Interesting Article On Whats Making Us So Fat

**staceyy** · 04-25-2007, 02:28 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/22/ma...00&oref=slogin

**OzFreeBird** · 04-25-2007, 05:06 AM

This is very interesting, thanks for posting the link

**TheRootedNomad** · 04-25-2007, 07:35 AM

I don't think the fact that it's cheaper to eat unhealthily than to eat healthily is widely unknown. I also don't think that the majority of the popukation would ever even make a connection bettween that fact and a piece of legislature. Deffinately something to think about, look into, ..... and discuss.

Thanks for the "food" for thought.

**nodmicks** · 04-25-2007, 07:46 AM

Very interesting!!!!!!! Something I personally find very interesting that sort of goes along with this is that years ago when our food budget was very tiny (lots of mac and cheese etc) is that we gained weight eatting no bigger portions.

**FrugalMomof3** · 04-25-2007, 07:46 AM

Very interesting, thanks for sharing

**annymoll** · 04-25-2007, 08:33 AM

I do think it is cheaper to eat in an unhealthy manner.I think most people know.Look at the price of a box of little Debbies, at Dollar tree, vs. the fresh produce we see at the market. Macaroni and cheese, for a quarter a box? Beans are higher, although better for you. it goes on and on.You can get an entire fast food meal for under six bucks, and a bag of onions is over six in some areas. That is craziness. Health care costs will continue to rise.( It is truly frightening to see schoolchildren who carry a tire of weight around the stomach area-in adults it is often linked to health issues.)

**nuisance26** · 04-25-2007, 08:39 AM

I disagree somewhat. We have a food budget of $225 a month, which the writer would probably consider poor, and we eat very healthy. The Farm Bill is a problem from an economic standpoint and an issue I've discussed many times but to blame obesity on lawmakers is ridiculous. Individuals are responsible for aquiring the knowledge and skills it takes to buy and prepare healthful meals. I don't care how cheap they make Twinkies. NOTHING would induce me to buy them instead of carrots. And here's a thought...If the price of fresh veggies keeps going up maybe people will actually get back to having gardens. The combination of hard work in a garden and fresh veggies to eat might also lower obesity. There's no substitute for doing your own work whether it's shopping smart, cooking from scratch or growing things. We must be personally responsible. Simple things like these are becoming lost skills. ~

**Jayne** · 04-25-2007, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

I disagree somewhat. We have a food budget of $225 a month, which the writer would probably consider poor, and we eat very healthy. The Farm Bill is a problem from an economic standpoint and an issue I've discussed many times but to blame obesity on lawmakers is ridiculous. Individuals are responsible for aquiring the knowledge and skills it takes to buy and prepare healthful meals. I don't care how cheap they make Twinkies. NOTHING would induce me to buy them instead of carrots. And here's a thought...If the price of fresh veggies keeps going up maybe people will actually get back to having gardens. The combination of hard work in a garden and fresh veggies to eat might also lower obesity. There's no substitute for doing your own work whether it's shopping smart, cooking from scratch or growing things. We must be personally responsible. Simple things like these are becoming lost skills. ~

I agree with you totally!!!

**acidcookie** · 04-25-2007, 09:49 AM

I don't mean this in a snobbish way at all, but this is exactly why I'm always wary of mostly the cheap, packaged foods I seem to be able to save on with coupons. I am only willing to cut my food budget so low (and it can only go so low) because I demand my produce and fresh ingredients.

**acidcookie** · 04-25-2007, 09:52 AM

Also, just noticed another thread posted right next to this one, which sort of reinforces the kind of food you can get cheap:

[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83055"]thread about website on cheap food[/ame]

What tops the list? Ice cream, packaged tacos, cookies, nuggets, fries ...

**justpeachy92** · 04-25-2007, 10:15 AM

I agree it is harder to feed a family healthy on a budget. With many families stuck in the 2 income trap, women don't have time to cook from scratch and garden any more, this lack of time also causes them to turn to convience food more often. I think for some it is also how they are raised, my dh and sil were raised on convience foods, I was raised on home made and home grown. My sil's grocery bill is lower then mine, but she also feeds her family what she grew up eating. I budget to spend more on food so I can get the healthier options. Honestly I stand there in the bread isle and often wish and think that the refined white bread should be $3 a loaf instead of 79 cents, and the whole grain should be cheaper. I feel this way in other parts of the store too. For the past few months a 3 pound bag of apples has been averaging $5, makes 5 packages of little debbie snacks a tempting treat; though they aren't healthy it would be more after school snacks for my kids.

