How 1950s Housewives Kept Slim.

[Grant Fan]

People also only had thing when in season. We have everything all the time. I try really hard to eat seasonally as much as possible and it seems to help. The Fiance and I just had 3 weeks of less than good eating and I have gained a bit of weight nothing I won't have off in a month or so. But I normally sit at around 36 or 37, 27, and 42 (I am very hippy) , I am also 5 foot 9 (so on the tall side) but so I think that the being careful of eating correctly and in season has been very helpful in that.

[sheeplady]

Many women smoked to maintain their weight as well- I know my grandmother lamented giving up smoking as she gained weight. That helped to keep a woman trim, in addition to a better diet and more exercise. Nicotine slows down your digestive system, making you feel fuller longer and also acts as a mild laxative.

Also, I think individuals had better portion control of treats. If you look at most cake recipes, they were for a 8" pan- not a 9x13. The juice glasses were essentially about the size of shot glasses and you only had one glass a day, unless you never drank juice because of the cost. And like LizzieMaine said, the snack industry didn't exist.

My grandmother was the master of portion control. She ate potato chips as a treat once a week, and to keep them from getting soggy she stored them in the freezer. And when she served them she served them in berry bowls, so you actually got a serving like stated on the package. To this day, I love cold potato chips. She drank a small glass of juice everyday and pretty much ate a very healthy diet- at least compared to the average person from the US. When we used to go out to eat at McDonalds (my grandmother loved going out to McDonalds about once a month) my grandparents would each get a small burger, sometimes one small fry, and then they would eat out in the car the feast that my grandmother had prepared that normally consisted of boiled eggs, celery and carrot sticks, and well water. I don't think it ever occurred to them to have a lunch or dinner that didn't have vegetables- real vegetables.

[Flicka]

My paternal grandmother was rather big and in the '60s she got some dieting pills -- uppers, you know. I asked my mother if she lost a lot of weight from them and she said "No, but they made her very cheerful."

[John in Covina]

As a side note many believe that the use of corn syrup as a sugar substitue is considered to be a change that seems to make weight gain inevitable for aportion of the populace. The step to greater processed foods is also a possible factor.

[angeljenny]

As a side note many believe that the use of corn syrup as a sugar substitue is considered to be a change that seems to make weight gain inevitable for aportion of the populace. The step to greater processed foods is also a possible factor.

I watched this - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01k0fs0 and I am sure it mentioned how bad corn syrup was!

[MissNathalieVintage]

Sorry not 1950's: I was watching the documentary The 1940's house and the ladies of the house were doing exercises. And I have always been on the look out for an 1940's exercise book. I saw a few photos from one posted on Solanah's twitter page.

[lolly_loisides]

My paternal grandmother was rather big and in the '60s she got some dieting pills -- uppers, you know. I asked my mother if she lost a lot of weight from them and she said "No, but they made her very cheerful."

My Grandmother did that too. She lost a lot weight when she was on them but put it all back as soon as she stopped taking them. I remember her telling me that they gave her lots of "energy" and taking them made doing the ironing and housework a breeze.......

[fortworthgal]

^ Hmmm... anything that makes housework a breeze couldn't be ALL bad.

I agree with pretty much everything that has been said here already. Today, the general lifestyle is more sedentary with more conveniences, and processed foods are much more widely available, cheap & fast.

[LizzieMaine]

I think the modern substitue for "uppers" is those giant espressos you see everybody carrying around. The housewife in the Era would have been satisfied with an occasional cup of instant Sanka.

[fortworthgal]

^ In that case I should be good to go, since I take coffee with an IV drip. (I know it is vintage, but I can't stomach Sanka!)