Cheap junk food and obesity

A pound of broccoli is 99cents. A celery stalk is $1.49. A bag of Doritos is $3.99.

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Yes, a lb of broccoli may be 99 cents, but who eats broccoli, plain? You need to cook it. That requires a kitchen. Some low income people don't have that. Maybe you nuke it with salt-- another 50 cents. Does that fill you up? It get boring if all you eat is broccoli all day. I'm lucky I have people to share food with, now. When I lived by myself, I found myself living off of 10 for 10 yogurts, a 99 cent loaf of low fiber "wheat" bread which hardly counted, deli meat and romaine. I wouldn't be able to finish it all, and most weeks, I threw away half the food due to mold.

Everybody in America has a heating source. If not, go to a 7-11, ask for free matches and napkins, go into the woods, gather some kindling, make a fire. Don't have a 7-11 nearby? Rub two sticks together. Want salt on your broccoli? Get free salt and pepper packets at Wendy's. Don't have salt? Hike to the nearest ocean and evaporate water. I'm sorry for being an azz, but you're perpetuating the excuses that caused this thread. The MAIN reason low income people don't eat healthy is because supermarkets are not located in low income neighborhoods. Low income people use public transportation. Cost of bus ride to supermarket vs. corner store that sells chips and soda. They will usually pick the corner store. Hence, the convenience factor wins again. It's about convenience/laziness, not price. Healthy foods can be dirt cheap, but have to be prepared.

It all comes down to education. Some people simply don't know.

I used to feel the same way because when I would diet, I was constantly trying to buy the lower fat alternative for everything ie.baked Doritos, reduced fat cookies etc. However, if you cut these out and buy fruits, nuts etc. I feel like you come out about the same, plus when counting calories, my food certainly goes much further since I am eating less!

I would agree that some organic whole foods can be a bit overpriced, but if a person exercised good judgment and tried to eat seasonal items, they could still eat quite healthfully on a moderate budget. It's really mind over matter. I love Aldi's grocery store, because I can go there and get produce (fresh and frozen) very inexpensively! But yes, I spent many years using that old excuse that I had to eat junk food because it was less expensive...we have to make our mind up that we are the worth the time, energy and money it takes to treat ourselves well...and then we will find a way to make it work!

I wholeheartedly agree, in the UK it's pretty similar, and with the rising cost of food more people are shopping at budget supermarkets and buying the supermarket 'basic' ranges, still as nutritious but not as perfect looking as the others. Frozen, dried and tinned fruit and veg are all good too not just fresh. Using more vegetarian sources of protein e.g. chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, soya mince etc is also a way to cut down on spending and healthier too

I don't think junk food is cheaper. I think it's easier. Everything out there wants us to believe we are busy busy busy busy! Have no time for anything, but yet we can sit down for 2 or 3 hours a night staring at our favorite sitcoms or whatever.
When I didn't have cable, I had so much time at night. I unplug on the weekends (no cell phones, laptops, electronic device, etc) and have so much time.

What sounds easier? Making a healthy meal from scratch or going through McDonalds drive thru?

To me, in my opinion, it seems as though the reason the majority of our nation is obese, is becuase the cost of junk food is so cheap and healthy food is so expensive! If we are trying to create a healthy America, cut the costs of healthy foods!!!! Lowerclass (and even some middleclass) Americans cant even afford healthy foods from the market, therefor they are buying whats cheap....JUNK FOOD!!!! We should not have to pinch our wallets for a healthy lifestyle! Some may agree and some may not agree. Id like to hear some of your opinions.

I think it is because Americans are, well to put it bluntly, STUPID! The average American (and the ones on here are above average ) wouldn't know "healthy" food if it bit them in the butt! Just because something says "low-fat, "diet", "natural", "multi-grain", or my absolute favorites "Lean" and "Healthy" (as in Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice) that does not mean that the product is healthy OR good for you.

I can feed a family of 4 a healthy meal for $6.50 or less (with some leftovers for at least two peeps lunches). 1.5 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast (on sale at least once a month for $1.99 a pound or lower) is $3, 2 bags of frozen mix blend veggies (I like California and Oriental) is $2 (again on sale), stir fried in Italian dressing (use a cup and the rest water) $1.5 for the whole bottle and you get 3 meals out of that so only 50 cents, some rice (partial bag $2 gets at least 2 meals-- this is brown rice, not minute rice) $1.

