Dears,

I just read an awful story about a fat woman not fitting into an MRI, and getting badly bruised in the process. I've not had trouble, but if there's any chance you might, the suggestion on the list this story came from is right:

Identify the nearest open MRI now, so you know where it is when you need it.

This is definitely a safety issue. I'm sure this applies to other medical equipment, too, but I'm not sure what. I have known people who had trouble with gurneys and the like, but you can't plan for that.

But trans fats do lots of other unhealthy things, and should certainly be avoided.

For the record, I'm with Kulli. I remain unconvinced by any of this. There's still plenty to learn about the subtleties of metabolism, so maybe some of this will turn out to be true, but it doesn't sound very convincing.

I agree, dumpling. I think there are plenty of types of discrimination in, as you say, full swing, and it's just easier to see when it's directed at us. But we need to see all of them.

And for what it's worth, I think very thin people DO feel lots of pressure, and get lots of unwelcome comments. Not like us, of course, but bad enough.

I'm reposting this here, even though the original author probably disapproves of us, and even though many here don't like thinking about health or political issues, because I've seen a surprising amount of 'fatism' around FF. I'll be interested to see what conversation this provokes, if any...

J
*********************************************
The Socially Acceptable Prejudism?

“It is not easy to live life sometimes,
And face the world with a smile
when you’re crying inside.

Fatism leads to a vicious cycle of oppression. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, low self-esteem, frustration, anger, hositility lead the victim to more
eating.

Are you a FATIST?
How often do you:
1. Make negative comments about your fatness?
2. Make negative comments about someone else’s fatness?
3. Directly or indirectly support assumptions that no one should be fat?
4. Say or assume someone’s “looking good” because he/she has lost weight?
5. Say something that presumes fat people eat too much of the wrong things?
6. Disapprove of someone gaining weight?
7. Tease someone about their eating habits?
8. Participate in “fat joke” telling?
9. Support the diet industry by buying their services and products?
10. Say something that assumes being thinner is better?

Fatism
The term fatism has been adopted to describe the stereotyping of a person’s personal characteristics based on their body size. Much like racism, fatism holds the belief that others, due to their physical appearance, are less valuable human beings. Both are types of discrimination of others regarding characteristics that they have little or no control over.

The only difference between these two prejudices is that fatism remains to be socially acceptable. Why? Why do we have the right to treat these people differently simply because they are larger?

Fat Myths
Myth # 1: Fat is a Death Sentence
Studies have found that weight is not a very good way to predict how long someone will live or that, in some cases, the fatter people lived the longest.

Myth #2: Being Fat Causes Heart Disease
There is no proven correlation between body fat and atherosclerosis (the build up of fatty plaque in arteries), fat people are no more likely than thin people to have clogged arteries.

Myth #3: Being Fat Causes Diabetes
Based on research, most people can rely on a good diet and exercise to normalize health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance - with little weight loss.

Myth #4: Fat People can’t be Healthy
Those who are fittest live longest, no matter what they weigh. Generally, it has been found that fat people who exercise regularly live longer than thin people who don’t exercise.

Myth #5: You can Lose Weight if you try Hard Enough
Ninety five percent of people who lose weight on diets gain back every pound within three years.

We can’t stop fatism or any kind of prejudice on our own, but we can change our reaction to it which will probably influence the thoughts and actions of those
around US.

Do not be a fatist be a loving friend instead.
Fatima Parker
President ISAA UK
www.size-acceptance.org/uk

OK, here's what I did, and it came out very successfully.

2 parts barley
1 part apricots
1 part raisins/sultanas/cranberries
1 part roasted walnuts and almonds
4 parts water
sugar, cinammon, allspice, nutmeg to taste (spices are optional)

Mix everything together in a big pot and let it soak overnight.
The next day, cook over low heat for an hour, until water is absorbed. Taste and see if the barley is cooked enough--if not, add more water and continue simmering. You should be sure that the barley is cooked enough, and there's no water, so add water sparingly and let it absorb fully before adding more. Be sure to stir constantly to avoid sticking on the bottom of the pan. It should take about 1-1.5 hours to cook completely.

Place on a windowsill or back pantry to cool. Serve at this temperature, with yogurt, cream, sour cream, or ice cream, if desired. Also makes a good breakfast, if heated.