Why Americans shed pounds in Europe: more walking, not just food

The author argues that Americans' weight loss in Europe is likely due to increased walking during holidays rather than differences in food quality. She notes that US food recalls are frequent, while Europe has stricter regulations, but suggests lifestyle factors play a larger role. The piece is an opinion column.

The article cites a notable rise in US foodborne illness reports this year, with recalls spanning lettuce, frozen blueberries, alfalfa sprouts, and fruit bars. Europe faces its own issues—a UK salmonella outbreak tied to imported eggs sickened over 200 people—yet is widely perceived as having stricter food oversight. Online claims about American bread and pasta causing bloating are common, with figures like Joe Rogan and RFK Jr. pointing to enriched flour processing as a culprit.

The author counters that lifestyle, not ingredients, drives holiday weight loss. American infrastructure, shaped by 1920s auto industry lobbying that criminalized jaywalking, leaves most cities unwalkable. European vacations naturally involve far more daily steps, which the columnist suggests explains the phenomenon better than food quality differences.