Here in Bangalore you can really find neither of these very readily... fast food nor health food. Unlike the U.S. there are not fast food chains on every corner, which is probably a good thing, except when you are looking for a quick meal:) So far we've seen only 2 McDonald's both at malls, 2 KFC's & 2 Subways also at the mall/shopping area. This is a city of 6 million people--pretty amazing that there's not more. The Fast Food craze has thankfully not hit India. Also in the way of fast food via the freezer section there is little selection. I'm amazed now when i think about 4 long rows of freezer aisles at U.S. grocers. Here there are only 2 freezer doors of food. My kids are no longer eating frozen waffles for breakfast and microwaved chicken nuggets for lunch everyday...another good thing:D And one more thing about fast food...there are no baby food jars at grocery stores. I knew I would be making my own baby food when i got here to save money but i didn't realize there wouldn't be an option:) we did go to one toy store that carried jar food, before Kai was eating solids, but i didn't price it.
On the other hand, the health food/diet craze hasn't found its way to India either.There's not an abundance of healthy choices. 
No Baked Lays or "Lowfat" versions of food. Of course you can find foods that are not fattening but it seems America has been populated with fatfree, lowcarb, lowcal options on every aisle. Most things here are cooked with oil--fried, gravy with an oil base, not many grilled options. Lots and lots of yummy, buttery bread with each meal:) Thankfully there are many fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Another luxery I had become spoiled with in the U.S. was Nutrition Labels on food packages. It is not government mandated here and when there is a label on the package it is for a serving of 100 grams (not 1 cup or 5 cookies for example), which is usually way bigger than a person can eat in one serving:) Many times the whole content of the package is less than 100 grams:) And sugar content is never listed on a package. We can buy "whole wheat" bread but it's white so i'm not sure about that:)
No Baked Lays or "Lowfat" versions of food. Of course you can find foods that are not fattening but it seems America has been populated with fatfree, lowcarb, lowcal options on every aisle. Most things here are cooked with oil--fried, gravy with an oil base, not many grilled options. Lots and lots of yummy, buttery bread with each meal:) Thankfully there are many fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Another luxery I had become spoiled with in the U.S. was Nutrition Labels on food packages. It is not government mandated here and when there is a label on the package it is for a serving of 100 grams (not 1 cup or 5 cookies for example), which is usually way bigger than a person can eat in one serving:) Many times the whole content of the package is less than 100 grams:) And sugar content is never listed on a package. We can buy "whole wheat" bread but it's white so i'm not sure about that:) I hope i don't sound like i'm complaining i just enjoy sharing about differences. My kids are eating much healthier now...scrambled eggs for breakfast, grilled cheese for lunch. And we do still order Domino's Pizza every Sunday night to get our pizza fill! Yes they have Domino's!!
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I've wondered about that a lot! Dave and I are really trying to eat healthier. In books we're reading about "how people use to eat..." It's hard to think we shouldn't eat rice...other countries eat it and aren't obese like us. Has the move given you any insights into the poor American diet? Do they drink sodas? How do the Indians view health/fatal illness?... Good to see you're holding up the Sunday night pizza tradition! I had a feeling you'd find a way! ;)
Hi Desiree!
I'm glad ya'll are try to eat healthy! i'm sure you feel better.
I've seen that people here who only eat rice are really skinny but if you add rice to other foods that's when the rolls come on:)
I have seen that there are poor diets everywhere. But yes, fast food especially in america--it's so easy to eat out in the u.s. which usually means junk food.
THere are lots of sodas and lots of sugary fresh juice sodas--yum:)
I'm not sure how they view health and illness but they have practiced alternative/herbal medicine for hundreds of years called Ayurvedic Medicine. So I know they are really into the body and healing.
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