Is it fair to blame junk food companies for people being overweight?

[Clementine]

It seems that the point of this documentary is to point the finger at junk food companies and the claim is that they are responsible for people being overweight and that it's not fair to hold the individuals responsible. I really thought it was widely known that junk food just isn't healthy and that eating too much food is not a good idea. Grocery stores carry just about everything, from cookies to spinach. When you have children, and especially when you take them shopping with you, avoiding certain aisles is always a good move. No need to go down the candy aisle. While junk food abounds, there is also a produce section, fresh lean meats, fish and even diet meals and sugar-free items. It is a matter of personal choice. We can stop ourselves from gaining too much weight unless there is some condition that actually puts weight on no matter what.

I think people know better. I believe people develop bad habits and they are hard to break. Children especially don't want to eat carrots after they get a taste for candy, but that is on the parents. It's not ignorance so much as a lack of willpower. And the liberals in this documentary don't want people blaming obesity on lack of willpower or lack of exercise. But people know that what they are eating is bad for them and they keep doing it. I am interested to know what government intends to do to help them. If they really don't believe that people can help themselves, then clearing the store shelves of all junk food would seem to be their preferred method, but then they would no longer have nasty junk food companies to blame and if the problem was still there, then what? I would rather parents take that stand and clear the junk from their own kitchens. After all, the kids will eat those apples when they get hungry enough. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened so some nanny government supporters would like to take on the role of head of the household, all the while blaming companies for the problem with poor eating habits.

Michelle Obama's new lunch program isn't real popular with a lot of people. Of course, that is because some items are boring to people and the portions are skimpy. All that will happen is that students will eat twice as much when they get home and the school lunch won't help in the fight against obesity. Only parents who pass good habits onto their children will make a difference. I am guessing that some in government believe that it's necessary to change people by force, after junk food companies are either sued or taxed to death to pay for new programs. Have no fear, they don't want to ban sugar or junk food. Got to have those bad people around to take the blame when people find themselves supersized. They just want to make sure that the companies pay big bucks to atone for the fact that they exist in the first place and because they cajoled people into eating too much sugar and fat. And if you want to buy sugar, that's great, but it'll cost you. You can just never have enough taxes in liberal utopias.


Sugar Is Evil and Other Silly Claims in the Obesity Wars

 

[Boatswain2PA]

Its just as fair as the left's tactics of going after gun manufacturers.

If you are a leftist, anything is "fair" if it furthers your political goals.

 

[westwall]

No.

 

[AquaAthena]

No. It is only fair to blame the person who consumes junk food in large quantities, for being overweight. Personal responsibility and accountability. Two attitudes most Americans used to be proud of possessing.

 

[gallantwarrior]

No. I have yet to observe a McDonald's employee seated astride a consumer, cramming food down its mouth.

 

[Roadrunner]

It seems that the point of this documentary is to point the finger at junk food companies and the claim is that they are responsible for people being overweight and that it's not fair to hold the individuals responsible. I really thought it was widely known that junk food just isn't healthy and that eating too much food is not a good idea. Grocery stores carry just about everything, from cookies to spinach. When you have children, and especially when you take them shopping with you, avoiding certain aisles is always a good move. No need to go down the candy aisle. While junk food abounds, there is also a produce section, fresh lean meats, fish and even diet meals and sugar-free items. It is a matter of personal choice. We can stop ourselves from gaining too much weight unless there is some condition that actually puts weight on no matter what.

I think people know better. I believe people develop bad habits and they are hard to break. Children especially don't want to eat carrots after they get a taste for candy, but that is on the parents. It's not ignorance so much as a lack of willpower. And the liberals in this documentary don't want people blaming obesity on lack of willpower or lack of exercise. But people know that what they are eating is bad for them and they keep doing it. I am interested to know what government intends to do to help them. If they really don't believe that people can help themselves, then clearing the store shelves of all junk food would seem to be their preferred method, but then they would no longer have nasty junk food companies to blame and if the problem was still there, then what? I would rather parents take that stand and clear the junk from their own kitchens. After all, the kids will eat those apples when they get hungry enough. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened so some nanny government supporters would like to take on the role of head of the household, all the while blaming companies for the problem with poor eating habits.

