I went grocery shopping this weekend, at the local large-chain grocery store here. For context, it's in the middle of the city, in a predominantly minority neighborhood, which I say to indicate that this market is no Whole Foods.
With all the talk about diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, the list goes on, the first place to look is America's supermarkets. When did chicken cost 59 cents a pound, and green peppers $2.99/lb? Why are their 8 ways to buy beef alone (ground, sirloin, and a other cuts I can't begin to name) but only 4 varieties of leafy green vegetables, all more expensive than meat, cookies, Doritos, and frozen chicken nuggets? There is something wrong with this picture. I'm not slamming meat, but when processed, packaged foods and meat cost half as much as fresh produce, what's the logical choice, people?
In the vast majority of countries around the world, if you're poor, you eat vegetables. Meat is a luxury. Goodness knows packaged foods and fast food don't even exist there. Maybe if that were the case in the U.S., and fresh fruits/veggies were actually affordable, we wouldn't have all this obesity business.
And my other beef (no pun intended) with most foods on the market? Sugar. Seriously, we must have the absolute sweetest tooth imaginable on the planet. Yogurt? 30+ grams of sugar. Instant oatmeal? So sweet my teeth could fall out. Quick breads? I've seen recipes calling for 2 CUPS per small loaf (see my previous recipe, in which I cut the sugar in half). And if you want to get "reduced sugar," giddy up for some artificial sweetener, to yes - make the food even more sweet. Why not slash the sugar in most foods in half and offer real reduced sugar options? The sugar industry must be a lobbying beast.
I know none of this is enlightening or original news, but fer crying out loud, let's make it easier (and more affordable!) for American consumers to make good choices.
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