Got really mad at the supermarket today

One interesting point I haven't read on this thread....
does everyone here realize that there are cities in the United States that do not have access to actual grocery stores?
I'm not making this up.
Due to the economy, crime rates,etc there are NO grocery chains left in Detroit. The only options these people have are what is stocked at the corner store or the few raminaing mom and pop grocery mart.
Obviously this was not the case mentioned in the OP, but the reality is our country does have a vast population who are not well educated regarding nutrition, good health. For many, even if they had the knowledge, they do not have the means to drive to a farmer's market or Trader's Joe or in some cases even to a regular grocery store.
This country has a lot deeper nutritional issues than what 1 woman put in her grocery cart....although many of those factors do lead to her lack of knowledge or wise decision making.
Another interesting topic not previously discussed is the reality that our foods are processed and manipulated in order to cause cravings for MORE of the unhealthy options. No, I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but you will never consider the food industry in the same light if you read THE END of OVEREATING by David Kessler. Food companies use the exact science as the tobacco companies to create dependence on fat, salt, and sugar. In lab tests, the dopamine receptors triggered by combinations of fat, sugar and salt were only slightly less than those triggered by heroin, cocaine or opium.
So take a person who is perhaps not nutritionally educated and combine her with a stacked deck in regards to her food and you have exactly what this country is currently struggling with....60% overweight.

Just on a personal aside, I was raised on good, clean eating...veggies, fruits, chicken,etc...no pop, candy and cookies.....as soon as I could buy my own food, guess what I went for?!?! You got it! Everything forbidden!

Interesting thread and view points.
My personal feeling is there is quite a bit of judging going on: by declaring *person A* to be judgmental, am I not also becoming judgmental? Just something to think about!

You are so right on in this thread. (I am from Michigan and know all about the problems in Detroit.) I wish more Americans would wake up and realize that the governement / FDA is NOT their friend. Same with Doctors and Pharmaceutical Companies. THey want you to be dependent on their goods. The more unhealthy the population is- the more drugs they will consume. Same goes for food- Fast Food Chains are a PERFECT example of this... Same goes for Marketing in general- even in retail stores. Companies spend MILLIONS and I mean MILLIONS of dollars every year - figuring out how to market - there is so much psychology involved- things would make you sick!

I wish more people would educate themselves in general- and then they would have a much easier time dealing with the fact that all of these "systems" are F----ed, and that they DO NOT have your health and best ineterst in mind. The bottom lines are all MONEY.. and the easiest way they can get your money from you.

Companies even spend millions on children- to learn how to make them be loyal to their brands for life (Kraft..)...

There was a debate a few months ago on a forum I'm on- that's all parents with young children- specifically who watch Nick Jr. And many of the parents were complaining about a new show because they didn't see the "education" behind it. What they all failed to realize is that almost all of the shows on that channel weren't created to EDUCATE their children- they were created to push TOYS.. (Dora The Explorer- The Backyardigans just to name a few).

This isn't targeted at anyone- just hoping maybe to open some eyes and get you thinking/ researching/ educating yourselves. The problems go much larger than just "nutrition education". The best gift ANY parent can give to their children- is to teach them to THINK FOR THEMSELVES and to STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS RIGHT!

Hope everyone is having a blessed day!

I agree with this person. You accused her of borderline child abuse? What an insult to children who are beaten and bruised and verbally abused as well as any other kind of horrible abuse that happens in our society. They probably wish that their abuse was being given a pepsi. I think we should feed our children healthy food, do nOT get me wrong, I just think you were a bit harsh on this woman not knowing if this was for a special occasion or not. I also think we should help keep our children from being over weight and encourage them to play, but I still say you were too harsh.

