Slopping the hogs.

[OldWiseGuy]

The pleas to feed the hungry are constantly assailing us. I thought we solved that problem, but then I thought of how livestock is fed. Unbalanced rations loaded with salt keeps the animals hungry and thirsty, thus constantly eating and drinking, never satisfied, while all the time gaining 'market' weight. Isn't it the same with the poor. Why do we almost never see a poor person who appears underweight, but rather overweight, and still hungry, in most cases? Aren't we just 'slopping the hogs' by feeding the poor starchy, fatty, salty, foods that lack healthy satisfying nutrition. What if we fed them less, but better, food? The cost would be the same but the outcome would be much better, imo. Thoughts?

 

[Winken]

That's a word for all of us. God grant that He enters in via the Holy Spirit, not physical food through the mouth and into the tummy.

 

[Kenny'sID]

It's all revolves around no one is going to regulate what another eats. There are plenty of things that might be better for each of us, but take God for instance, he still allows free will.

Or in short, no, you just can't do that.

 

[Galatea]

Fattening food is cheaper than fruits and vegetables. If you are on food stamps, the money stretches more with processed foods than fresh ones.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Fattening food is cheaper than fruits and vegetables. If you are on food stamps, the money stretches more with processed foods than fresh ones.

That's what I don't get. You can obtain quality food with the help of the SNAP program. Maybe those on the program think they must get all their food from SNAP (the "S" stand for "supplemental", not "total"). Perhaps a course in language comprehension is in order?

 

[Galatea]

That's what I don't get. You can eat like a king with the SNAP allowance.

Really? How much do people on Food Stamps get a month?

I don't know if it is all that much. Also, in our state food is taxed, which further drives up the cost of food.

Do you know how much a family of four get a month? I don't.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Really? How much do people on Food Stamps get a month?

I don't know if it is all that much. Also, in our state food is taxed, which further drives up the cost of food.

Do you know how much a family of four get a month? I don't.

Depends on the State. Here in Wisconsin the SNAP allowance is pretty low because food is generally lower cost. It ranges from about $115 per month per person up to $150, depending on the cost of food in that State. So its indexed according to regional food costs.

I did an experiment last year on this. A healthful diet cost me about $135 per month where I live. The SNAP allowance at the time was $116 per month for a single person, so my out of pocket cost would have been $19 per month for healthful food.

 

[Galatea]

Depends on the State. Here in Wisconsin the SNAP allowance is pretty low because food is generally lower cost. It ranges from about $115 per month per person up to $150, depending on the cost of food in that State. So its indexed according to regional food costs.

Do you think $115 a month is a lot for food? I think it is adequate, but I don't see a whole lot of steak dinners on that budget.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Do you think $115 a month is a lot for food? I think it is adequate, but I don't see a whole lot of steak dinners on that budget.

A "whole lot of steak dinners" isn't a healthy diet. Poor people shouldn't be thinking in terms of steak dinners anyway. Poor people should be more concerned with their health, as they as a group have some pretty serious health problems, many of which are caused by their poor choice of foods.

 

[Galatea]

A "whole lot of steak dinners" isn't a healthy diet. Poor people shouldn't be thinking in terms of steak dinners anyway. Poor people should be more concerned with their health, as they as a group have some pretty serious health problems, many of which are caused by their poor choice of foods.

Shouldn't a poor person have a steak dinner on their birthday?

I don't think $115 would buy a whole lot of fruits and vegetables.

Chips are cheap.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Shouldn't a poor person have a steak dinner on their birthday?

I don't think $115 would buy a whole lot of fruits and vegetables.

Chips are cheap.

Fruits and vegetables are overrated as far as overall nutrition goes. Unless you grow your own the cost can't be justified.

 

[Galatea]

Fruits and vegetables are overrated as far as overall nutrition goes. Unless you grow your own the cost can't be justified.

What would you say is healthy, then? I would think fruits and vegetables are healthier than processed foods.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

What would you say is healthy, then? I would think fruits and vegetables are healthier than processed foods.

Food has to satisfy your nutritional needs. Those needs can't be met by fruits and vegetables alone.

Nutrition is a complex process, but not a complex subject. But as simple as it is few understand it.

 

[Galatea]

Food has to satisfy your nutritional needs. Those needs can't be met by fruits and vegetables alone.

Nutrition is a complex process, but not a complex subject. But as simple as it is few understand it.

Well, sure. I know that people need protein and carbohydrates. The point is, fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive than processed food.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Well, sure. I know that people need protein and carbohydrates. The point is, fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive than processed food.

True, but some varieties are always affordable; bananas, and potatoes, for example. I consider a juicy orange a treat rather than a 'foodstuff'. Proper digestion is more important for nutrition than what specifically is being eaten.

Interestingly fresh fruits and vegetables would be completely out of reach were it not for gov't subsidies for big growers, and cheap farm labor.

 

[Galatea]

True, but some varieties are always affordable, bananas, and potatoes, for example. I consider a juicy orange a treat rather than a 'foodstuff'. Proper digestion is more important for nutrition than what specifically is being eaten.

The only way to have welfare recipients eat healthier food is to restrict what they are able to buy.

 

[frienden thalord]

I have a wonderful idea.
Lets have all them prosperity preachers who stole from the poor
set an example by sellilng their big houses.
then with the money, me, Galatia, and others can plant gardens.
I aint feared to get my hands dirty planting seeds.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The only way to have welfare recipients eat healthier food is to restrict what they are able to buy.

Education is the key. Sadly we are going in the opposite direction.

 

[Galatea]

I have a wonderful idea.
Lets have all them prosperity preachers who stole from the poor
set an example by sellilng their big houses.
then with the money, me, Galatia, and others can plant gardens.
I aint feared to get my hands dirty planting seeds.

That's a good idea, except I have a brown thumb and would kill the plants.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I have a wonderful idea.
Lets have all them prosperity preachers who stole from the poor
set an example by sellilng their big houses.
then with the money, me, Galatia, and others can plant gardens.
I aint feared to get my hands dirty planting seeds.

Have you gardened much? About the time you're tired of it the real work begins.