Michelle Obama's new lunch program isn't real popular with a lot of people. Of course, that is because some items are boring to people and the portions are skimpy. All that will happen is that students will eat twice as much when they get home and the school lunch won't help in the fight against obesity. Only parents who pass good habits onto their children will make a difference. I am guessing that some in government believe that it's necessary to change people by force, after junk food companies are either sued or taxed to death to pay for new programs. Have no fear, they don't want to ban sugar or junk food. Got to have those bad people around to take the blame when people find themselves supersized. They just want to make sure that the companies pay big bucks to atone for the fact that they exist in the first place and because they cajoled people into eating too much sugar and fat. And if you want to buy sugar, that's great, but it'll cost you. You can just never have enough taxes in liberal utopias.




Sugar Is Evil and Other Silly Claims in the Obesity Wars

Of course not.
The federal government is responsible for most obesity.

It allows ignorant people to spend "food-stamp" money on damn near anything, and it gives the kids two free meals a day, 180 days a year, with summer feeding programs in many places too.

People who get food assistance should get healthy commodities in bulk, and only be allowed to buy healthy whole foods, and dairy products with the food-stamps.

No more chips, cakes, cookies, ice-cream, sodas, etc.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

It seems that the point of this documentary is to point the finger at junk food companies and the claim is that they are responsible for people being overweight and that it's not fair to hold the individuals responsible. I really thought it was widely known that junk food just isn't healthy and that eating too much food is not a good idea. Grocery stores carry just about everything, from cookies to spinach. When you have children, and especially when you take them shopping with you, avoiding certain aisles is always a good move. No need to go down the candy aisle. While junk food abounds, there is also a produce section, fresh lean meats, fish and even diet meals and sugar-free items. It is a matter of personal choice. We can stop ourselves from gaining too much weight unless there is some condition that actually puts weight on no matter what.

I think people know better. I believe people develop bad habits and they are hard to break. Children especially don't want to eat carrots after they get a taste for candy, but that is on the parents. It's not ignorance so much as a lack of willpower. And the liberals in this documentary don't want people blaming obesity on lack of willpower or lack of exercise. But people know that what they are eating is bad for them and they keep doing it. I am interested to know what government intends to do to help them. If they really don't believe that people can help themselves, then clearing the store shelves of all junk food would seem to be their preferred method, but then they would no longer have nasty junk food companies to blame and if the problem was still there, then what? I would rather parents take that stand and clear the junk from their own kitchens. After all, the kids will eat those apples when they get hungry enough. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened so some nanny government supporters would like to take on the role of head of the household, all the while blaming companies for the problem with poor eating habits.

Michelle Obama's new lunch program isn't real popular with a lot of people. Of course, that is because some items are boring to people and the portions are skimpy. All that will happen is that students will eat twice as much when they get home and the school lunch won't help in the fight against obesity. Only parents who pass good habits onto their children will make a difference. I am guessing that some in government believe that it's necessary to change people by force, after junk food companies are either sued or taxed to death to pay for new programs. Have no fear, they don't want to ban sugar or junk food. Got to have those bad people around to take the blame when people find themselves supersized. They just want to make sure that the companies pay big bucks to atone for the fact that they exist in the first place and because they cajoled people into eating too much sugar and fat. And if you want to buy sugar, that's great, but it'll cost you. You can just never have enough taxes in liberal utopias.




Sugar Is Evil and Other Silly Claims in the Obesity Wars

Of course not.
The federal government is responsible for most obesity.

It allows ignorant people to spend "food-stamp" money on damn near anything, and it gives the kids two free meals a day, 180 days a year, with summer feeding programs in many places too.

People who get food assistance should get healthy commodities in bulk, and only be allowed to buy healthy whole foods, and dairy products with the food-stamps.

No more chips, cakes, cookies, ice-cream, sodas, etc.

Yeah, cuz that's the American way.

