Americans often report losing weight during trips to Europe, but Guardian columnist Arwa Mahdawi argues the key factor may not be the food. Instead, she points to the significantly higher levels of walking that European holidays typically involve, compared to daily life in the US.
Food Safety Concerns in the US
The article highlights a surge in foodborne illnesses in the US this year, with recalls affecting lettuce, frozen blueberries, alfalfa sprouts, and fruit bars. In contrast, Europe is perceived as having more robust food regulations, despite a recent UK salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs that sickened over 200 people and resulted in one death.
Many Americans claim on social media that US bread and pasta make them feel bloated, but they can eat freely in Europe without issues. Podcaster Joe Rogan has said pasta and bread "wreck" him in the US but not in Italy, citing theories about heavily processed enriched flour.
The Walking Hypothesis
Mahdawi challenges the food-focused explanations, suggesting that increased physical activity is the more likely cause. She notes that outside a few cities, the US lacks pedestrian infrastructure, with no pavements and hostile conditions for walkers. In the 1920s, the auto industry lobbied for "jaywalking" laws, criminalizing road crossings and framing pedestrians as foolish.
In contrast, European cities are designed for walking, and tourists often cover substantial distances on foot. Mahdawi concludes that this difference in daily activity, rather than food quality, likely explains why Americans lose weight abroad.
