Food Politics

I find it somewhat ironic that SmartMoney put together this interesting and helpful information regarding fast food (nutritional value idea would be much more important), while at the same time put out an “attack” piece on farmers and farmer’s markets titled “10 Things Your Farmer’s Market Won’t Tell You.”

There is a formal rebuttal to the “10 Things” article at http://everytable.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/10-thoughts-about-farmers-markets-a-rebuttal/. Please join the discussion and give me and others your feedback!

Cheers,

Rob Smart

I think in this economy where many people are really scrutinizing the cost of things, it would be great for many to know the worth of their expenditure on foods. For while these results have something to say about the calorie offering, they say nothing about the substance behind the food.

I think many forms of good nutrition are not expensive. For example, for the same 1 dollar, I can buy a whole pound of fresh spinach, or 2 pounds of carrots, or 2 pounds of dry lentils. Of course, none of these 3 foods would be available as a fast food restaurant menu item.

Well, if Super-Size Me is any indication, it would be insane to try to get your B12 from fast food, since, even eating 5000 calories per day, Morgan Spurlock was only able to manage to get less than .6 micrograms (10% of the daily value) from McDonald’s.

This is like saying, how many packing peanuts can you eat for $1.00. Who cares? It isn’t food.

There’s more to “value” than some dollar per pound ratio. I live on a fixed income, but shop at a variety of sources including Whole Foods and the local pricey coop, but as I point out to my wealthier friends who shop at the local supermarket or even discount outlets, I spend way less per month than they do. I buy only whole foods, in bulk, and was doing for 25 years what Ms. Nestle recommends in her book “What To Eat”: shop only the outer walls of the store–this is just as good advice at Whole Foods as anywhere else. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen people at the coop proudly buying organic chips, beer, cookies and other packaged snacks. This is simply an expensive way to get fat.

Todays lifestyle is fast paced and busy. Everyone wants that fast and easy solution. Which is usually not a healthy option. Vist my wesite to discus any eating and diet ideas.

Thanks

Hunter: What website? Did you mean to post a link?

Everyone is “busy”, it’s a matter of priorities. I don’t own a television and spend that time preparing and storing food that is whole and nutritious. I always have a garden, even when I had four small children (they helped). I’ve only been in a fast food joint a couple of times in my life. These are choices we can all make.

Okay Hunter–I realized by clicking on your name I could get to your “site”. You seriously need spell check (and grammar check if that’s available). That post is almost unreadable. I would be curious to know what you sell at your “nutrition” store as I am not aware that nutrition is a product, per se. I hope it is not useless supplements?