Should being fat in the United States be illegal?

[Thalassa]

of course there's the problem also that BMI isn't a fair measurement of whether or not someone's overweight... according to BMI charts I'm overweight but that's muscle mass instead of fat that skews the weight portion of it

also, would this mean that fruits and vegetables would be cheaper? that would be awesome because it's cheaper to buy junk food than to buy healthy food... that's why our grocery bills are so crazy around here

Perhaps I don't understand how this works, but I'm pretty sure organic foods would be more affordable if everyone had impetus to eat them: it's supply and demand.

Junk foods like Doritos and Pepperidge Farm cookies are quite expensive. And junk foods have become even more expensive with the decreased usage of trans-fats and HFC.

It's actually cheaper to eat things like beans, rice, grains, and veggies than it is to live off of frozen pizzas, bags of chips, and highly processed specialty foods.

Meat is also more expensive than vegetables. It's much cheaper (and healthier) to feed people with beans, pulses, lentils, etc. than it is with ham or steaks.

Advertising thrives on lies. One of those lies is "junk food is cheaper."

Sure, it's cheaper, if your idea of a healthy meal is to eat a steak.

At near starvation, it is pretty bad on the homeless population, they really have very few alternatives outside of salty pre-packaged "ramen" noodles, McD's (and other fast food chain) dollar menus, and so forth, but for the average person who is at least working class and can cook beans and rice, it's a lie.

A huge, huge lie.

I still think organic foods become cheaper with supply and demand, someone can correct me on this.

 

[KDude]

One thing I can't get enough of is pot pies.. those big Marie Calendar ones. I don't eat a lot of crappy stuff, but those things are like 1000 calories a piece. I think I have a genetic predisposition to be on the thin side, but anyone different would be screwed.

 

[Thalassa]

Growing up in one of the fattest cities in the world has really given me a fond appreciation for slim figures. I say bring on the fatties, it puts us regular folks' existence into perspective.


(sorry fatties of TC)

By the the time I was nearing my leave of WV, I felt near hyperventilation in the grocery store where I worked, watching 400 lb. people spend all of their food stamps on frosted circus cookies, frozen pizzas, Coca-Cola two liters, and Hungry Man dinners.

What a relief to live in California. I don't care if there are people here who are phenomenally beautiful who make me look average (while I was probably a big fish in small pond near my mom's home in WV) ...I swear I actually get more acknowledgement from men in the L.A. area that is positive, from highly successful men, than I did in WV. I swear to god that I never fit some normative stereotype there, maybe I was just too educated and well-traveled and opinionated, and it had nothing to do with my looks, but seriously I have more dates in a city full of aspiring actresses and models than I did in the land of toothless fat people.

I love the weather here. All the sun, all the people running and riding bikes and doing yoga.

Gosh I love it here.

 

[Thalassa]

One thing I can't get enough of is pot pies.. those big Marie Calendar ones. I don't eat a lot of crappy stuff, but those things are like 1000 calories a piece. I think I have a genetic predisposition to be on the thin side, but anyone different would be screwed.

Yeah well it's fine to eat that stuff in moderation. It's not "wrong" to eat any particular food. It's your overall diet.

People who allow themselves nothing fun or high calorie feel deprived and go on binges; but if your entire diet every day is a junk food binge, that's the problem.

 

[INTP]

How about raising taxes and insurances on junk food peddlers?

the model where junk food has pretty high taxes and taxes are used for many things including public healthcare and graves works pretty well. but that wouldnt work in US, because people would cry about taxes too much cuz socialism and communism and all aspects of them are associated to soviet union(and cold war), china etc.

 

[miss fortune]

Perhaps I don't understand how this works, but I'm pretty sure organic foods would be more affordable if everyone had impetus to eat them: it's supply and demand.

Junk foods like Doritos and Pepperidge Farm cookies are quite expensive. And junk foods have become even more expensive with the decreased usage of trans-fats and HFC.

It's actually cheaper to eat things like beans, rice, grains, and veggies than it is to live off of frozen pizzas, bags of chips, and highly processed specialty foods.

Meat is also more expensive than vegetables. It's much cheaper (and healthier) to feed people with beans, pulses, lentils, etc. than it is with ham or steaks.

Advertising thrives on lies. One of those lies is "junk food is cheaper."

Sure, it's cheaper, if your idea of a healthy meal is to eat a steak.

At near starvation, it is pretty bad on the homeless population, they really have very few alternatives outside of salty pre-packaged "ramen" noodles, McD's (and other fast food chain) dollar menus, and so forth, but for the average person who is at least working class and can cook beans and rice, it's a lie.

A huge, huge lie.

