SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1- Thanks RFK!

[forkup]

You should be aware that when the Obamas suggested healtheir school luches, dudes like FDR lost their shit complaining about federal over-reach.

Might be true. But it's irrelevant to the conversation and would simply derail it.

I'm interested in seeing if the original poster can defend his premise. In order to do so it's better to not get bogged down in whataboutisms since they're a rethorical dead end.

 

[candycorn]

Might be true. But it's irrelevant to the conversation and would simply derail the conversation.

I'm interested in seeing the original poster can defend his premise. In order to do so it's better to not get bogged down in whataboutisms since they're a rethorical dead end.

Ok.

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

Hilarious that when Michelle Obama said something about bad food, the right went NUTS about it. RFK does it, and they don't care.

That’s one thing I liked Michelle Obama for. And one thing that her and RFK Junior both agree on. But I’m a centrist in these cases. But there are left-wingers who hate RFK Junior and they won’t even applaud him when he wants healthier options for poor people.

 

[scruffy]

Yes, the poor will always be disadvantaged in their dietary health choices. It is important to educate citizens but also.government must try and do a good job.to decrease the ease in which such foods can hit the shelves. It is a challenge as food.lobbyists are powerful from what I have heard from via youtube videos.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

I have grown very fond of cannellini beans because they're cheap and they contain a powerful anti-inflammatory. Garlic is good too.

No one pays attention to their diet till they need to. Adults can survive on junk food for a while, but older people need legumes otherwise they get all kinds of gut issues. I get constipated if I don't get my veggies. Didn't use to happen when I was a kid.

 

[scruffy]

Can't get a job or don't want to? Ask your family for help. They don't want to help your lazy ass? You're a loser and it is your own damn fault,

Yikes. That's a little harsh.

Half of America doesn't even have a family. (Probably the delusional leftard half, that believes the government IS their family).

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

No I'm not talking about a top cut meat. Let's start with any cut of any meat. I'm talking about basic starches ,fresh vegetables. The things that make a meal actually nutritious.

When you say "a bit expensive" you are unwittingly conceding the point. Because what's "a bit expensive" for you might be unaffordable for a person needing SNAP benefits. And that's the point.

When someone like RFK closes off certain foodstuffs. Even if those foodstuffs are objectively bad for you. Even if he's doing it with the best intentions. It has the potential to make food unavailable entirely to some.

How to to prevent that is the question I'm asking.


As to the things you think can be done. Let me ask you. Why do you think putting warning labels on junk food will do anything? It seems to me that you are only interested in targeting the consumer. Something that at best would have marginal results, since it doesn't change the economic reality.

A much better way, if you're interested in tackling the problem would be things like stopping subsidies for things like growing corn. It's that, I believe that causes the overproduction that makes everything in the US to be laced with high fructose corn syrup.

Something in itself that would alleviate a significant part of the problem.

The reason of course being that that would have economic repercussions for both farmers and companies alike, in regions that a certain political party need on their side.

In my view what RFK is doing is changing policy on the margin. Policy that might or might not have at best a marginal effect. So people feel like they're interested while not changing a thing.


And just to be fair. Subsidizing of foodstuffs that causes overproduction to the detriment of health is not an exclusive American issue. Belgium does it to to a lesser extent and with different farm products.

But America with it's political system as it is, is by far the worst and most cynical perpetrator in my opinion.

Like I said earlier, I probably agree with you on a lot of things. There’s a lot of work to be done when it comes to revamping the food industry for the better in the USA.

And I have my own views on what to do about the fast food industry. I wouldn’t be against banning McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King etc those types of fast food restaurants.

And if you look at fresh ground turkey. Even lean ground turkey which I already showed a link to show that it is healthy which I’m sure you understand. You can get fresh ground turkey for as low as $2.50 a pound in some cases. That is very cheap and actually it’s cheaper than a lot of Processed frozen food.