First, I didn't accuse anyone of anything. I never said a word to that woman, nor did I look at her funny. I voiced my opinion on what is, to all intents and purposes, an anonymous forum. Second, while beating your child may be the more obvious form of child abuse, after seeing first hand what an out of control childhood can do to people, yes, I do feel that someone can abuse their child by something like neglecting their nutrition. I'm not ashamed of my opinions on this. And I've already expressed my thoughts on the fact that there is the possibility of my opinion being wrong. Too harsh? Why is it too harsh to want a child to have a chance at a normal adult life free of intense ridicule and serious emotional issues later in their life?
There's not much difference between a child growing up to be an adult with severe self esteem issues, whether their parents caused these issues by constantly calling them ugly, or by allowing the child to grow up obese and be called fat, or whale, or cow by peers. You're damn right I think that's abusive!
Wouldn't you say a parent constantly calling their kid ugly is abusive? I know I would. What's the difference? Ignorance is not a reason, I'm sorry, I just don't accept the "I didn't know" argument. Not today. Not with all the free information out there.

Anyways, you called her borderline abusive on this site, based on a few items in her shopping cart because they were not healthy foods. Yet you admit yourself you have never met her. You can ramble on about how being fat can cause children to be called names at school. That would seem to be the fault of the children calling them names. They are the ones being raised by unkind parents that would make them think that is okay to treat someone badly because of their appearance.

Ok, so I started reading this post a couple of days ago. Banks....you really know how to stir the pot! I must say this post has made me seriously rethink how selfish have been with my healthier way of eating and I want to thank you for making the point that you did. It's set a fire under my butt about alot of issues.

First and foremost, my kids are extremely active....involved in sports, drill team, dance, and just generally active kids. Our whole family is really. My fiance plays hockey and is physically fit. They all eat whatever they want and never gain a pound. Therefore, it's been so easy for me to think...ah...you guys eat what you want, because it doesn't affect you the way it affects me. I haven't given much thought to the habits I'm teaching them and falling right into the cycle of the way I was raised....thinking diets are for adults and that food can be a reward or a comfort. I don't want to put my kids on a "diet", but I cleared my fridge and pantry of all the crap and started over this morning. All thanks to your post. They don't need to count calories, but WHAT they are eating is so important!

When I was at the gym yesterday, I noticed there's a new vending machine with water, sports drinks, and ENERGY DRINKS!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Really??? Monsters, Venom, NOS....it was all there.,..these drinks that have over 200 calories! Wow! This guy was chugging a Monster while on the treadmill....I was scared he was going to go into cardiac arrest! I love NOS energy drinks but have given them up, so how irritating is it the place I go to get healthy sells these toxic beverages!!!!

I know your post has sparked alot of discussion and I just wanted to tell you I appreciate your thought process and reminding us of a social issue in need of some serious attention. We can make excuses all day long about letting our kids eat crap, while we eat clean. However, when they are adults and they use food for self medication or teach their kids unhealthy eating habits....we will surely regret it. We cannot undo what we've done, but we can certainly change our though process and our actions....let's think about what we're doing.

I work in a supermarket... trust me when I say I see this on a daily basis. What gets me really mad is when they are paying for that junk with food stamps... the government needs to regulate what can be purchased with our tax dollars... no candy, soda, chips, etc... just the basics. I am not saying the lady you saw today was paying with food stamps or that all people on food stamps purchase junk food, I was just venting:)

I agree with you on the foodstamp issue, but its not so cut and dry.

I'm a single-mom, been on and off food stamps for at least 5 of the past 10 years. I did the research to find out where to shop to get the best quality for the best deals. I'll go to Trader Joes, Kroger and Meijer if I need too. If a certain store didn't take food stamps, then I'd use cash. For many months I only got $10. Once I got $367. They can cut it off at anytime, they can decrease it at anytime.

I watch a friend of mine only shop at a local generic food store (or the dreaded Wal-Mart) because it is the cheapest, closest place to go that accepts food stamps. She buys all the cheapest stuff, nothing is fresh. If she spends it all and they run out of food for the month they do nothing.

