Poor people can't afford healthy food

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. I am sorry I wasn't clear. My point was that I keep hearing that poor people can't afford to eat healthy, but it can be done. It just involves planning, and cooking, and accepting that you may eat the same meals several days in a row.

Not always. Thanks for your singular data point.

Name some typical circumstances why it couldn’t e done, then. I can’t think of any reason why the same poor person could easily obtain for themselves Takis and Mountain Dew but not a can of pinto beans.

Because most convenience stores don’t have pinto beans?

Because more people than you think don’t have the means to cook a can of pinto beans.

Because they are hungry, it is 9 at night and they just want something in the stomach.

Because Takis and a MD taste better than a can of plain pinto beans.

None of these are absolute barriers except, maaaybe, the person who can push their walker 100 feet to the bodega for Takis but cannot take the no-cost bus (free for their demonstrably poor selves) to the Kroger for a can of beans.

Tough shit if cold beans from a can don’t taste as good as Cheetos. Don’t blame Society for dogshit food preferences when you get cardiac disease and diabetes. Blame your weak self

[Anonymous]

It's SO weird to me that people in poverty are expected to hold themselves to a high standard when it comes to food choices, but nobody freaks out when rich people to eat the Takis and Mountain Dew.

America has this weird belief that people in poverty, single moms, BIPOC are all supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than the average middle class white dude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's SO weird to me that people in poverty are expected to hold themselves to a high standard when it comes to food choices, but nobody freaks out when rich people to eat the Takis and Mountain Dew.

America has this weird belief that people in poverty, single moms, BIPOC are all supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than the average middle class white dude.

Do my tax dollars directly — directly— pay for Tim’s stent placement when he has an occluded artery due to Takis and chik-fil-a, if Tim’s HHI is $300k and he has BCBS through his job at a trade association?

No, no they don’t.

My insurance premiums, possibly, but in that case at least Tim is paying his own co-pay and premiums, along with his employer.

Poor Doris with the clogged arteries happily accepts 100% medicaid subsidy for her stent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. I am sorry I wasn't clear. My point was that I keep hearing that poor people can't afford to eat healthy, but it can be done. It just involves planning, and cooking, and accepting that you may eat the same meals several days in a row.

Not always. Thanks for your singular data point.

Name some typical circumstances why it couldn’t e done, then. I can’t think of any reason why the same poor person could easily obtain for themselves Takis and Mountain Dew but not a can of pinto beans.

I can - they live in a food desert and the corner store doesn't sell pinto beans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. I am sorry I wasn't clear. My point was that I keep hearing that poor people can't afford to eat healthy, but it can be done. It just involves planning, and cooking, and accepting that you may eat the same meals several days in a row.

Not always. Thanks for your singular data point.

Name some typical circumstances why it couldn’t e done, then. I can’t think of any reason why the same poor person could easily obtain for themselves Takis and Mountain Dew but not a can of pinto beans.

Because most convenience stores don’t have pinto beans?

Because more people than you think don’t have the means to cook a can of pinto beans.

Because they are hungry, it is 9 at night and they just want something in the stomach.

Because Takis and a MD taste better than a can of plain pinto beans.

Convenience stores sell lots of foods. It’s clear you’re just making things up and don’t actually know how, when, where or why people shop. You’re just a contrarian.

Sure they sell all kinds of things. It’s a convenience store after all. But who is actually eating just a can of pinto beans? Plus, that can of beans is probably inflated in price for the convenience of it. You’re the one who is out of touch if you think I’m making things up.

So, if you think I’m making things up - give yourself $275 this month to shop at only your local convenience store (which is probably better than any inner city one already). You must only use the ingredients you buy during this time (including spices, oil, margarine, etc.) - no using what you have in house already as most people don’t have extra money to build up a pantry. You can only shop and cook 630-9pm and must not use your car. You’re limited to only use 1 burner to replicate a typical allowed hot plate element in many small apartments or rental units, plus a toaster oven, kettle, and small microwave (a lot of people don’t have those either). You can only use 1 pot. Any leftovers and purchased fresh food can only go in the crispers of your fridge, to replicate the size of a bar fridge, which again, is all many people have. Anything above and beyond that you need to cook that is a normal consumable- foil, containers to store, etc. have to come from your budget.

I suspect you’ll survive and feed yourself, but maybe you’ll learn something. If it feels pretty easy, keep going and see how you feel about your single can of pinto beans for dinner.