Again I agree that in many cases fresh healthy food is expensive. But it is simply not always the case. Let’s look at some of the healthy options that are affordable. Peanuts that are unsalted…in reasonable portions this is quite healthy. Fresh ground turkey. Bananas . And certain types of apples are low cost. That’s just a few examples of healthy eating that can be had in the United States.

Also,

 

[forkup]

Like I said earlier, I probably agree with you on a lot of things. And I have my own views on what to do about the fast food industry. I wouldn’t be against banning McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King etc those types of fast food restaurants.

And if you look at fresh ground turkey. Even lean ground turkey which I already showed a link to show that it is healthy which I’m sure you understand. You can get fresh ground turkey for as low as $2.50 a pound in some cases. That is very cheap and actually it’s cheaper than a lot of Processed frozen food.

Again I agree that in many cases fresh healthy food is expensive. But it is simply not always the case. Let’s look at some of the healthy options that are affordable. Peanuts that are unsalted…in reasonable portions this is quite healthy. Fresh ground turkey. Bananas . And certain types of apples are low cost. That’s just a few examples of healthy eating that can be had in the United States.

Also,

View attachment 1199765

It's so nice for a change to not get bogged down in partisanship when discussing a topic.

Quick note though, let's just say I concede that you can make a nutritious meal in the US if you're willing to accept limitations on ingredients.l, and I'm sure a lot would claim flavor of your meals. Something that would run into pretty obvious problems. (you try to raise your kids on a diet of rice beans and certain type of apples. I'm not mocking you, just illustrating the problem)

The fact that these kind of choices are necessary in one of the, of not simply the, richest developed nations on the planet is a powerful indictment of the system in itself wouldn't you say?

 

[JGalt]

Just out of curiosity. Where do you live, what state I mean?

I'm asking because I'm Belgian and my wife's American. She lived in New York. And what struck me on my first visit to the US is how expensive "healthy foods" are and how cheap processed junk food. This is over 20 years ago and in my experience that's been the case in every state in the US I've been to since.

This brought me to the conclusion that America's obesity problem isn't one of bad choices, but one driven by economics. The poorer you are the less you can spend on healthy foods.

Snap benefits are for these people. So I wonder. What's preventing these bans from turning an already bad problem of poverty and obesity into escalating into outright malnutrition?

To put it in perspective. My wife just bought me some lychee's imported fruit here. A bit over 2 pounds worth for 6 euro. 1 kilogram of oranges. (About 2 and a half pounds) 6 euro. Those are not the prices I encounter when in the US.

SNAP benefits should only allow the purchase of staples like beans, rice, meat, and vegetables. I work at a convenience store and am amazed at some of the crap you can buy with a SNAP card: Candy, sodas, energy drinks, potato chips, and high carb/sugar snacks like doughnuts and pastries.

And just about every day I see people run their SNAP card for their snacks, then pay cash for cigarettes, liquor, and THC-infused canned beverages.

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

It's so nice for a change to not get bogged down in partisanship when discussing a topic.

Quick note though, let's just say I concede that you can make a nutritious meal in the US if you're willing to accept limitations on ingredients.l, and I'm sure a lot would claim flavor of your meals. Something that would run into pretty obvious problems. (you try to raise your kids on a diet of rice beans and certain type of apples. I'm not mocking you just illustrating the problem)

The fact that these kind of choices are necessary in one of the, of not simply the, richest developed nations on the planet is a powerful indictment of the system in itself wouldn't you say?

The good part about modern technology now is a quick Google search can result in plenty of cheap and healthy and tasty recipes for poor families.



But even that could be problematic. Not every person in America and even the world will utilize their cell phone to find healthy recipes that are also low cost.

Obviously some would , but not all. And that is where another solution comes in like education. Having government-backed education programs and advertisements that show the importance of a healthy diet.

Well bottom line RFK Junior is a net positive specifically wouldn’t come to snap. Like his influence of banning high sugar, foods, and soda from snap users. That is a net positive whatever criticism people may have of the move.

