Step into a world where dinner came from real ingredients, commuting meant thousands of steps, and kids burned energy outdoors from morning to sunset. These weren’t “healthy habits” — this was simply everyday life in a tougher, faster, more physical New York. YouTube Tips ⓘ
Foot power and active lifestyle quality, and real food were part of a simpler everyday life in a tougher, faster, more physical New York City. The effect of active life and other factors are clearly visible in images of life on the streets in New York City showing slimmer people.
“Before gyms became trends and before processed food took over every shelf, the city itself kept you thin without you even trying.”
Real food was predominant. Processed food didn’t take over for decades. More people were dependent on cooking skills, rather than eating out. Supersizing food portions had not yet emerged in the 1970s. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were more clearly defined.
Purchasing groceries often involved carrying groceries home on foot. More people bought the food they needed for the next day or two. Most families ate at home, and working class families rarely ate at restaurants.
The major proliferation of fast food restaurants was still on the horizon.
Also search: Water Bottles | TumblersSoft drinks were occasional treats. Sugary cereal breakfasts were only beginning to appear. New Yorkers consumed a little more than half of the sugar consumed in the 2020s.
Relationships developed with shared activities, not online apps and digital messaging.
Walks, roller rinks, ice skating, and disco dancing provided physical activity.
Imagine being in a cinema in 1977 and you hear this banger of a song for the first time – most iconic musical opening scene (Stayin’ Alive / Bee Gees / Saturday Night Fever / Paramount Pictures / Box office Movie Scenes / YouTube). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Many people walked or took a bicycle to work. Only 55% of New York households owned a vehicle. Secretaries walked to deliver messages in the business location, rather than emailing messages.
Video games were only available in arcade businesses.
New York City childhood centered around outdoor play, and pedestrian culture was standard.
Were the 1970s a better time to live?
