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There is a big, generally unquestioned assumption in trying to tackle the "healthful eating deficit". It's generally assumed that the cost of healthful foods, fruits and vegetables especially is a major bottleneck.
This is not the case.
#fafdlstorm
This is not the case.
#fafdlstorm
➊ Low income folks can afford fruits and vegetables if that's their preference and priority.
This is $37 worth of fruits and vegetables.
This is $37 worth of fruits and vegetables.
➋
28 lbs of produce.
A little napkin math:
Rounding everything to a 3.5oz serving we get:
128 servings
28¢ a serving
25 days worth of fruits and vegetables (5 servings a day)
$1.48 per day
28 lbs of produce.
A little napkin math:
Rounding everything to a 3.5oz serving we get:
128 servings
28¢ a serving
25 days worth of fruits and vegetables (5 servings a day)
$1.48 per day
➌ Another $7.50 covers the month. If you are a single adult on SNAP this leaves $155 (of $200) for everything else - if you are relying solely on your SNAP benefit to cover groceries.
➍ A few quick caveats before moving on.
1. This doesn't address the challenges of desperately poor people - who might not have even $40 for produce or they might lack a freezer to take advantage of cheap frozen vegetables.
1. This doesn't address the challenges of desperately poor people - who might not have even $40 for produce or they might lack a freezer to take advantage of cheap frozen vegetables.
➎a
2. NO, you aren't going to be recreating dishes from the Chez Panisse Bistro Cookbook on this budget. In fact, there is a frustrating donut hole when you are on a budget ...
2. NO, you aren't going to be recreating dishes from the Chez Panisse Bistro Cookbook on this budget. In fact, there is a frustrating donut hole when you are on a budget ...
➎b
... Things get expensive (to you) really fast when you try to venture past canned tomatoes, frozen corn, dried beans and barley. It's surprising hard to spend 10% more. The next step up in freedom and quality is more like 40-50% more.
... Things get expensive (to you) really fast when you try to venture past canned tomatoes, frozen corn, dried beans and barley. It's surprising hard to spend 10% more. The next step up in freedom and quality is more like 40-50% more.
➏
I think the real bottlenecks have to do with time, stress, and culture.
Turning cheap, healthful ingredients into good meals requires scratch cooking (and cleaning). That takes time and energy. Healthful convenience foods are expensive.
I think the real bottlenecks have to do with time, stress, and culture.
Turning cheap, healthful ingredients into good meals requires scratch cooking (and cleaning). That takes time and energy. Healthful convenience foods are expensive.
➐
And time and energy are scarce resources especially when you are stressed, you may have time, but really need that for 'down time'. And when you are stressed and tired, over run by cortisol and dopamine depleted, you know what sounds good?
And time and energy are scarce resources especially when you are stressed, you may have time, but really need that for 'down time'. And when you are stressed and tired, over run by cortisol and dopamine depleted, you know what sounds good?
➑
Cinnabun, Poptarts, Mac n Cheese.
Maybe we'll eat better tomorrow when you are less stressed, but right now I just want to feel good for a little while for a couple of bucks.
Cinnabun, Poptarts, Mac n Cheese.
Maybe we'll eat better tomorrow when you are less stressed, but right now I just want to feel good for a little while for a couple of bucks.
➒
This all the easier, all the more seductive and convenient in a food culture organized around highly processed, highly palatable, highly energy dense foods - and a culture where our palates are not developed to value and enjoy complex flavors including the
This all the easier, all the more seductive and convenient in a food culture organized around highly processed, highly palatable, highly energy dense foods - and a culture where our palates are not developed to value and enjoy complex flavors including the
➓
and a culture where our palates are not developed to value and enjoy complex flavors including some of the bitter and pungent flavors associated with dark green and cruciferous vegetables.
and a culture where our palates are not developed to value and enjoy complex flavors including some of the bitter and pungent flavors associated with dark green and cruciferous vegetables.
11.
Our infantilized palates, streamlined to the simple pleasures of umami, sugar, and salt turn healthful eating into a chore. And we don't need more chores.
We need more time and less stress.
Our infantilized palates, streamlined to the simple pleasures of umami, sugar, and salt turn healthful eating into a chore. And we don't need more chores.
We need more time and less stress.
12. We have affordable food. What we need is proper social democracy.
jacobinmag.com/2018/12/hygge-…
jacobinmag.com/2018/12/hygge-…
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