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

SNAP benefits should only allow the purchase of staples like beans, rice, meat, and vegetables. I work at a convenience store and am amazed at some of the crap you can buy with a SNAP card: Candy, sodas, energy drinks, potato chips, and high carb/sugar snacks like doughnuts and pastries.

And just about every day I see people run their SNAP card for their snacks, then pay cash for cigarettes, liquor, and THC-infused canned beverages.

Yes, this has long been an issue. Some number of snap users are filling up their cart with junk food. And not only this there’s also the snap EBT fraud. People are selling their EBT cards. It is a phenomenon known as snap trafficking…. It’s a sad reality where adults are selling or trading their EBT cards for crack cocaine or Other drugs…. and then the children of such people are going hungry.


Well that’s why I think everybody can agree that we should have free breakfast programs for children of low income household in the USA.

 

[forkup]

[

The good part about modern technology now is a quick Google search can result in plenty of cheap and healthy and tasty recipes for poor families.



But even that could be problematic. Not every person in America and even the world will utilize their cell phone to find healthy recipes that are also low cost.

Obviously some would , but not all. And that is where another solution comes in like education. Having government-backed education programs and advertisements that show the importance of a healthy diet.

Well bottom line RFK Junior is a net positive specifically wouldn’t come to snap. Like his influence of banning high sugar, foods, and soda from snap users. That is a net positive whatever criticism people may have of the move.

You will never convince me that RFK is a net positive.

I like the people in charge of my health to actually listen to the concensus of medical professionals rather than find people, (fringe opinion) medical professionals or otherwise, who agree with him, so he can set health policy that he prefers regardless of what the medical consensus is.

Which doesn't mean I will dismiss a policy simply because I think he's ill-informed at best, or a quack at worst.

Which is why I engage with your premise, not the person of RFK.

 

[JoeB131]

This is something Democrats and Republicans can agree on. This is great work by Robert F Kennedy Junior. We have an obesity problem in America one of if not the most obese country in the developed world. And obesity affects poor people more than other groups.

SNAP is a pro American and yes, a pro Christian program. Helping poor people this is just the way forward. Especially children of drug addicted parents. But SNAP recipients should be eating healthy food with lots of protein and nutrients. Fresh food, fresh fruit, milk. Beef and chicken.

There’s still a lot of work to do wrt making America healthy again. Like addressing the fast food industry. But This is a step in the right direction.

Ivan is upset that he can't get his Borscht Ration while poor people in America buy candy-bars.

All this law does is make the job of cashiers harder, and they probably won't be bothered following these stupid rules.

 

[JoeB131]

Yes, this has long been an issue. Some number of snap users are filling up their cart with junk food. And not only this there’s also the snap EBT fraud. People are selling their EBT cards. It is a phenomenon known as snap trafficking…. It’s a sad reality where adults are selling or trading their EBT cards for crack cocaine or Other drugs…. and then the children of such people are going hungry.


Well that’s why I think everybody can agree that we should have free breakfast programs for children of low income household in the USA.

We already do through the School LUnch and Breakfast program.

Guess who is trying to cut those? Republicans.

Congress Passes Mega Bill that Harms School Meal Programs – School Nutrition Association

What’s new: Congress has passed the budget reconciliation bill that threatens school meal access for students across the country. The Senate passed the measure with a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance acting as tie-breaker. The House passed the Senate version by a vote of 218-214, sending...

schoolnutrition.org

 

[JoeB131]

I seem to remember when Michelle Obama tried to change the school lunch program to include more veggies (ick) and less unhealthy foods, Republicans absolutely lost their minds about government overreach.

But now they are perfectly fine forcing independent merchants to be Food Nannies for poor people.

 

[22lcidw]

I seem to remember when Michelle Obama tried to change the school lunch program to include more veggies (ick) and less unhealthy foods, Republicans absolutely lost their minds about government overreach.

But now they are perfectly fine forcing independent merchants to be Food Nannies for poor people.