Maybe you could get a Constitutional amendment, forcing poor people to only eat foods RWs approve of.

The federal govt does not force people to shove sugary, fatty food in their mouth.

Most food stamps recipients are the elderly and children. Food stamp amounts do not allow for the purchase of high quality food. They eat the crap at McDonald's because that's what they can afford.

We are human beings. We should not allow fellow human beings to go hungry or to be forced to eat fat food like the great American diet.

As long as we force people ton live on next to nothing, we will continue to have high rates of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, kidney and liver disease and cancer.

 

[Rozman]

It seems that the point of this documentary is to point the finger at junk food companies and the claim is that they are responsible for people being overweight and that it's not fair to hold the individuals responsible. I really thought it was widely known that junk food just isn't healthy and that eating too much food is not a good idea. Grocery stores carry just about everything, from cookies to spinach. When you have children, and especially when you take them shopping with you, avoiding certain aisles is always a good move. No need to go down the candy aisle. While junk food abounds, there is also a produce section, fresh lean meats, fish and even diet meals and sugar-free items. It is a matter of personal choice. We can stop ourselves from gaining too much weight unless there is some condition that actually puts weight on no matter what.

I think people know better. I believe people develop bad habits and they are hard to break. Children especially don't want to eat carrots after they get a taste for candy, but that is on the parents. It's not ignorance so much as a lack of willpower. And the liberals in this documentary don't want people blaming obesity on lack of willpower or lack of exercise. But people know that what they are eating is bad for them and they keep doing it. I am interested to know what government intends to do to help them. If they really don't believe that people can help themselves, then clearing the store shelves of all junk food would seem to be their preferred method, but then they would no longer have nasty junk food companies to blame and if the problem was still there, then what? I would rather parents take that stand and clear the junk from their own kitchens. After all, the kids will eat those apples when they get hungry enough. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened so some nanny government supporters would like to take on the role of head of the household, all the while blaming companies for the problem with poor eating habits.

Michelle Obama's new lunch program isn't real popular with a lot of people. Of course, that is because some items are boring to people and the portions are skimpy. All that will happen is that students will eat twice as much when they get home and the school lunch won't help in the fight against obesity. Only parents who pass good habits onto their children will make a difference. I am guessing that some in government believe that it's necessary to change people by force, after junk food companies are either sued or taxed to death to pay for new programs. Have no fear, they don't want to ban sugar or junk food. Got to have those bad people around to take the blame when people find themselves supersized. They just want to make sure that the companies pay big bucks to atone for the fact that they exist in the first place and because they cajoled people into eating too much sugar and fat. And if you want to buy sugar, that's great, but it'll cost you. You can just never have enough taxes in liberal utopias.




Sugar Is Evil and Other Silly Claims in the Obesity Wars

Of course not.
The federal government is responsible for most obesity.

It allows ignorant people to spend "food-stamp" money on damn near anything, and it gives the kids two free meals a day, 180 days a year, with summer feeding programs in many places too.

People who get food assistance should get healthy commodities in bulk, and only be allowed to buy healthy whole foods, and dairy products with the food-stamps.

No more chips, cakes, cookies, ice-cream, sodas, etc.

Yeah, cuz that's the American way.

Maybe you could get a Constitutional amendment, forcing poor people to only eat foods RWs approve of.

The federal govt does not force people to shove sugary, fatty food in their mouth.

Most food stamps recipients are the elderly and children. Food stamp amounts do not allow for the purchase of high quality food. They eat the crap at McDonald's because that's what they can afford.

We are human beings. We should not allow fellow human beings to go hungry or to be forced to eat fat food like the great American diet.

As long as we force people ton live on next to nothing, we will continue to have high rates of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, kidney and liver disease and cancer.

What exactly stops people from receiving food stamps from buying healthy food?

 

[Political Junky]

Using high fructose corn syrup to replace cane sugar is certainly the fault of manufacturers. They do it because it's cheap. They fill low fat foods with it and similar sugars to give it taste.