So thats.
$3
$2
$0.50
$1

Total $6.50 for a HEALTHY filling meal.... What can you get for a family of 4 from McDonalds for $6.50?

To me, in my opinion, it seems as though the reason the majority of our nation is obese, is becuase the cost of junk food is so cheap and healthy food is so expensive! If we are trying to create a healthy America, cut the costs of healthy foods!!!! Lowerclass (and even some middleclass) Americans cant even afford healthy foods from the market, therefor they are buying whats cheap....JUNK FOOD!!!! We should not have to pinch our wallets for a healthy lifestyle! Some may agree and some may not agree. Id like to hear some of your opinions.

I think it is because Americans are, well to put it bluntly, STUPID! The average American (and the ones on here are above average ) wouldn't know "healthy" food if it bit them in the butt! Just because something says "low-fat, "diet", "natural", "multi-grain", or my absolute favorites "Lean" and "Healthy" (as in Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice) that does not mean that the product is healthy OR good for you.

I can feed a family of 4 a healthy meal for $6.50 or less (with some leftovers for at least two peeps lunches). 1.5 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast (on sale at least once a month for $1.99 a pound or lower) is $3, 2 bags of frozen mix blend veggies (I like California and Oriental) is $2 (again on sale), stir fried in Italian dressing (use a cup and the rest water) $1.5 for the whole bottle and you get 3 meals out of that so only 50 cents, some rice (partial bag $2 gets at least 2 meals-- this is brown rice, not minute rice) $1.

So thats.
$3
$2
$0.50
$1

Total $6.50 for a HEALTHY filling meal.... What can you get for a family of 4 from McDonalds for $6.50?

I'm not sure where some of you people are shopping, but here in NW Washington fresh boneless skinless chicken breast goes for an average of $5.50-$6.50 per pound. Fresh veggies are also very expensive. On sale, green bell peppers 2/$3.00. There ARE no cheap veggies around here. Probably because the average population is, by national standards, upper middle class. The unfortunate poor can hardly afford to eat.

To me, in my opinion, it seems as though the reason the majority of our nation is obese, is becuase the cost of junk food is so cheap and healthy food is so expensive! If we are trying to create a healthy America, cut the costs of healthy foods!!!! Lowerclass (and even some middleclass) Americans cant even afford healthy foods from the market, therefor they are buying whats cheap....JUNK FOOD!!!! We should not have to pinch our wallets for a healthy lifestyle! Some may agree and some may not agree. Id like to hear some of your opinions.

I think it is because Americans are, well to put it bluntly, STUPID! The average American (and the ones on here are above average ) wouldn't know "healthy" food if it bit them in the butt! Just because something says "low-fat, "diet", "natural", "multi-grain", or my absolute favorites "Lean" and "Healthy" (as in Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice) that does not mean that the product is healthy OR good for you.

I can feed a family of 4 a healthy meal for $6.50 or less (with some leftovers for at least two peeps lunches). 1.5 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast (on sale at least once a month for $1.99 a pound or lower) is $3, 2 bags of frozen mix blend veggies (I like California and Oriental) is $2 (again on sale), stir fried in Italian dressing (use a cup and the rest water) $1.5 for the whole bottle and you get 3 meals out of that so only 50 cents, some rice (partial bag $2 gets at least 2 meals-- this is brown rice, not minute rice) $1.

So thats.
$3
$2
$0.50
$1

Total $6.50 for a HEALTHY filling meal.... What can you get for a family of 4 from McDonalds for $6.50?

I'm not sure where some of you people are shopping, but here in NW Washington fresh boneless skinless chicken breast goes for an average of $5.50-$6.50 per pound. Fresh veggies are also very expensive. On sale, green bell peppers 2/$3.00. There ARE no cheap veggies around here. Probably because the average population is, by national standards, upper middle class. The unfortunate poor can hardly afford to eat.

Those are crazy prices! You should move! PA is beautiful and cheap! :-)

If we are trying to create a healthy America, cut the costs of healthy foods!!!! Lowerclass (and even some middleclass) Americans cant even afford healthy foods from the market, therefor they are buying whats cheap....JUNK FOOD!!!!

