Obesity in America

[abcgrad94]

I read somewhere that certain companies put addictive substances in their foods to make people crave it. I don't know if it's true or not, but Oreo cookies and a brand of potato chips were listed as having addiction causing ingredients. There might have been a lawsuit over it. Maybe someone else here knows more about it than I do?

 

[rbell]

I read somewhere that certain companies put addictive substances in their foods to make people crave it.

C(12)H(22)O(11).

Quite the dangerous substance.

 

[Salty]

Factors, IMO:

• Lazy parenting. It takes more work to fix good meals.
• Bad financial planning. When I was growing up we didn't eat out because it "cost too much." Now, most folks couldn't tell you how much $$ per month they spend on food--much less eating out--if they had to. People eat out whether they can afford to or not.
• Both parents working. I'm not arguing morality here...but the fact remains, if mom & dad both work, when the workday's done, everyone's tired...it's just easier to pick up burgers & fries.
• Single parent homes. Similar to above...mom (or dad) is just too tired. Let's get a happy meal tonight...I don't feel like cooking.
• More entertaining for sedentary folks:
  • more and better computer games
  • internet
  • more TV options for any programming tastes
  • TV in kids' rooms (!)
  • movie rentals
• (in this area) more homework. Many kids get home at 3:30, and might have 2-3 hours of homework. When that's done, it's pretty much supper, bath, & bed. Combine that with no PE, and you've got a "fat recipe."
• The doing away with "spontaneous play." I was of the last generation that approached sports with, "Hey...there are 10 of us that want to play baseball. Let's go to the vacant lot and do it!" Today, everything's organized by adults into leagues...it's more trouble, more money, and less fun for the kids...particularly the ones who don't eat, sleep, and excrete sports. Thus, they just don't play.
• (this one will get me strung up): More "safety-conscious" parenting. I know there's a good side to this...but now we worry when it's too hot. Or too cold. Or too wet. We worry when they want to ride their bikes, and we have to go buy helmets, elbow & knee pads, and bubble wrap to keep them from skinning a body part. We can't let them play down the street because of molesters, bad kids, and a myriad of seen & unseen dangers. Like I said, there's a good (and needed) side to this, and practice some of this safety. But, it's more of an ordeal now for the kids to just up and play. And, no doubt, some parents go a bit overboard.
• Parents that refuse to tell their kids, "Go outside and play!" And then make them do it.
• Parents that refuse to say no to their kids' requests for a constant diet of sugar-loaded snacks. "No" is a dirty word to many parents today.

Excellent post Rbell :thumbs: me thinks you should copyright this!!:type:

Salty

PS Do BB members have permission to print this in their church bulletin?:saint:

 

[abcgrad94]

C(12)H(22)O(11).

Quite the dangerous substance.

I'll be one of those "clueless" people and ask. What is C(12)H(22)O(11)? My hopeful guess is chocolate!:laugh:

 

[tinytim]

I'll be one of those "clueless" people and ask. What is C(12)H(22)O(11)? My hopeful guess is chocolate!:laugh:

Didn't you take Chemistry? It is Sucrose. A Carbo..Hydr..ate...

The most important substance known to mankind!!!

 

[abcgrad94]

Guess I was too busy studying the boys in chemistry class. That's okay, you and rbell can smear me with clue musk and send me out into a field to see if I can catch a clue.:laugh:

 

[donnA]

I don't know about where anyone else lives but here fresh veggies are sky high. If I bought those we would only be able to eat part of a week. Has nothing to do with mcdonalds, abcgrad94 is right, it's cheaper to eat foods that aren't as good for you then it is to eat healthy foods. If the money just doesn't exsist it just doesn't exsist. If you can make the right choices for your family and be able to pay for it, then good. But I don't have finical choices. If I has space to grow veggies I certainly would. But you have to own land first, I wouldn't be poor then.

 

[Joe]

abcgrad94 is right, it's cheaper to eat foods that aren't as good for you then it is to eat healthy foods. If the money just doesn't exsist it just doesn't exsist. If you can make the right choices for your family and be able to pay for it, then good. But I don't have finical choices. If I has space to grow veggies I certainly would. But you have to own land first, I wouldn't be poor then.

