P.S. This article is on the more scientific end of things--i.e., not necessarily written for the average person--but that's because of where I work and who sent this out (an economist).
Posts: 7218 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
We are having a rather heated discussion on the Obesity issue among children. It is amazing to me that people think that you can just tell a teen or younger, to eat his broccoli. School lunches are notoriously high in fat in our area. Sure when asked how they fix them, they say baked, yet they have been fried and frozen. The price of fresh fruits and veg have skyrocketed beyond anything we have seen in the last five years. A head of lettuce is over 3,00 and apples are $5.00 for 10. HUH? For a nation that wants or says they want to get healthier, how are you to do it? And then talk kids in to it.
It's never too late to get it right.
Posts: 3454 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
(I can't open the link at work, but I will when I get home, Sheri!)
Many of the vendors at our local market will accept all government-subsidised forms of food payment. I wish more people could get to markets like that one. Because it's seasonal, and local, you can't get, for example, apples, but in season, citrus fruits run 10 or 20 for $1.00; the most I've seen vegetables go for is 3/$2.00 for organic bell peppers. When I shop there, I spent ~$10.00 for a week's worth of fresh fruit and vegetables, compared to the $35 I spent yesterday at the grocery store (and that was with him being gone the majority of this week!).
Without having to pay ever-increasing fuel costs, locally-grown food is typically less expensive--though less plentiful, depending on the time of year and the location. Y'all up north are in winter...we're in prime fruit & veggie harvest & growing season down here. The few months of the year we don't get much local produce is the same time of the year it's too darn hot to do anything but watch tourists bake at Disney.
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
Goals: 1. Stop thinking like a chronic dieter and start living to inspire. 2. HALT (hungry, anxious, lonely, tired) I will stop and tune in with myself should I experience these things, and respond with something healthy. 3. One word 2008: courage 4. Eat slow and mindfully.
Interesting article. I wonder if the rise in healthy, nutrition dense foods is being controlled in part by the diet industry. There is a new food fad/diet out all the time. And even though obesity has become an epidemic in the US, there is also billions being spent on dieting. Look at the Bob Green labels that were (or maybe still are) on foods. They know this stuff sells, especially after a plug from someone like Oprah, so why not jack up the price. It is a sad truth though. People who are in low-income families cannot typically afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain or organic products. I have had times where I bought less than nutritious food because it was affordable. It makes me sad to see a mom at the store with a few kids in tow, and you can often times tell they have little money, and their cart is filled with packaged foods.
Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
thanks sheri. just confirmed what i see. what a shame. izzy
Goals: 1. Stop thinking like a chronic dieter and start living to inspire. 2. HALT (hungry, anxious, lonely, tired) I will stop and tune in with myself should I experience these things, and respond with something healthy. 3. One word 2008: courage 4. Eat slow and mindfully.
