I read somewhere recently that 54% of our nation is considered to be overweight. After grocery shopping today, I can honestly see why. I decided after giving it alot of thought, that I was not going to buy sodas anymore, nor am I going to buy fattening snack cakes and stuff like that for my son’s snacks. I always bought him some fruit and stuff, but I’ve decided to just stick with fresh fruits and vegetables for snacks. Instead of buying soda like coke or pepsi, I’m sticking with water and juice. I just want to see what kind of difference it makes. The problem with eating healthier is that it comes with a price. Fresh fruits and vegetables are so expensive. Hell, I can buy a box of Little Debbie snack cakes for $1 and the box will last all week. Fresh strawberries cost $3 for a small package that lasts a big whopping 2-3 days. Fresh pineapple, apples, carrots are all rather costly. I am literally shocked at the fact that I spent $135 today and didn’t even get enough food to last us 2 weeks. Keep in mind that it’s just my 8 year old son and myself here. I paid $3.99 for a half of gallon of Orange Juice, and $3.99 for a half gallon of Juicy Juice for Eric. That’s more expensive than a gallon of MILK! I used to think buying all those cokes were expensive, but they are actually cheap compared to the good-for-you stuff. You’d think if they want us all to stop being fat pigs, they’d make this stuff a little more affordable.
That’s a great change. Yes, America is overweight, and unfortunately Houston is one of the fattest cities.
The good thing about my son is he really likes fresh fruits and vegetables. He likes those snack cakes, too though. He’s kind of like a human garbage disposal, he’ll eat anything. (especially if you give him some ranch dressing to dip it in..)
It’s hard to make certain changes, though. The soda is going to be hard for me to give up. I’ll probably give in sometimes, but hopefully not too much. We are a nation of fatties, though, and it is our fault in a sense.. but sometimes when you are starving and you have only a couple of bucks you can pick up a burger and a coke for less than half what it costs for a salad and bottle of water, you know? It’s crazy.
wow i can really relate to your post. not saying it just because i am one of those “fatties” haha. but it is true that “healthy” food is so much more costly that it literally makes people buy junk food because it is less and i also think it may be more assessable. it seems like there is a fast food restaurant on every corner and lets add that a greasy burger is only $1 and a salad is $3-4. i will never understand it. The news is always talking about our overweight nation but wont help to change it.
now on the other hand why should they have to help us when it is our responsibility to help ourselves. we can control what we eat and it is lack of this control that makes me scream. it would make people think before they put that grease or candy in their mouth because it cost so much more in the long run down the road having to battle obesity. so to keep this short…..
it is cheaper to pay the extra in food costs now than to buy cheep junk and pay for the price of your health later. things we take for granted now cost us a great deal later. for example walking, your back, doctor visits. and this all can be prevented by spending that little extra money to eat healthy.
THANK YOU for your donation for my bike fund. I really appreciate it. *hug*
If you look at it in those terms, then it is cheaper in the long run. My biggest concern with it is that I am on a limited income and it’s hard to see myself spending that much on food, but my child’s weight is becoming an issue to me.. and my own weight has always been an issue to me. When I say fatties, I was mostly referring to myself! LOL
I have gone up and down my whole life and I personally love me some junk food. People probably wouldn’t believe how hard it was for me not to buy soda. I am wanting one now as a matter of fact, but after having learned that even the diet sodas aren’t good for you, I’ve decided that something needed to be done. My son is gaining weight at a rate that really worries me, and even though he does not look obese, he’s a big boy. His father’s side of the family are all big, not like fat but just big husky football player looking people and I guess that’s where he gets it. I just don’t want his weight to be a concern for him in his future, as I know how hard it is to lose it.
In terms of what’s cheaper now, or later.. I don’t think alot of us give it that much thought. We should, though.
Thanks for the comment, and you’re welcome for the donation. It’s all I could afford, though or I would have definitely given more. Good luck with raising the money, it might take awhile but I’m sure you’ll get there.