I still think organic foods become cheaper with supply and demand, someone can correct me on this.

first off, you're going for brand name items there... if I wanted to make mac and cheese instead of stir fried veggies, I'd be able to do the mac and cheese at something like 1/3 of the price... maybe that's because the midwest is obsessed with cheese or something, who knows... I DO know my food pricing though

I'm not living without meat by any means, and it's a lot cheaper to go for the unhealthy shit than to buy some decent quality healthy meat... hot dogs and lunch meat v flank steak and salmon, anyone?

sure, beans and rice are cheap, but they won't provide you with all of your nutrients by any means... and fresh fruits and vegetables (or frozen fruit as well for goodness sake ) aren't cheap... canned's cheaper, but it's pretty mushy and gross

I know this because the man went on a diet that's high in fresh vegetables and lean meats and the grocery bill definitely went up after that... I'm not a stupid shopper, I just like a variety of food and have a fondness for fresh as opposed to canned- it tastes better. No use in eating stuff that doesn't taste good, even if it IS cheaper because I won't be eating it

no need to talk down to me on this issue... I know my pricing, in the midwest anyway and I tend to keep my receipts as well

though I appreciate your passion, it is wasted on me... you should know that by now

 

[Quinlan]

Flour, sugar and fats/oils are very cheap and they have a long shelf life.

It's true you can eat cheap and healthy eating nothing but boiled vegies but generally to eat tasty healthy food costs a lot more.

 

[Thalassa]

the model where junk food has pretty high taxes and taxes are used for many things including public healthcare and graves works pretty well. but that wouldnt work in US, because people would cry about taxes too much cuz socialism and communism and all aspects of them are associated to soviet union(and cold war), china etc.

Yes, I know my countrymen hover just points above retardation, alack, alas. I meet travelers from Europe and Asia that know more about why West Virginia is no longer Virginia than people who were born in the U.S.

I just feel a necessity to do something about it. But I'm not starving myself or lighting myself on fire for anybody, so I guess I have to be more obnoxious about it.

 

[Thalassa]

Flour, sugar and fats/oils are very cheap and they have a long shelf life.

It's true you can eat cheap and healthy eating nothing but boiled vegies but generally to eat tasty healthy food costs a lot more.

I know how to make pretty damn tasty food for less!

So do most Asians. That's why they sell that shit to you so cheap in their restaurants.

You no stay four hour. You eat and you go home.

 

[Thalassa]

first off, you're going for brand name items there... if I wanted to make mac and cheese instead of stir fried veggies, I'd be able to do the mac and cheese at something like 1/3 of the price... maybe that's because the midwest is obsessed with cheese or something, who knows... I DO know my food pricing though

I'm not living without meat by any means, and it's a lot cheaper to go for the unhealthy shit than to buy some decent quality healthy meat... hot dogs and lunch meat v flank steak and salmon, anyone?

sure, beans and rice are cheap, but they won't provide you with all of your nutrients by any means... and fresh fruits and vegetables (or frozen fruit as well for goodness sake ) aren't cheap... canned's cheaper, but it's pretty mushy and gross

I know this because the man went on a diet that's high in fresh vegetables and lean meats and the grocery bill definitely went up after that... I'm not a stupid shopper, I just like a variety of food and have a fondness for fresh as opposed to canned- it tastes better. No use in eating stuff that doesn't taste good, even if it IS cheaper because I won't be eating it

no need to talk down to me on this issue... I know my pricing, in the midwest anyway and I tend to keep my receipts as well

though I appreciate your passion, it is wasted on me... you should know that by now

Actually you could get most of your nutrients eating pulses, whole grains, potatoes, and milk or other dairy products. You want to stock up on your garlic and onions, of course, and some spices.

It's good to have some olive oil and grape seed oil. I take this for granted now, just after three years of living in SoCal. I'm just like "go get grape seed oil and five pound bag of Japanese rice!"

Yeah right. Sorry, midWesterners, if I am being an asshole.

But for the most part you can mix it up with varying pulses, veggies and spices (do canned on some, like Hunt's steams their tomatoes so has the best quality canned tomatoes, and in some cases frozen are almost as good as fresh if you're going to cook them anyway, they maintain more nutrients than canned) and so forth.

Then you have your splurge items like if you eat meat, do steak or whatever a day or two a week. If you eat eggs, invest in those.

That's what people do in poorer countries, they eat vegetarian or whatever most of the week, and have meat on weekends that kind of thing.

It's totally do-able in a healthy way.

Americans are spoiled, point blank. They just are.

"McDonald's is cheaper."

No, no it's not if you get the Angus burger with fries and a drink. There are web sites that add up how much it is to make plates of grilled chicken or fish with veggies and a starch for less than a McDonald's meal, if it's not from the dollar menu.

I used to cook for some old and disabled people. I knew an ESFJ from a huge Argentine family who fed generations of her family. Big bags of frozen grilled chicken. Big bags of wild caught frozen fish. Big cartons of eggs. Rice, potatoes, pasta. Some frozen and some fresh veggies. Choose cans for things like chopped tomatoes and cooked spinach.

It's do-able, it's possible, but I think in So Cal we DO have a greater variety: Asian markets carry huge bags of interesting whole grain rices, Mexican or El Salvidorian markets give cheap cuts of pork or beef. We are replete with ethnic markets here and aren't hooked on corporate chain grocery like it's life support.

I'm sure you are a smart shopper. I don't mean to insult you or argue with you in any way, lol.

