YAObesityT: Why Do People Keep Saying Bad Food Is Cheaper?

[torpid]

A rice cooker can also be used as a veggie steamer. No need for both!

 

[Patt]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: skace

Originally posted by: torpid
Brown rice is cheaper than mac and cheese. It's usually $1 per lb or less. 1 lb is a lot of rice - about 10 cups of cooked rice (or 80 ounces for the lazy).

People can eat mac and cheese as a "complete meal", I've never seen anyone eat JUST brown rice. So what exactly are you cooking with this brown rice?

I personally can't stomach brown rice at all on it's own.

hehe I eat rice, with steak and cheese in it, mac & cheese is one of the best filler foods out there. When it's on sale I can make it for like 75 cents a box (milk + butter included) and I can get full off 1 box. You will find nothing as cheap that's as filling as mac & cheese.

I know my diet sucks balls, but I also know I save probably $150 a monthon my shopping by eating stuff like Mac & Cheese and things I like. I will pay for my diet in the long run but I enjoy every meal and the money I have left over from buying 88 cent loafs of bread over the 4 dollar ones. I can have more fun and buy more computer shit

Very short term view ... my grandfather, and father both had heart attacks at 50 years of age, and neither was obese. My grandfather died, and my Dad survived, and is now way healthier in what he eats. Think long term ... you'll regret it once your metabolism slows, and you have to shell out for an agioplasty.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: bignateyk

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: v1001
Ok first of all the McChicken sandwich is not all that bad for you. And they use wheat bread not white bread. Not saying it's totally the best but it's probably one of the better things for you if you are going to eat at McDonald's at all.

I alway get the McChicken Sandwich (PLAIN) with a bottled water and small frys. It's really not a bad way to eat.

first off white bread and wheat bread are made from WHEAT.

second of all wheat bread is generally worse for you because it has molasses in it which gives it the dark color so it has more carbs and sugar than white.

That depends entirely on what kind of wheat bread. The "enriched" stuff isn't much better than white bread. Breads with whole grain in them are much healthier than white bread. White bread contains simple carbs. Wheat bread contains complex carbs. Complex carbs or not bad for you. Simple carbs are.

One easy way to tell how healthy the bread is is to look at the fiber content. True wheat bread should have 2-3g of fiber per slice. White or "enriched" wheat bread will not contain any fiber.

thats why one should buy whole grain bread NOT whole wheat. big difference.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Actually, it IS the carbonation that makes you feel full while drinking soda and beer. When a carbonated drink (especially when cold) is consumed, it warms and releases gases, which put pressure on your stomach, thus making you feel full.

I guess if you somehow refused to burp, possibly. I'm recalling my entire history and there has never been a time when I drank only soda and ended up getting so full that I couldn't eat a meal. In fact, every time I drank soda, I ended up drinking way more than I needed because it actually dehydrates you (as does beer).

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
How much are fruits and vegetables?
Not cheap.

Cheaper than Cheetos and Ruffles. :laugh:

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: Citrix
thats why one should buy whole grain bread NOT whole wheat. big difference.

Look for two things. And if you see either one, run. Far away.

ENRICHED and/or HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: Pabster

Originally posted by: Citrix
thats why one should buy whole grain bread NOT whole wheat. big difference.

Look for two things. And if you see either one, run. Far away.

ENRICHED and/or HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

Almost every type of Orowheat (I think it is Orowheat) bread has HFCS in it, except the Health Nut variety.

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: skace

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Actually, it IS the carbonation that makes you feel full while drinking soda and beer. When a carbonated drink (especially when cold) is consumed, it warms and releases gases, which put pressure on your stomach, thus making you feel full.

I guess if you somehow refused to burp, possibly. I'm recalling my entire history and there has never been a time when I drank only soda and ended up getting so full that I couldn't eat a meal. In fact, every time I drank soda, I ended up drinking way more than I needed because it actually dehydrates you (as does beer).

I don't drink soda anymore, but if I drink heavily carbonated beer before I meal, I almost always lose my appetite. I can drink wine and guinness (which is much higher in calories, but much lower in carbonation), and not feel full in the least. Even if you burp, there is still a building pressure being applied by the gases, which is why you have to keep burping.

 

[torpid]

Kaido, thanks for referring to the 11 cent bread. Googled it and am going to try it today, hopefully. I don't think it's necessarily the healthiest bread in the world, though.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
Almost every type of Orowheat (I think it is Orowheat) bread has HFCS in it, except the Health Nut variety.

Never heard of 'Orowheat' before.

It is difficult to find mainstream brands without HFCS.