 

[Mad Scientist]

Observe what Fat people eat then don't eat that. Don't go where the Buffalos roam (and graze): Country Buffet, Fast Food Joints, etc.

Fat Person: "I don't eat much. It's Genetic."
Not Fat Person: "Oh so your body changes Oxygen into Fat?"

 

[Mad Scientist]

Using high fructose corn syrup to replace cane sugar is certainly the fault of manufacturers. They do it because it's cheap. They fill low fat foods with it and similar sugars to give it taste.

And why is it cheap? Gov't Corn Subsidies.

 

[Pogo]

Using high fructose corn syrup to replace cane sugar is certainly the fault of manufacturers. They do it because it's cheap. They fill low fat foods with it and similar sugars to give it taste.

First post to be on point here. ^^

It's not only junk food -- unless you count the term "junk food" to be a redundancy given our institutions of store-bought processed (junk) food in general. That's what brings about obesity on a large scale. There are a small few who might eat too much into overweight but most of us are being poisoned by our own food supply. HFCS is one of the culprits. Mutated wheat with extra gluten injected into it is another. Endless quantities of sugars injected to bring about addiction. It doesn't take what we pretend is a separate category of "junk food". It takes nothing more than a typical grocery shopping trip.

 

[jasonnfree]

It seems that the point of this documentary is to point the finger at junk food companies and the claim is that they are responsible for people being overweight and that it's not fair to hold the individuals responsible. I really thought it was widely known that junk food just isn't healthy and that eating too much food is not a good idea. Grocery stores carry just about everything, from cookies to spinach. When you have children, and especially when you take them shopping with you, avoiding certain aisles is always a good move. No need to go down the candy aisle. While junk food abounds, there is also a produce section, fresh lean meats, fish and even diet meals and sugar-free items. It is a matter of personal choice. We can stop ourselves from gaining too much weight unless there is some condition that actually puts weight on no matter what.

I think people know better. I believe people develop bad habits and they are hard to break. Children especially don't want to eat carrots after they get a taste for candy, but that is on the parents. It's not ignorance so much as a lack of willpower. And the liberals in this documentary don't want people blaming obesity on lack of willpower or lack of exercise. But people know that what they are eating is bad for them and they keep doing it. I am interested to know what government intends to do to help them. If they really don't believe that people can help themselves, then clearing the store shelves of all junk food would seem to be their preferred method, but then they would no longer have nasty junk food companies to blame and if the problem was still there, then what? I would rather parents take that stand and clear the junk from their own kitchens. After all, the kids will eat those apples when they get hungry enough. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened so some nanny government supporters would like to take on the role of head of the household, all the while blaming companies for the problem with poor eating habits.

Michelle Obama's new lunch program isn't real popular with a lot of people. Of course, that is because some items are boring to people and the portions are skimpy. All that will happen is that students will eat twice as much when they get home and the school lunch won't help in the fight against obesity. Only parents who pass good habits onto their children will make a difference. I am guessing that some in government believe that it's necessary to change people by force, after junk food companies are either sued or taxed to death to pay for new programs. Have no fear, they don't want to ban sugar or junk food. Got to have those bad people around to take the blame when people find themselves supersized. They just want to make sure that the companies pay big bucks to atone for the fact that they exist in the first place and because they cajoled people into eating too much sugar and fat. And if you want to buy sugar, that's great, but it'll cost you. You can just never have enough taxes in liberal utopias.




Sugar Is Evil and Other Silly Claims in the Obesity Wars

Of course not.
The federal government is responsible for most obesity.

It allows ignorant people to spend "food-stamp" money on damn near anything, and it gives the kids two free meals a day, 180 days a year, with summer feeding programs in many places too.

People who get food assistance should get healthy commodities in bulk, and only be allowed to buy healthy whole foods, and dairy products with the food-stamps.

No more chips, cakes, cookies, ice-cream, sodas, etc.

Yeah, cuz that's the American way.

Maybe you could get a Constitutional amendment, forcing poor people to only eat foods RWs approve of.

The federal govt does not force people to shove sugary, fatty food in their mouth.