 

[Beargryllz]

If you could outlaw guns, outlaw fatties, outlaw taxes, outlaw drugs, or outlaw abortion, which would you choose?

 

[WALMART]

By the the time I was nearing my leave of WV, I felt near hyperventilation in the grocery store where I worked, watching 400 lb. people spend all of their food stamps on frosted circus cookies, frozen pizzas, Coca-Cola two liters, and Hungry Man dinners.

What a relief to live in California. I don't care if there are people here who are phenomenally beautiful who make me look average (while I was probably a big fish in small pond near my mom's home in WV) ...I swear I actually get more acknowledgement from men in the L.A. area that is positive, from highly successful men, than I did in WV. I swear to god that I never fit some normative stereotype there, maybe I was just too educated and well-traveled and opinionated, and it had nothing to do with my looks, but seriously I have more dates in a city full of aspiring actresses and models than I did in the land of toothless fat people.

I love the weather here. All the sun, all the people running and riding bikes and doing yoga.

Gosh I love it here.

Lucky, lucky you.


My friend just graduated law school and moved to Oakland, wants me to join him. It seems awfully tempting, heading out west...

 

[Hate]

If you could outlaw guns, outlaw fatties, outlaw taxes, outlaw drugs, or outlaw abortion, which would you choose?

Taxes

 

[Quinlan]

I know how to make pretty damn tasty food for less!

So do most Asians. That's why they sell that shit to you so cheap in their restaurants.

You no stay four hour. You eat and you go home.

You're probably right, I'm still stuck in a Paleo diet mindset, all that non dairy/legume protein and high quality fats are expensive!

I had great success on a low carb diet, do you think some people might struggle to stick with a diet based on grains and legumes?

 

[Quinlan]

If you could outlaw guns, outlaw fatties, outlaw taxes, outlaw drugs, or outlaw abortion, which would you choose?

Guns

 

[Thalassa]

Lucky, lucky you.


My friend just graduated law school and moved to Oakland, wants me to join him. It seems awfully tempting, heading out west...

Lucky, risk-taking, adaptable, hard-working me, yes.

I have had the blessings of others, but it was partly simply my own initiative.

I take partial credit for it.

 

[Thalassa]

You're probably right, I'm still stuck in a Paleo diet mindset, all that non dairy/legume protein and high quality fats are expensive!

I had great success on a low carb diet, do you think some people might struggle to stick with a diet based on grains and legumes?

I can't do a low carb diet, so....

Low carb diets make some people extremely ill, and make others simply feel lethargic, depressed, or lack energy.

Maybe it depends on what part of the world your ancestors hail from, I've read about diets according to genetic type. And no it's not as simplistic as skin color or something.

I think mine is like more in the Eastern Europe/Central Asian area.

 

[Thalassa]

If you could outlaw guns, outlaw fatties, outlaw taxes, outlaw drugs, or outlaw abortion, which would you choose?

Handguns or late-term abortion.

Banning taxes is extremely stupid and has horrible long-term consequences and outlawing fat people is just cruel, not to mention difficult to manage.

Even with guns I think people should be allowed to own hunting rifles.

The only thing I'm entirely morally opposed to personally is abortion, but I defend the rights of women to choose for themselves, so I would not outlaw early-term abortion.

So if hard pressed, I would pick guns. They do the most damage by stupid or insane people on unthinking impulse and opportunistic means.

 

[Thalassa]

Btw [MENTION=3712]Quinlan[/MENTION]

what Im talking about is blood type diet, which some people say is a crock of shit, but blood type cant be faked or speculated, and according to THEM, different blood types thrived in different areas in terms of evolution.

My blood type thrived in the Indo-European cradle of modern language and agriculture, meaning I do well on grains and some dairy (seemingly more from goats than cows), and mostly vegetarian with some fish and I think fowl.

Another blood type fares well on low carb, or the paleo hunter gatherer diet.

You might think its crap, but it sure explains why some people faint away or die on low carb and other people act like its the answer to their health problems.

 

[Quinlan]

Btw [MENTION=3712]Quinlan[/MENTION]

what Im talking about is blood type diet, which some people say is a crock of shit, but blood type cant be faked or speculated, and according to THEM, different blood types thrived in different areas in terms of evolution.

My blood type thrived in the Indo-European cradle of modern language and agriculture, meaning I do well on grains and some dairy (seemingly more from goats than cows), and mostly vegetarian with some fish and I think fowl.

Another blood type fares well on low carb, or the paleo hunter gatherer diet.

You might think its crap, but it sure explains why some people faint away or die on low carb and other people act like its the answer to their health problems.

No I totally get that, makes a lot of sense to me. Populations that derive from fertile, stable climates with a history of large scale agriculture have far less incidence of obesity. Whereas hunter gather populations don't seem to deal well with the introduction of grains, dairy and alcohol.

Although I think in the future they might have more sophisticated methods than blood type, perhaps something based on haplogroups or something?

Myself I have to avoid grains and sugar otherwise I become consumed with thoughts of food.