Proper nutrional education is not offered to the poor. I have seen classes offered, but they are not made known to the public. And those classes are not truly about proper nutrition. I've taken them, they involve boxed foods, canned veggies, etc. If you were to go to a local food bank for food, thats exactly what you would get. Most people who are poor enough to need food stamps do not have a reliable internet/cable access to learn the way we have. They also are most likely more concerend with keeping the heat and lights on than if the Kraft Mac n' Cheese is a poor choice.

While I was determined enough to seek out a proper nutritional education, my friend isn't. She needs to focus on keeping her heat on this winter. With a disabled husband and a 9 y/o boy, her $157 in food stamps per month barely get them through the first half of the month. Her minimum wage job can barely pay the rent and utilities. If she were restricted on the foods she could buy, it would hurt that family more than the Speggetios ever could.

I know that healthy food can be bought on a budget, I do it every month. But I have had hard times when feeding my daughter Speggetios was the best I could do. Thankfully, I am better off now. My friend, on the other hand, shes in the midst of a crisis. I can look back and see how I could have done things differently, but in the eye of the storm, theres no time to stop and redo stuff. It frustrates me that I have the information and I could help her, but shes not in a position to believe that this is the area that needs the help. She hasn't yet processed that food is the area that she can't afford to slack on, the lights and heat, well, payment arrangements and governtment programs can help.

I think that in order to get food stamps, you should have to take a nutrition and budgeting class. Most people on food stamps have kids on medicaid and medicaid pays for you to see a dietician. That is a benefit that no child should miss out on. It would save so much money in the long run, for both the family and the tax payers.

JMO
Holly

Very interesting thread. As a teacher, I took a class on povery a few years ago and it was very eye-opening. One thing I remember was about food. People in povery ask "Did you get enough to eat? People in middle class say, "Did it taste good?" The wealthy say, "Did it look good?" Since all of us here have internet access I am guessing most of us fall in middle-class. The truely wealthy are probably working with their personal chefs, etc. So we are looking at this situation through middle-class eyes. If a person is in generational poverty, they are more worried about their kids getting enough to eat. It's about quantity, not quality. I complain about money but I have never really wondered how we would feed the kids tomorrow. Many people in poverty are not thinking long-term, they are thinking how to survive today or perhaps tomorrow. I am thankful that I have the luxury to be able to meet my children's immediate needs so I can think about their future. I realize this is off-topic from the original post, but this thread is off to interesting places!

I am a teacher too, we are learning the same things. I agree with you 100%

I have had mixed feelings about what I have been reading.

I agree that it is very important for children to be fed in a healthy manner. I am a little puzzled by everyones judgements because we all got to this site somehow and it wasn't by eating fruits and veggies. Some people havn't had their ah-ha moment yet. Most people on here say their children are active and eat healthy... A majority of the high schoolers that I teach are not that way. If what you are all saying is true PLEASE work to keep your kids eating that way as they get into their teenage years!

That being said... It concerns me GREATLY the food that my high schoolers eat every day and I take time to try to encourage them to eat differently. I coach girls soccer and we bring a nutritionist in to talk to our players because they eat so poorly.

Very interesting thread. As a teacher, I took a class on povery a few years ago and it was very eye-opening. One thing I remember was about food. People in povery ask "Did you get enough to eat? People in middle class say, "Did it taste good?" The wealthy say, "Did it look good?" Since all of us here have internet access I am guessing most of us fall in middle-class. The truely wealthy are probably working with their personal chefs, etc. So we are looking at this situation through middle-class eyes. If a person is in generational poverty, they are more worried about their kids getting enough to eat. It's about quantity, not quality. I complain about money but I have never really wondered how we would feed the kids tomorrow. Many people in poverty are not thinking long-term, they are thinking how to survive today or perhaps tomorrow. I am thankful that I have the luxury to be able to meet my children's immediate needs so I can think about their future. I realize this is off-topic from the original post, but this thread is off to interesting places!

Yeah, I took the Ruby Paine class. That's the creator by the way. We certainly do perceive things according to our knowledge base. It's sad though that people only know their own certain mindset which creates horrible health problems. You can't fix a culture that will never have the resources to understand, I guess that's just natural selection, or we can just become communists. I prefer the former. Is what it is.