Most food stamps recipients are the elderly and children. Food stamp amounts do not allow for the purchase of high quality food. They eat the crap at McDonald's because that's what they can afford.

We are human beings. We should not allow fellow human beings to go hungry or to be forced to eat fat food like the great American diet.

As long as we force people ton live on next to nothing, we will continue to have high rates of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, kidney and liver disease and cancer.

What exactly stops people from receiving food stamps from buying healthy food?

Not always possible. A single mother for example, live in rented rooms or motels, no access to a kitchen, maybe just a microwave. After working at a low paying job, maybe on her feet all day, Pick the kid up at school, stop at McDonalds. Still have to go home, get ready for the next day, help kid with homework, bathe kid. I've seen so much of it. Even myself, sometimes worked two jobs, fast food the only thing I had energy for.

 

[Clementine]

Using high fructose corn syrup to replace cane sugar is certainly the fault of manufacturers. They do it because it's cheap. They fill low fat foods with it and similar sugars to give it taste.

First post to be on point here. ^^

It's not only junk food -- unless you count the term "junk food" to be a redundancy given our institutions of store-bought processed (junk) food in general. That's what brings about obesity on a large scale. There are a small few who might eat too much into overweight but most of us are being poisoned by our own food supply. HFCS is one of the culprits. Mutated wheat with extra gluten injected into it is another. Endless quantities of sugars injected to bring about addiction. It doesn't take what we pretend is a separate category of "junk food". It takes nothing more than a typical grocery shopping trip.

Not everyone is fat, yet we all eat. It's still up to the individual to read labels. I don't know how people can eat so much processed food. Fresh meats, fruits and vegetables are available. I notice that a lot of people don't bake from scratch any more. There is a lot of processed food, advertised as convenient for the busy people, and it contains things most people can't even pronounce. My mom used to tell me that if you can't pronounce something then you probably shouldn't eat it.

I have a garden every year and spend time at harvest doing a lot of canning. I know exactly what is in the jars because it's all organic.

People have got to take more responsibility for reading labels and simplifying things. Buying fresh items means no preservatives and other things that aren't really appetizing.

EBT cards shouldn't be used at fast food places. They should have the same rules that MO imposed on schools. When you are on the dole, there should be conditions. Spend your own money your way, but the SNAP program is supposed to provide nutritious food for the children, so that is all it should do.

I don't buy that people can't avoid gaining weight. I've helped some people lose weight with a diet that simply requires fresh veggies, fruits and lean meats. It can be done and there really isn't any excuse. I do think junk food slows metabolism and it's unfortunate that many just aren't willing to make changes to lose weight.

The school lunches now seem to make the students eat more after school. That's what I hear from some parents. Our schools provide free breakfasts, lunches and dinner is sent home (called backpack meals) and on top of that the families receive food stamps and WIC. So, the schools have been providing three meals a day and the parents are given enough food stamps for more meals for the family. No wonder so many are overweight. Now Michelle's menus seem designed to cut back on the amount of food at school because they realized that kids were often eating breakfast twice, then eating too much at night. It's a vicious cycle started by government. It's great to keep people fed so no one goes hungry, but there is such a thing as overdoing it. We could streamline the whole welfare system to eliminate wasteful spending and handing over more than is necessary to families. I know some mothers who receive WIC and they are always giving away big boxes of cereal because they always get too much.

 

[westwall]

It seems that the point of this documentary is to point the finger at junk food companies and the claim is that they are responsible for people being overweight and that it's not fair to hold the individuals responsible. I really thought it was widely known that junk food just isn't healthy and that eating too much food is not a good idea. Grocery stores carry just about everything, from cookies to spinach. When you have children, and especially when you take them shopping with you, avoiding certain aisles is always a good move. No need to go down the candy aisle. While junk food abounds, there is also a produce section, fresh lean meats, fish and even diet meals and sugar-free items. It is a matter of personal choice. We can stop ourselves from gaining too much weight unless there is some condition that actually puts weight on no matter what.

