are ongoing, and sometimes lethal, problems back home.  http://www.abc.net.au/news/tag/food-safety/

There are far fewer take-away outlets here. Of course there are lots of street vendors here and some supermarkets (the local Tavrea) sell deep fat fried food. But to me as a westerner that is somehow not as accessible. Life back in Oz seems geared to take-away living.

There are huge health costs (diabetes, obesity to name only 2) associated with this life style that Australia is now having to face. There may not be food poisionings splashed across the headlines but the costs to life are there and significant.   
 
During a normal work day back home me and the boy (my dog Coke) would have Chinese take-away. He always finished his first and would then, silently, fix his eyes on mine. Mostly this did not work!
 
Anyway, I know from an Australian study that the Chinese food we were eating came out second only to curry take-away for sugar and sat-fat content.

[dazure]

Thanks mattlock. There is always an upside!

[SilverBullet]

No car.

I have been renting a Chery Auto!!! The worst car ever made and it is MADE in CHINA!!!There are no airbags in the car but gas mileage is great. I finally got rid of it, too dangerous to ride in Ukraine with all the crazy drivers in black SUVs ready to hit you at any time.     

[Carlushika]

No car.

I have been renting a Chery Auto!!! The worst car ever made and it is MADE in CHINA!!!There are no airbags in the car but gas mileage is great. I finally got rid of it, too dangerous to ride in Ukraine with all the crazy drivers in black SUVs ready to hit you at any time.     

Did renting the Cherry Auto break your UAH 55 a day budget?

[SilverBullet]

A topical subject with me at the moment as I discovered that a weekend in the American medical centre is more expensive than a weekend in Dubai. A bacterial infection causing acute enterocolitis. The good thing is all that weight you've been trying to shed for months is off in 3 days. I'm really enjoying my diet of rice, potatoes and pasta now.

I have never experienced a food poisining myself in Ukraine except after drinking tea with honey late at night in a night club in Kharkiv. I should have known better than to order anything else than vodka in a night club. In Kyiv Puzata Hata just keeps me fit and healthy. I trust their food 100%! McDonalds is safe too with consistent good food quality but you will gain weight with their calorie bombs.     

[matlockk]

A topical subject with me at the moment as I discovered that a weekend in the American medical centre is more expensive than a weekend in Dubai. A bacterial infection causing acute enterocolitis. The good thing is all that weight you've been trying to shed for months is off in 3 days. I'm really enjoying my diet of rice, potatoes and pasta now.

I have never experienced a food poisining myself in Ukraine except after drinking tea with honey late at night in a night club in Kharkiv. I should have known better than to order anything else than vodka in a night club. In Kyiv Puzata Hata just keeps me fit and healthy. I trust their food 100%! McDonalds is safe too with consistent good food quality but you will gain weight with their calorie bombs.     

Puzata Hat.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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