Yes, Donna it's sad that the healthier the food, the more expensive it is. Milk has really gone up in price, so has everything else here. When money is a priority, you just do what you can.
I used to go through the newspaper recycling bin to get coupons from the paper. I placed them in a coupon organizer and shopped for whatever was on sale and/or what I had a coupon for. Often getting products at no cost and buying in bulk. Double coupon days at a few of the local stores were pretty exciting ! Though I hated it when I saw people I knew while I was filtering through coupons.

Joe

 

[Hopeful]

My dear hubby loved to have a garden--and we certainly enjoyed those very fresh and tasty veggies he grew...BUT, as the keeper of the house finances, I can tell you that AT BEST, we broke even on cost of growing our own versus buying them from a fresh market .... and BOTH those options were more expensive than just buying canned veggies, which could be had not too long ago for 3 cans/$1.00 at a regional grocery-chain.

 

[rbell]

Guess I was too busy studying the boys in chemistry class. That's okay, you and rbell can smear me with clue musk and send me out into a field to see if I can catch a clue.:laugh:

Unfortunately, I don't know the chemical formula for "clue musk."

 

[saturneptune]

I don't know about where anyone else lives but here fresh veggies are sky high. If I bought those we would only be able to eat part of a week. Has nothing to do with mcdonalds, abcgrad94 is right, it's cheaper to eat foods that aren't as good for you then it is to eat healthy foods. If the money just doesn't exsist it just doesn't exsist. If you can make the right choices for your family and be able to pay for it, then good. But I don't have finical choices. If I has space to grow veggies I certainly would. But you have to own land first, I wouldn't be poor then.

That is correct, McDonalds has nothing to do with it. You can buy a $1 salad at McDonalds. What amazes me is anyone who says they cannot afford healthy food but can have a car payment and internet bill.

 

[TaterTot]

Thats exactly what I meant by saying that we arent willing to pay the price. We are a selfish people.

We buy tons of snacks and junk foods, sugary cereals, movies, magazines, clothes, etc. ...yet we cant afford to serve fresh vegetables. I just think we could be better stewards.

 

[KenH]

Milk has really gone up in price, so has everything else here.

1. We are using our corn now to produce fuel for our vehicles which is an insane thing to do.

2. The federal government is vastly understating the true rate of inflation in these United States(see www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20071006202434176) due to the devaluation of the U.S. dollar. We also see the impact of this in the price of oil. It is not a coincidence that the price of oil has risen so steeply during the past four years as the value of the U.S. dollar has plummeted.

 

[Joe]

Alright Ken :thumbs:

Once the government learns the $$ they loose, then I bet it will be illegal. Maybe some will not get permits

 

[donnA]

That is correct, McDonalds has nothing to do with it. You can buy a $1 salad at McDonalds. What amazes me is anyone who says they cannot afford healthy food but can have a car payment and internet bill.

I don't have a car payemnt, or a house payment, or payment for anything other then utilities, and I pay very little for internet through my phone company. healthy food costs a lot more then one month of internet, or hadn't you noticed. I would ahve to spend about $100. a week, at least, and we don't have it.

 

[donnA]

Thats exactly what I meant by saying that we arent willing to pay the price. We are a selfish people.

We buy tons of snacks and junk foods, sugary cereals, movies, magazines, clothes, etc. ...yet we cant afford to serve fresh vegetables. I just think we could be better stewards.

Don't buy any of those things. Not even clothes.

 

[saturneptune]

I don't have a car payemnt, or a house payment, or payment for anything other then utilities, and I pay very little for internet through my phone company. healthy food costs a lot more then one month of internet, or hadn't you noticed. I would ahve to spend about $100. a week, at least, and we don't have it.

I was not talking about you, just a general statement. Yes, healthy foods cost more money. One might be better off picking up a dollar side salad at one of the fast food places than buying all the ingredients.

There are some well off people here, but for the most part, people live on retail store type jobs.

 

[EdSutton]

Don't buy any of those things. Not even clothes.

It gets pretty cold here in the winter, Madame Emperor. :smilewinkgrin:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Ed

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Three page closure notice.

This thread will be closed some time after 8.00 AM EDT

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Three page closure notice.

This thread will be closed some time after 8.00 AM EDT

Closed at 12:25