I think people know better. I believe people develop bad habits and they are hard to break. Children especially don't want to eat carrots after they get a taste for candy, but that is on the parents. It's not ignorance so much as a lack of willpower. And the liberals in this documentary don't want people blaming obesity on lack of willpower or lack of exercise. But people know that what they are eating is bad for them and they keep doing it. I am interested to know what government intends to do to help them. If they really don't believe that people can help themselves, then clearing the store shelves of all junk food would seem to be their preferred method, but then they would no longer have nasty junk food companies to blame and if the problem was still there, then what? I would rather parents take that stand and clear the junk from their own kitchens. After all, the kids will eat those apples when they get hungry enough. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened so some nanny government supporters would like to take on the role of head of the household, all the while blaming companies for the problem with poor eating habits.

Michelle Obama's new lunch program isn't real popular with a lot of people. Of course, that is because some items are boring to people and the portions are skimpy. All that will happen is that students will eat twice as much when they get home and the school lunch won't help in the fight against obesity. Only parents who pass good habits onto their children will make a difference. I am guessing that some in government believe that it's necessary to change people by force, after junk food companies are either sued or taxed to death to pay for new programs. Have no fear, they don't want to ban sugar or junk food. Got to have those bad people around to take the blame when people find themselves supersized. They just want to make sure that the companies pay big bucks to atone for the fact that they exist in the first place and because they cajoled people into eating too much sugar and fat. And if you want to buy sugar, that's great, but it'll cost you. You can just never have enough taxes in liberal utopias.




Sugar Is Evil and Other Silly Claims in the Obesity Wars

Of course not.
The federal government is responsible for most obesity.

It allows ignorant people to spend "food-stamp" money on damn near anything, and it gives the kids two free meals a day, 180 days a year, with summer feeding programs in many places too.

People who get food assistance should get healthy commodities in bulk, and only be allowed to buy healthy whole foods, and dairy products with the food-stamps.

No more chips, cakes, cookies, ice-cream, sodas, etc.

Yeah, cuz that's the American way.

Maybe you could get a Constitutional amendment, forcing poor people to only eat foods RWs approve of.

The federal govt does not force people to shove sugary, fatty food in their mouth.

Most food stamps recipients are the elderly and children. Food stamp amounts do not allow for the purchase of high quality food. They eat the crap at McDonald's because that's what they can afford.

We are human beings. We should not allow fellow human beings to go hungry or to be forced to eat fat food like the great American diet.

As long as we force people ton live on next to nothing, we will continue to have high rates of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, kidney and liver disease and cancer.

What exactly stops people from receiving food stamps from buying healthy food?

Not always possible. A single mother for example, live in rented rooms or motels, no access to a kitchen, maybe just a microwave. After working at a low paying job, maybe on her feet all day, Pick the kid up at school, stop at McDonalds. Still have to go home, get ready for the next day, help kid with homework, bathe kid. I've seen so much of it. Even myself, sometimes worked two jobs, fast food the only thing I had energy for.

McDonalds Southwest Chicken salad (with grilled chicken) balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Low calorie, heart healthy and delicious.

 

[Political Junky]

Using high fructose corn syrup to replace cane sugar is certainly the fault of manufacturers. They do it because it's cheap. They fill low fat foods with it and similar sugars to give it taste.

First post to be on point here. ^^

It's not only junk food -- unless you count the term "junk food" to be a redundancy given our institutions of store-bought processed (junk) food in general. That's what brings about obesity on a large scale. There are a small few who might eat too much into overweight but most of us are being poisoned by our own food supply. HFCS is one of the culprits. Mutated wheat with extra gluten injected into it is another. Endless quantities of sugars injected to bring about addiction. It doesn't take what we pretend is a separate category of "junk food". It takes nothing more than a typical grocery shopping trip.

Not everyone is fat, yet we all eat. It's still up to the individual to read labels. I don't know how people can eat so much processed food. Fresh meats, fruits and vegetables are available. I notice that a lot of people don't bake from scratch any more. There is a lot of processed food, advertised as convenient for the busy people, and it contains things most people can't even pronounce. My mom used to tell me that if you can't pronounce something then you probably shouldn't eat it.