I'm no expert, but have ready a lot of popular press on this issue. So this is my "informed" if not "educated" opinion:

1. As a country and as a matter of policy, the US HUGELY supports the processed food industry, particularly CORN subsidies. Corn goes into so much of our processed/prepared food, especially as sugar/HFCS. This artificially keeps those products cheaper than they otherwise would be. I think a first big step would be to end these subsidies that are, in the long run and at the macro level, really costing us SO much more (health care costs, etc.). If they were eliminated, not only would healthy/non-processed food prices compare better with junk food, but also more farmers would convert to these crops, diversify their crops, producing more fresh produce and thereby possibly bringing costs of those foods down even further.

2. A lot of people make the argument that "It's not expensive to eat healthy. Lentils are only XXX/pound" or "I can get lettuce at the farmers market for only YYcents." This is true for some, and great that that is possible. But look up the concept of "food desert." Many people - especially in cities - live in places where they don't have access to this kind of variety. No markets with fresh produce, or very limited and/or very expensive.

Here's a USDA map showing how much of the country they consider to be a "food desert": http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/fooddesert/fooddesert.html
The Economist (not a liberal rag for sure!) calculates that 10% of the US is a food desert: www.economist.com/node/18929190
This site has info on food deserts in the UK: http://www.fooddeserts.org/

3. Preparing healthy and inexpensive food requires a number of factors/prerequisites that many people don't have.
- Education on what can be done inexpensively. Hey, we're here actively seeking info and even we miss things or get confused sometimes with the seemingly conflicting information that can be out there.
- Someplace where food can be prepared, stored, etc. If that 10 lb bag of lentils gets infested with roaches, it's not going to do anyone much good.
- A life that is non chaotic enough or where people have enough brain space and energy and time to devote to the extra effort it takes to do this as things currently stand (see above). If you're worried about keeping a roof over your head, the quick fix can seem mighty tempting.

Everybody in America has a heating source. If not, go to a 7-11, ask for free matches and napkins, go into the woods, gather some kindling, make a fire. Don't have a 7-11 nearby? Rub two sticks together.

Really, how much of one's day would this take? (I don't mean to single you out in particular, just an example.)

Can it be done? Yes, of course. Is it reasonable to expect the majority of people to do this given the current state of affairs? Me, as a student of human nature, I'm not so sure. I would be one of the ones considered to have "all the advantages and pre-requisites for success" and I certainly make my fair share of poor food choices.

So what's the solution?
- Well, first off, I don't think it's necessary for the gov't to subsidize healthy food as much as STOP subsidizing the unhealthy stuff. That would be a good place to start!
- Second, make processed food producers be more honest about what's in their food. Just look at all the press these last few days about the "pink slime" in ground beef - but not on the label.
- Do more to educate people on how they can do this - and why it's important. That's a "general welfare" type of activity that government can (can!) be good at.
- Help people better understand - and be more responsible for - the effects (cost) of NOT being more healthy: e.g. medical costs. And did you know that normal weight people make $THOUSANDS more, statistically, than overweight people - at all education levels (more pronounced for women than men): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14998816
And are more likely to be hired?
- I think a lot more reasearch on brain chemistry and how eating junk can be a self-perpetuating cycle that takes hard effort to break would be helpful, too.

Lastly, a great deal of this is human nature. Research shows that even as young children, certain people are better than others at delayed gratification. Google "Stanford Marshmallow Experiment" for more info. Not sure HOW we fix that!

tl;dr: it's not as easy or simple as it first seems.

/preaching and sorry for the long post, it's just something I think is really important to address, and I'm glad we're talking about it!

{edited for spelling}

I'm not sure where some of you people are shopping, but here in NW Washington fresh boneless skinless chicken breast goes for an average of $5.50-$6.50 per pound. Fresh veggies are also very expensive. On sale, green bell peppers 2/$3.00. There ARE no cheap veggies around here. Probably because the average population is, by national standards, upper middle class. The unfortunate poor can hardly afford to eat.

Wow! that is expensive chicken. I get organic chicken in my area for less. How much are bone in skinned breasts. It might be cheaper to skin them yourself, and you could use the bones to make broth!

But in NW Wash shouldn't you be able to get cheap salmon? Sometimes when you are short on cash, you have to go with what is affordable for your area rather than what you might buy if you had a lot of money. Surely not all meat is that expensive.