Why Were We So Thin in the 70s? (The Truth Will Surprise You)

Looking back at photos from the 1970s, many people are struck by how much slimmer the general population appeared to be. While modern fitness trends focus on high-intensity workouts and specialized supplements, the “recipe” for the lean physiques of the 70s was built on a foundation of unintentional activity and a radically different food environment.

The truth isn’t found in a magic pill, but in a series of lifestyle habits that have largely vanished from the modern world.

1. The “Hidden” Activity Recipe

In the 1970s, movement was not an “extra” activity added to the day; it was built into the fabric of daily life.

• Incidental Exercise: Without the convenience of the internet or smartphones, people walked more often to reach local shops, post offices, or neighbors’ homes.

• Physical Labor: Household chores were more physically demanding. Fewer automated appliances meant more manual scrubbing, hanging laundry on lines, and intensive yard work.

• Childhood Play: Children spent the majority of their daylight hours outdoors in active, unstructured play, which set a metabolic baseline early in life.

2. Eating Habits: Structure vs. Snacking

The way people consumed food in the 70s followed a much stricter “recipe” than today’s constant grazing culture.

• Three Square Meals: Snacking between meals was generally discouraged and culturally viewed as “spoiling your dinner”. This allowed the body to enter a fasted state between meals, aiding in insulin sensitivity.

• Home Cooking: Fast food was a rare treat rather than a weekly staple. Most meals were prepared at home using whole ingredients, significantly reducing the intake of hidden sugars and ultra-processed oils.

• Beverage Choices: Water, tea, and black coffee were the standard drinks. Sugary sodas were typically served in much smaller portions and reserved for special occasions.

3. The Portion Size Shift

One of the most surprising truths about the 70s is the physical size of the dinner plate.

• Plate Dimensions: In the 1970s, the average dinner plate was approximately 9 inches in diameter. Today, the standard plate has grown to 11 or 12 inches, leading to a natural (and often unconscious) increase in calorie consumption.

• Restaurant Norms: Portions in restaurants were human-sized rather than the “super-sized” offerings that became common in subsequent decades.

Quick Reference: 1970s vs. Today

Summary

We were slimmer in the 70s because the environment made it difficult to be sedentary and even harder to overeat ultra-processed foods. By returning to a “recipe” of home-cooked meals, structured eating times, and increased incidental movement, we can tap into that same natural vitality today.