I have a garden every year and spend time at harvest doing a lot of canning. I know exactly what is in the jars because it's all organic.

People have got to take more responsibility for reading labels and simplifying things. Buying fresh items means no preservatives and other things that aren't really appetizing.

EBT cards shouldn't be used at fast food places. They should have the same rules that MO imposed on schools. When you are on the dole, there should be conditions. Spend your own money your way, but the SNAP program is supposed to provide nutritious food for the children, so that is all it should do.

I don't buy that people can't avoid gaining weight. I've helped some people lose weight with a diet that simply requires fresh veggies, fruits and lean meats. It can be done and there really isn't any excuse. I do think junk food slows metabolism and it's unfortunate that many just aren't willing to make changes to lose weight.

The school lunches now seem to make the students eat more after school. That's what I hear from some parents. Our schools provide free breakfasts, lunches and dinner is sent home (called backpack meals) and on top of that the families receive food stamps and WIC. So, the schools have been providing three meals a day and the parents are given enough food stamps for more meals for the family. No wonder so many are overweight. Now Michelle's menus seem designed to cut back on the amount of food at school because they realized that kids were often eating breakfast twice, then eating too much at night. It's a vicious cycle started by government. It's great to keep people fed so no one goes hungry, but there is such a thing as overdoing it. We could streamline the whole welfare system to eliminate wasteful spending and handing over more than is necessary to families. I know some mothers who receive WIC and they are always giving away big boxes of cereal because they always get too much.

Yet when the first lady suggests those fresh foods, the Right goes nuts with cries of dictatorship.

 

[Clementine]

Using high fructose corn syrup to replace cane sugar is certainly the fault of manufacturers. They do it because it's cheap. They fill low fat foods with it and similar sugars to give it taste.

First post to be on point here. ^^

It's not only junk food -- unless you count the term "junk food" to be a redundancy given our institutions of store-bought processed (junk) food in general. That's what brings about obesity on a large scale. There are a small few who might eat too much into overweight but most of us are being poisoned by our own food supply. HFCS is one of the culprits. Mutated wheat with extra gluten injected into it is another. Endless quantities of sugars injected to bring about addiction. It doesn't take what we pretend is a separate category of "junk food". It takes nothing more than a typical grocery shopping trip.

Not everyone is fat, yet we all eat. It's still up to the individual to read labels. I don't know how people can eat so much processed food. Fresh meats, fruits and vegetables are available. I notice that a lot of people don't bake from scratch any more. There is a lot of processed food, advertised as convenient for the busy people, and it contains things most people can't even pronounce. My mom used to tell me that if you can't pronounce something then you probably shouldn't eat it.

I have a garden every year and spend time at harvest doing a lot of canning. I know exactly what is in the jars because it's all organic.

People have got to take more responsibility for reading labels and simplifying things. Buying fresh items means no preservatives and other things that aren't really appetizing.

EBT cards shouldn't be used at fast food places. They should have the same rules that MO imposed on schools. When you are on the dole, there should be conditions. Spend your own money your way, but the SNAP program is supposed to provide nutritious food for the children, so that is all it should do.

I don't buy that people can't avoid gaining weight. I've helped some people lose weight with a diet that simply requires fresh veggies, fruits and lean meats. It can be done and there really isn't any excuse. I do think junk food slows metabolism and it's unfortunate that many just aren't willing to make changes to lose weight.

The school lunches now seem to make the students eat more after school. That's what I hear from some parents. Our schools provide free breakfasts, lunches and dinner is sent home (called backpack meals) and on top of that the families receive food stamps and WIC. So, the schools have been providing three meals a day and the parents are given enough food stamps for more meals for the family. No wonder so many are overweight. Now Michelle's menus seem designed to cut back on the amount of food at school because they realized that kids were often eating breakfast twice, then eating too much at night. It's a vicious cycle started by government. It's great to keep people fed so no one goes hungry, but there is such a thing as overdoing it. We could streamline the whole welfare system to eliminate wasteful spending and handing over more than is necessary to families. I know some mothers who receive WIC and they are always giving away big boxes of cereal because they always get too much.