I *believe* most Pepperidge Farms (the $4 a loaf stuff) do not use it.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: Pabster

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
Almost every type of Orowheat (I think it is Orowheat) bread has HFCS in it, except the Health Nut variety.

Never heard of 'Orowheat' before.

It is difficult to find mainstream brands without HFCS.

I *believe* most Pepperidge Farms (the $4 a loaf stuff) do not use it.

Oroweat. Google is turning it up spelled as both Oroweat and Orowheat. Might be a West Coast brand. There was an Orowheat bakery around the corner from where I lived in Seattle, and they sell it at the Sam's Club, Safeway, and Fred Meyer's stores here in Alaska.

 

[edro]

Bad food is cheaper and more convenient.

Take a look at any value menu.
There is nothing that is good for you and cheap.
Frosties, hamburgers, nuggets, fries, deep fried chicken, etc.

Find me a grilled chicken value sandwich.
The closest you can come is the McDonalds grilled chicken snack wrap.

 

[Xavier434]

It's not an absolute, but generally speaking when you go to a grocery store the better quality and/or healthier foods are more expensive if you are buying a balanced amount of food from all of the food groups.

A simple way to do a comparison is by observing the final checkout prices of someone with a full cart of healthy grocery vs someone with a full cart of unhealthy groceries unless that cart has nothing but snacks and junk food. If the amount of food is about the same then healthy groceries will almost always be more expensive.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: torpid
A rice cooker can also be used as a veggie steamer. No need for both!

I usually cook both at the same time, so it's handy to have both. Plus the B&D steamer is only $19! I keep all of the veggies separated in freezer bags - peas, corn, carrots, beans, etc. - then just mix whichever I want into the steamer and twist the knob to set the timer. Simple as that

 

[michaelsslave]

Originally posted by: v1001
Ok first of all the McChicken sandwich is not all that bad for you. And they use wheat bread not white bread. Not saying it's totally the best but it's probably one of the better things for you if you are going to eat at McDonald's at all.

I alway get the McChicken Sandwich (PLAIN) with a bottled water and small frys. It's really not a bad way to eat.

white bread is wheat bread. i can guarantee you they're not using whole wheat flour in their buns.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: torpid
Kaido, thanks for referring to the 11 cent bread. Googled it and am going to try it today, hopefully. I don't think it's necessarily the healthiest bread in the world, though.

Well, it's healthier than what's at the store - no preservatives and stuff. Plus at least it has 1 cup of wheat flour in it

Be sure to store any leftover slices in a ziploc bag, otherwise it gets rock-hard the next day since there aren't any preservatives.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: yllus
The fuller picture of the "why do the poor prefer bad food" issue is seen when you factor in the variable of time. The longer hours, fractured family life and generally hard-fought life of the working poor tend to mean that food prep time isn't as readily available as for we middle- and upper-class folk.

Yes, I mentioned that towards the end of my original post. :thumbsup:

Oh. Well, clearly I should skim posts less.

 

[Kelemvor]

Bad food is far more convenient and I think that has more to it that strictly the price.

People will hit up a drive through and drop $6 on a super size value meal when they can make their own lunch and bring it from home... But that takes extra work, planning, etc which people just don't want to both with.

And of course with Mc Donalds you can eat off the Dollar menu too which does make it pretty darn cheap.

Laziness + convenience = Fast Food.

 

[0roo0roo]

French fries? Compare the cost of a large order of fries with the cost of potatoes. You will need some other stuff to turn said potatoes into fries, but if you keep a stocked kitchen, it should not be a problem.

ever try making fries?
many people don't keep that much oil around for frying, or have a fryer, or want to clean up the mess. factor the trouble in making it into the cost and mcdonalds fries are a bargain

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: bignateyk
Because fat people are lazy, and won't cook for themselves. Once you eliminate cooking for yourself, junk food is a pretty cheap alternative.

Plus they like to use any excuse possible to justify their obesity.

people who eat fast food a lot, will typically cook unhealthy food when they do cook so what does it matter? I own a deep fryer and have pretty much figured out how to deep fry everything from potatoes to hot pockets to burritos (chimmichanga) eating healthy costs too much and takes too much effort. I buy chicken, dip it in eggs, roll it in flower and deep fry it for 13 minutes BOOM dinner. with veggies I have to be careful to buy fresh ones, but not too fresh, I have to make sure I eat them before they spoil.