**annymoll** · 04-25-2007, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by acidcookie

Also, just noticed another thread posted right next to this one, which sort of reinforces the kind of food you can get cheap:

thread about website on cheap food

What tops the list? Ice cream, packaged tacos, cookies, nuggets, fries ...

This is true, and so often look at the school lunches.They are often reduced cost, to help lower income families, but not as healthy as what you can get from home IF you are making healthy choices there as well. Of course it's a matter of taking responsibility at home. That's where it all should be based.Thats where the dreaded "R" word comes in- responsibility. But the goverment can assist. Pass out garden seeds in the low income food programs. Require a portion of food spent only on healthy items. Bump up some school nutrition programs.( I did have my g- daughter tell me that a nutrition lady comes to the school and they are having classes-SUPER!)

**nodmicks** · 04-25-2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

I disagree somewhat. We have a food budget of $225 a month, which the writer would probably consider poor, and we eat very healthy. The Farm Bill is a problem from an economic standpoint and an issue I've discussed many times but to blame obesity on lawmakers is ridiculous. Individuals are responsible for aquiring the knowledge and skills it takes to buy and prepare healthful meals. I don't care how cheap they make Twinkies. NOTHING would induce me to buy them instead of carrots. And here's a thought...If the price of fresh veggies keeps going up maybe people will actually get back to having gardens. The combination of hard work in a garden and fresh veggies to eat might also lower obesity. There's no substitute for doing your own work whether it's shopping smart, cooking from scratch or growing things. We must be personally responsible. Simple things like these are becoming lost skills. ~

I also agree with you. However 10 years ago I sure didn't know a darn thing about nutrition, cooking, self sufficency etc. I seriously thought well if it's unsafe/unhealthy they couldn't sell it. Can we say "STUPID". I contribute waking up to getting a copy of the TWG from a book club on the thrifty part and diabetes for the healthy part.

We do still but mac and cheese on rare occasion but oh am I wiser! It is much more challenging to feed 4 people and 10 pets more healthfuly on $320 but it can be done with creativity and work as you said.

**nodmicks** · 04-25-2007, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by justpeachy92

I agree it is harder to feed a family healthy on a budget. With many families stuck in the 2 income trap, women don't have time to cook from scratch and garden any more, this lack of time also causes them to turn to convience food more often. I think for some it is also how they are raised, my dh and sil were raised on convience foods, I was raised on home made and home grown. My sil's grocery bill is lower then mine, but she also feeds her family what she grew up eating. I budget to spend more on food so I can get the healthier options. Honestly I stand there in the bread isle and often wish and think that the refined white bread should be $3 a loaf instead of 79 cents, and the whole grain should be cheaper. I feel this way in other parts of the store too. For the past few months a 3 pound bag of apples has been averaging $5, makes 5 packages of little debbie snacks a tempting treat; though they aren't healthy it would be more after school snacks for my kids.

I agree with you on the two income and convience food comment. Years ago when I work full time we ate lots of it! Not much anymore. We have a surplus store that is dirt cheap and 90% convenience food. I absolutely can't take my dh there. He buys all junk. He says it's cheap! I say it's unhealthy!!!!!!

I now go alone to buy cereal etc there. I don't care if it is .50 for a 3 lb bag of snickers. Its junk.

**TheRootedNomad** · 04-25-2007, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

I disagree somewhat. We have a food budget of $225 a month, which the writer would probably consider poor, and we eat very healthy. The Farm Bill is a problem from an economic standpoint and an issue I've discussed many times but to blame obesity on lawmakers is ridiculous. Individuals are responsible for aquiring the knowledge and skills it takes to buy and prepare healthful meals. I don't care how cheap they make Twinkies. NOTHING would induce me to buy them instead of carrots. And here's a thought...If the price of fresh veggies keeps going up maybe people will actually get back to having gardens. The combination of hard work in a garden and fresh veggies to eat might also lower obesity. There's no substitute for doing your own work whether it's shopping smart, cooking from scratch or growing things. We must be personally responsible. Simple things like these are becoming lost skills. ~

I agree that the law is not responsibile for the obesity rate, that people are responsible for thier own choices. I think, and what I not so clearly was trying to say before, was that I don't think most people even make the connection between the higher price of healthy food vs. not healthy food and legislation, even though we do realize that the price difference exsits. For those of us frugalites who also like to eat healthy I believe it's worth looking into. It would be nice to change the prices to meet both priorities.