The truth is that many Republicans were flippant about it. Michelle did not think that most of the people involved in those school lunches were Progressive Socialists. The contractors that provided food uses the government contracts to get rid of their products that are near expiring while the employee moving and making the product inside the school do not move the products y date and then there is a lot of waste and/or meals made near spoiled.

 

[Meathead]

Yes, this has long been an issue. Some number of snap users are filling up their cart with junk food. And not only this there’s also the snap EBT fraud. People are selling their EBT cards. It is a phenomenon known as snap trafficking…. It’s a sad reality where adults are selling or trading their EBT cards for crack cocaine or Other drugs…. and then the children of such people are going hungry.


Well that’s why I think everybody can agree that we should have free breakfast programs for children of low income household in the USA.

Agreed. There needs to be an approved list of foods eligible for SNAP benefits which should be both economical and nutritious. Diabetis, especially under the poor has to be addressed not encouraged,

Income-Related Inequalities in Diabetes Have Widened Over Past Decade, CDC Study Finds | American Diabetes Association

 

[JoeB131]

The truth is that many Republicans were flippant about it. Michelle did not think that most of the people involved in those school lunches were Progressive Socialists. The contractors that provided food uses the government contracts to get rid of their products that are near expiring while the employee moving and making the product inside the school do not move the products y date and then there is a lot of waste and/or meals made near spoiled.

Does your doctor know you are off your meds? that isn't what the argument was about at all.

The argument the wingnuts made at the time is that kids don't want to eat their veggies and were just throwing them out.

But they think that some store owner who is in business to sell things, is going to take the time to pick out the candy bars and sodas and say, "No, no, no!" Or that some minimum wage clerk who probably needs SNAP herself because she can't make ends meet is going to do that.

 

[Meathead]

But they think that some store owner who is in business to sell things, is going to take the time to pick out the candy bars and sodas and say, "No, no, no!" Or that some minimum wage clerk who probably needs SNAP herself because she can't make ends meet is going to do that.

This is the 21rst century. There are scanners and programmers that automatically register and make distinctions on what's being bought you pathologically damaged nitwit.

 

[WorldWatcher]

Does your doctor know you are off your meds? that isn't what the argument was about at all.

The argument the wingnuts made at the time is that kids don't want to eat their veggies and were just throwing them out.

But they think that some store owner who is in business to sell things, is going to take the time to pick out the candy bars and sodas and say, "No, no, no!" Or that some minimum wage clerk who probably needs SNAP herself because she can't make ends meet is going to do that.

Register's point-of-sale (POS) systems take care of the SNAP benefit charges.

POS systems mean that all items are scanned as normal. The individual then pays with the EBT charge and only the SNAP items are deducted from the purchase total. The individual then pays with any other regular method cash, credit card, debit card, or check (do people really use them anymore?).

So payment is a multi-step process that charges EBT and remaining goods seperately.

You can now post some anecdotal example of how "well I bet there is a mom and pop convience store that will not do that.".

WW

 

[j-mac]

Honestly, calling $1 burger patties “healthy options” is kind of peak American logic, cheap, convenient, and definitely not what most nutritionists would call healthy. It’s funny because it leans into every stereotype people have of Americans, but it also makes the point: the foods that are cheapest and easiest to buy are often the most processed and calorie-dense.

So when SNAP tries to “fix” diets by banning candy and soda, it’s tackling a symptom, not the root cause. Until genuinely healthy foods are affordable and accessible, people are still stuck choosing between cheap calories and hunger..

I'm not trying to be mean, just trying to tie your premise to economic reality.

I agree...I can remember when the wife and I were young, and struggling. It was, and is still cheaper to buy pure junk in a grocery store, to make it through the week, than to do educated shopping for healthy options...

Now, with that said, I do believe that if the American consumer did a little research, and shopped smarter, maybe visiting different stores, rather than grabbing that shopping cart and waddling through Wal Mart, buying the same dinner plans every week, we would see some change...