I'm not fat, but I eat like a fat person. Most fat people I know don't make any excuse they just go "fuck it I'm fat and I like to eat fried foods" But, it is a lot more work to cook healthy.

veggies don't fill me up, I could eat 5 full size salads and still be hungry. And when I do eat healthy I tend to get hungry again much quicker. I need meet and grease to really give me a full feeling. Of course I'm able to eat a 1 lb burger with fries like it was a 99 value meal so maybe I'm abnormal, but without the junk calories I seem to leave a meal feeling less than satisfied .


*runs off to fry some wings*

Make sure you have your next of kin post to this thread when you drop dead of heart disease one day in the not so distant future.

wow I'm going to die now LOL let me go call my doctor and tell him your diagnoses of me. I might not live to be 90 but as it stands I'm healthy right now, my last physical was perfect.
I could point you to (if I could find it) a story about a man local to me in Riverside who has been eating 2 whoppers a day and nothing else for almost 20 years and is fine. He's around 70 and has been on a fixed income. Said this was the cheapest way he could get full every day. So what his story isn't the normal for crappy eaters. It does show that eating crap all the time doesn't mean the person will die in 5, 10, hell even 30 years time.

thanks for wishing death on me, I do appreciate it man.

You pointed out the exception rather than the rule. You're not going to die NOW but depending on your genetics it might be closer than you think.

Even you admit your diet is basically a recipe for bad health but you do it to buy computer stuff instead. Have fun when your metabolism gives out and they have to crane your fat ass out of your house to go have a quadruple bypass.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

French fries? Compare the cost of a large order of fries with the cost of potatoes. You will need some other stuff to turn said potatoes into fries, but if you keep a stocked kitchen, it should not be a problem.

ever try making fries?
many people don't keep that much oil around for frying, or have a fryer, or want to clean up the mess. factor the trouble in making it into the cost and mcdonalds fries are a bargain

I wouldn't have suggested it if I hadn't tried it. Not all french fries have to be deep fried.

Paying a bargain price for a bag of crap is great, but a bag of crap is a bag of crap regardless of what a steal it was.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: skace
I'd still like to see someone compete with the $1.40 meal I pasted up above that was 14 complete ounces of instant mac and cheese. I know Eezee said he could compete with Ramen, but I'd love to see his numbers. There used to be deals at my supermarket for ramen at 10 cents a package, but even going based on netgrocer's 35 cents a pack number, I'd like to see that one worked out. Of course, when you try to compete with ramen, you have to compete using actual healthy whole wheat noodles and some sort of seasoning that is going to favorable compare flavor wise. Granted, I wouldn't expect the flavor to be identical without a million mg of salt.

The prices up above are non-coupon based, but most poor people would be going based on coupons and most of these unhealthy items are very often found in the coupon section. Which is another added point.

Brown rice is cheaper than mac and cheese. It's usually $1 per lb or less. 1 lb is a lot of rice - about 10 cups of cooked rice (or 80 ounces for the lazy).

White rice is even cheaper than that. I can buy a 20lb bag of whtie rice for less than $10. That's less than 50 cents per pound compared to $1 per pound of brown rice.

That and brown rice isn't that much better for you than white rice.

 

[rocadelpunk]

here is part of my last grocery receipt (kroger columbus ohio)

1.5lb @ 2.99 /lb tomatoes 4.49

1 head of cauliflower 1.67

2.10 lb @ 3.99 /lb asparagus 8.38

3.24 lb @ .46 /lb bananas 1.49

oscar meyer packaged turkey breast 3.89

kroger 3 pack tilapia fillets 3.50

broccoli 1 busshel 1.67

3.71 lb @ .99/lb gala apples 3.67

10 cans of chunky light tuna on sale .60 cents each


now, how am I supposed to compete on price when my roommate can buy a hamburger helper box for 1-2 dollars depending on...bags of chips for a few bucks...hot pockets, popcorn, etc.

I feel like I eat pretty healthy:

My breakfast will consist of an apple, banana and 2 scoops of optimum nutrition whey protein blended up.

Lunch will usually be something grabbed on campus...either a wheat bagel plain or if I make it home... the really healthy bread/turkey or tuna sandwich

before workout: 1 scoop whey protein
after workout: 2 scoops whey protein

dinner: chicken breast/turkey breast/fish and either steamed brocolli/cauliflower or asparagus or a del monte vegetable green bean or a salad consisting of carrot/tomato/green pepper.

---

I imagine what adds up in my case is the extra trips the the supermarket. My roommate buys everything packaged/preserved...he shops once a month. I have to go at least once a week to restock on apples/bananas/milk.

I'm not...complaining, but they sure make it difficult to eat healthy! Don't even get me started though if you want a juice that's ONLY juice.