I think it depends where you live how common it is that people only have a hot plate to cook on.

As to the $275 - again, food stamps are not intended to cover a family’s entire grocery budget. They never were.

Did it occur to you that the intent is not the point - that living this way the reality for many people?

And it’s nice that you think many people don’t just have a hot plate. Do you know how many people DO? Or are living in motels that may not even have that?

Rents are only going up. People are having to do with much less to even have a roof over their heads. Many people, especially young people, are couch surfing. Many people don’t qualify for benefits as they have no documentation or no real address. Some people look like they make a fair amount of money, but most of their money goes to shelter and maybe a car. If you think there’s no food insecurity in your nice neighborhood, you’re probably wrong.


It’s interesting who is being contrary now. I imagine most people on here have never actually lived under the conditions that necessitate some of the choices many people have to make, or make for so many reasons. This isn’t an organic vs. Regular food, or nanny vs. Daycare debate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. I am sorry I wasn't clear. My point was that I keep hearing that poor people can't afford to eat healthy, but it can be done. It just involves planning, and cooking, and accepting that you may eat the same meals several days in a row.

Not always. Thanks for your singular data point.

Name some typical circumstances why it couldn’t e done, then. I can’t think of any reason why the same poor person could easily obtain for themselves Takis and Mountain Dew but not a can of pinto beans.

I can - they live in a food desert and the corner store doesn't sell pinto beans.

The government should require all stores to carry pinto beans. We will need to fund an enforcement arm though. Probably call it the BSA, Bean Service Authority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's SO weird to me that people in poverty are expected to hold themselves to a high standard when it comes to food choices, but nobody freaks out when rich people to eat the Takis and Mountain Dew.

America has this weird belief that people in poverty, single moms, BIPOC are all supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than the average middle class white dude.

Do my tax dollars directly — directly— pay for Tim’s stent placement when he has an occluded artery due to Takis and chik-fil-a, if Tim’s HHI is $300k and he has BCBS through his job at a trade association?

No, no they don’t.

My insurance premiums, possibly, but in that case at least Tim is paying his own co-pay and premiums, along with his employer.

Poor Doris with the clogged arteries happily accepts 100% medicaid subsidy for her stent.

Well, if you hate the decisions the poors make so much guide your votes to allow them assistance that is actually designed to help them. Vote for zoning that requires the provisions that eliminate food deserts. Vote for rent controls. Vote for minimum wages that are actually living wages. Support business that give living wages, and things like benefits and to even part time employees. Support birth control access for all. Vote for mental health support.

Oh and maybe understand that Doris is 90 with dementia and no family support. She used to know the neighborhood, but now needs to take two buses to the grocery store and it’s exhausting and confusing for her. Every cent she has goes back into the economy. Tim is saving for a rainy day that will never come just so he can brag about his bank account, uses more fossil
Fuels than are needed, gouges the environment and is raising ignorant kids that are just like him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's SO weird to me that people in poverty are expected to hold themselves to a high standard when it comes to food choices, but nobody freaks out when rich people to eat the Takis and Mountain Dew.

America has this weird belief that people in poverty, single moms, BIPOC are all supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than the average middle class white dude.

In fact, poor people need to meet an even higher standard to move up the social ladder.

[Anonymous]

The vast majority of poor people have kitchens and running water and access to grocery stores. Stop it with your “what if you have no arms and live in a box, then eating junk food is your only option!” Most people who eat a lot of junk food have other options available to them and are making the choice to do that. Building grocery stores in poor areas or giving them more money will not actually solve the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's SO weird to me that people in poverty are expected to hold themselves to a high standard when it comes to food choices, but nobody freaks out when rich people to eat the Takis and Mountain Dew.

America has this weird belief that people in poverty, single moms, BIPOC are all supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than the average middle class white dude.

I don't think they have to hold themselves to a higher standard. They just also have a choice to eat healthy or not - same as anyone else. They aren't eating unhealthy due to circumstance but by choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's SO weird to me that people in poverty are expected to hold themselves to a high standard when it comes to food choices, but nobody freaks out when rich people to eat the Takis and Mountain Dew.

America has this weird belief that people in poverty, single moms, BIPOC are all supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than the average middle class white dude.

Do my tax dollars directly — directly— pay for Tim’s stent placement when he has an occluded artery due to Takis and chik-fil-a, if Tim’s HHI is $300k and he has BCBS through his job at a trade association?

