Quote:
Originally Posted by Willravel
But Cynth your argument is that healthy food is more expensive than unhealthy food. I disagree with that, and I believe that if that misunderstanding can be debunked that more people might want to eat healthy because they'll realize that it's economically viable even if you're on a very tight budget.
My original statement, that started this tangent was "healthy food is cheaper than fast food". Maybe I should correct that to this:
"Budgeting properly, healthy food can be substantially cheaper than any fast food as far as keeping you alive, full, and healthy." I believe this to be true, and I'm still willing to demonstrate it if you're willing to do the same. Post a day's worth of fast food and I'll post a day's worth of healthy, balanced food and we'll see who comes out with a lower price tag.
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Will, Cynth has already posted the study that was done by the University of Washington in regards to the actual cost of healthy calories versus unhealthy calories in the grocery store. Evidence shows that unhealthy calories are cheaper, period. Yes, I could manage to buy 2 apples for $1.59/lb, but the double cheeseburger at McDonalds is only 99 cents. Calorie for calorie, the double cheeseburger is the better deal. Is it the better choice? Of course not. But that's all a red herring argument, as
you must remember that the issue here is about access, not whether or not they know better. These people do not have access to healthy calories. Other articles I read regarding the ordinance clearly illustrate that people in South Central have easier access to these fast food restaurants than a grocery store, especially considering most of the people in that area apparently don't drive and are reliant on public transportation or their own feet to get them to and from places. I can tell you from experience that it's no picnic to carry home a week's worth of groceries via public transportation; it's downright discouraging, time-consuming, and an all-around pain in the ass. So what do these people choose? Going to the grocery store that's 3 transfers away on the bus or going to the Burger King down the street where they can get a Whopper, Jr.for 99 cents? We know which is the better choice, but what's the easier choice?
This ordinance is meant to encourage development of access to those healthy calories by prohibiting continued development of access to unhealthy calories.
And yes, Cynth, I think it's pretty safe to say South Central Los Angeles is a food desert.
For the record, I eat a very healthy diet, and find it's more expensive to do so than the diet my roommate eats, which is mostly boxed, processed food. I have access to a farmer's market, though, which brings the cost down. Clearly, these people do not enjoy the access the rest of us do, and we would do well to remember that.