Yet when the first lady suggests those fresh foods, the Right goes nuts with cries of dictatorship.

The portions are pretty slim. Ideally, parents would have taught their children about eating right and it would be a habit. That doesn't mean that food can't taste good. Schools in this area didn't offer junk items before this and it was always balanced.

It won't help to offer slim pickings for lunch menus if the children will just go home and eat twice as much.

Parents and the way they raise their children are the biggest problem in the country. Too many are good at having babies, but suck at being good parents. No amount of government programs can make people change if they don't want to.

Michelle's kids eat meals that look good and are probably healthy. Yet, the public school children are getting some tasteless crap and it's no surprise that they don't want it.

I think schools should decide on their own meals. It seems like the more government interferes, the worse things get. It might just be the 3 free meals a day on top of all the food at home that is causing some children to gain weight. Not to mention the general laziness of those kids who are hooked on video games. It's a combination of things, but we go back to the parents dropping the ball. Kids already have bad eating habits before they set foot in a school.

 

[Asclepias]

Yes and no. They share some of the blame. Its weird that a society (that supposedly prides itself on character, integrity and honesty) would think that the companies marketing their poison with proven techniques designed to create a habit or addiction to their products has no responsibility in this.

 

[Clementine]

Yes and no. They share some of the blame. Its weird that a society (that supposedly prides itself on character, integrity and honesty) would think that the companies marketing their poison with proven techniques designed to create a habit or addiction to their products has no responsibility in this.

Sugar and fat have been around forever. Amazing that we have people pushing 100 years old when they grew up without government agencies protecting them from everyone, including themselves!

Difference is that parents used to take raising children seriously and that meant setting good examples and putting their foot down. I ate my vegetables because it was expected and no way would there be cake or ice cream if I didn't eat the good stuff first.

Some claim that moms just take their kids to fast food places because it's all they have the energy to do. Then some blame the companies for making the food in the first place.

Bottom line is that parents teach their children a lot before they go to school. The child will either show up at school disciplined and taught rules, that include good eating habits, or they won't. Poor parents can still teach their children good habits. It has nothing to do with money and everything to do with spending time with them. Too many parents don't teach their children even the most basic of manners. I see it all the time.

It seems to be encouraged to let government lead the way. If your kids are fat, then government must step in and correct that. If the kids aren't doing well in school, then government must step in and change the curriculum. When personal responsibility is never talked about and politicians can only preach about how they can change your life, you end up with the problems we have now. People who blame others for problems that they should have under control.

 

[Asclepias]

Yes and no. They share some of the blame. Its weird that a society (that supposedly prides itself on character, integrity and honesty) would think that the companies marketing their poison with proven techniques designed to create a habit or addiction to their products has no responsibility in this.

Sugar and fat have been around forever. Amazing that we have people pushing 100 years old when they grew up without government agencies protecting them from everyone, including themselves!

Difference is that parents used to take raising children seriously and that meant setting good examples and putting their foot down. I ate my vegetables because it was expected and no way would there be cake or ice cream if I didn't eat the good stuff first.

Some claim that moms just take their kids to fast food places because it's all they have the energy to do. Then some blame the companies for making the food in the first place.

Bottom line is that parents teach their children a lot before they go to school. The child will either show up at school disciplined and taught rules, that include good eating habits, or they won't. Poor parents can still teach their children good habits. It has nothing to do with money and everything to do with spending time with them. Too many parents don't teach their children even the most basic of manners. I see it all the time.

It seems to be encouraged to let government lead the way. If your kids are fat, then government must step in and correct that. If the kids aren't doing well in school, then government must step in and change the curriculum. When personal responsibility is never talked about and politicians can only preach about how they can change your life, you end up with the problems we have now. People who blame others for problems that they should have under control.

It may have been around forever but not readily available and pushed via marketing like it is now. If you understood marketing you would realize how powerful it is. This is by design and not for your health but to seperate you from your money.