No, no they don’t.

My insurance premiums, possibly, but in that case at least Tim is paying his own co-pay and premiums, along with his employer.

Poor Doris with the clogged arteries happily accepts 100% medicaid subsidy for her stent.

Well, if you hate the decisions the poors make so much guide your votes to allow them assistance that is actually designed to help them. Vote for zoning that requires the provisions that eliminate food deserts. Vote for rent controls. Vote for minimum wages that are actually living wages. Support business that give living wages, and things like benefits and to even part time employees. Support birth control access for all. Vote for mental health support.

Oh and maybe understand that Doris is 90 with dementia and no family support. She used to know the neighborhood, but now needs to take two buses to the grocery store and it’s exhausting and confusing for her. Every cent she has goes back into the economy. Tim is saving for a rainy day that will never come just so he can brag about his bank account, uses more fossil
Fuels than are needed, gouges the environment and is raising ignorant kids that are just like him.

Hon, it’s not “zoning” that creates food deserts in ward 8 but not in logan/ h st / glover park, which are as dense or denser. It’s a private sector series of decisions about where to site that next harris teeter.

And no, nobody wants a minimum wage of $35/ hr in the district or close-in. Which is probably what’s livable at this point. Even more businesses will pull up stakes then because they understandably do not want to increase their payroll costs by 100%.

It’s time for you to take some electives in the business college at your school instead of a steady diet of aggrieved identity politics coursework. Market forces and behavior always skirts whatever social engineering a government can set up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP. I am sorry I wasn't clear. My point was that I keep hearing that poor people can't afford to eat healthy, but it can be done. It just involves planning, and cooking, and accepting that you may eat the same meals several days in a row.

Not always. Thanks for your singular data point.

Name some typical circumstances why it couldn’t e done, then. I can’t think of any reason why the same poor person could easily obtain for themselves Takis and Mountain Dew but not a can of pinto beans.

I can - they live in a food desert and the corner store doesn't sell pinto beans.

What’s the standard? Not to eat garbage for dinner? That’s a general standard. If you’re eating takis and mtn dew you are well below standard and expecting less is infantilizing. Why such low expectations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I immigrated from Europe, one thing I have noticed that derails healthy eating in America, lots of people can't cook and don't have any inclination to learn. Yes, it's possible to eat healthy on a low budget but you need to know how to cook from scratch or be willing to learn. I think it will really help poor communities if they are given some lessons in basic cooking, although these days everyone is on internet and recipes/information is so readily available.

+1. What happened to Home Economics as a class? That's how I learned to cook because my parents were too busy working to teach me.

Years ago, I took a Home Ec class. Perhaps because of time and budget constraints, here are some things that we made:
Candy apples; doughnuts using canned biscuits; pigs in the blanket — also using canned biscuits. I think we also made white sauce mixed with tuna and noodles. No stews. No soups. No fresh veggies (that I remember). Maybe the advanced class did healthier recipes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's SO weird to me that people in poverty are expected to hold themselves to a high standard when it comes to food choices, but nobody freaks out when rich people to eat the Takis and Mountain Dew.

America has this weird belief that people in poverty, single moms, BIPOC are all supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than the average middle class white dude.

I don't think they have to hold themselves to a higher standard. They just also have a choice to eat healthy or not - same as anyone else. They aren't eating unhealthy due to circumstance but by choice.

+1 Perhaps it's people who grow up with a poor mindset that prefer eating takis and mountain dew. My children would rather drink water but DH who grew up poor eating fast food will go for a can everytime. He tries but still finds it hard to resist the junk food. We all find comfort in different things. I find comfort in non-food activities like reading and others might find it in music or some other activity. But its hard when your choice of comfort is food when you are feeling down and need a pick me up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's SO weird to me that people in poverty are expected to hold themselves to a high standard when it comes to food choices, but nobody freaks out when rich people to eat the Takis and Mountain Dew.

America has this weird belief that people in poverty, single moms, BIPOC are all supposed to hold themselves to a higher standard than the average middle class white dude.

I don't think they have to hold themselves to a higher standard. They just also have a choice to eat healthy or not - same as anyone else. They aren't eating unhealthy due to circumstance but by choice.

There are circumstances where it’s really hard to make good choices. But if we want people to make better choices, we need to be realistic about why it’s hard for them, and lack of access to healthy options is not high on the list.