The problem is we don't educate people about diet and exercise..........I am still 26 pounds over weight and my start was over 200 pounds. Food is very tricky and not everyone is as educated .................if people don't see the harm in it when they first eat it they think there is no harm.

Let's be real here. Please. It isn't all education. It's self-control. And don't harp on those who have medical conditions yadda yadda yadda. The majority of us are here because bad food tastes good and we have a lack of self-control for whatever stupid reason our parents screwed us up from childhood. I know that a hamburger is worse than a salad with healthy ingredients. And no, ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing is not allowed. Enough, this thread is exhausted.

But hey Banks, thanks for posting this gripe, it really is the core as to why we are all here. Whether our parents didn't show us how to eat well, or society hasn't done this for those with crappy parents, it's the core as to why we're all here. It's about self control and making personal choices. Some don't have the control, and others do. Those who do, feel and look better, those who don't are in the hospital complaining of health problems that can most likely be attributed to being fat. Thanks Banks for hitting the nail on the obvious head.

I'm going to McDonald's for a couple hamburgers. Who shall I blame for this? My mother? Nah. My father? Nah. Hmm..maybe it's my choice. I'm no raving conservative, but COME ON. Enough already.

I'm going to McDonald's for a couple hamburgers. Who shall I blame for this? My mother? Nah. My father? Nah. Hmm..maybe it's my choice. I'm no raving conservative, but COME ON. Enough already.

I agree with you. This topic has gone way off topic!

Cheers for losing 109, simply amazing!

Good night you all~

I may not agree with you

I may get a bit angry

I may be a bit distressed

or maybe a bit guilty


but I am always a bit more educated when I take the time to listen to others opinions.

:flowerforyou:

I completely agree. One of the kids in my child's preschool class eats McD's EVERYDAY for breakfast. The child was about 2.5 yrs old and the parents fed them hashbrowns and some sort of meat patty every morning. I am nausious just thinking about it.

I can't understand why people get crazy over taking someone to task over poor nutrition. If we saw a parent giving cigarettes or booze to a child we would be up in arms about it. But somehow feeding a child chips and soda is ok? I have yet to see a fit and trim parent with a shopping cart full of junk food. I won't confront a person over poor choices because it probably will not make a bit of difference.

Education is fine, but it is not the only answer. How many people watch Biggest Loser while eating ice cream? It's far easier to talk about nutritiion and fitness than to do something about it. The tools are out there. Most people have TV and Internet and access to a public library. There is NO excuse for not educating one's self. We've used class, gender, race, economic staus as crutches far too long.

Obesity is quickly supplanting Cancer as a major health risk in the Western World.

To that end I'm going to list a few sites that I've found. Lets make sure everyone we can think of knows about these and any other resources you may know of!

http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/center/nutrition_center.html

http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html

http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/

http://www.nutrition.gov/

these are just a few that I found. Feel free to post more, and forward these links to anyone you think might benefit.

Just wanted this on the new page too. Thanks Banksy!

I have yet to see a fit and trim parent with a shopping cart full of junk food.

this made me LOL. I was at the grocery store a few weeks ago after working out at the gym. It was obvious with my clothing and a bit of sweat still clinging to my brow.

I had fruits and veggies.......but also 3 kinds of icecream.....THREE

The lady behind me, dress in kind, had this disgusted look on her face as I put the icecream on the belt. I then realized how really STUPID this was. So I put back 2 and kept just the one my DH likes (because he is an adult and can choose to be fat and unhealthy if he likes)

Just a Jeannie story................thanks for listening. :laugh:

LOL:laugh:

The last time I went to Kroger I had a cart full of veggies, organic soups and dairy, and a bag of ruffles with a jar of full fat dip. I didn't look at anyone because I realized how ridiculous it must have looked. I still bought it. TOM was here and I may have punched anyone who commented on it. LOL Looking back, I can laugh at it. :laugh: