Poor People and their Food
Statistics claim that poor people have poor diets. Diets loaded with too many calories and not enough fibre and nutrients.
Grandpa Richard asks, “Why?”
This was highlighted to me by a news story today out of Los Angeles.
73% of South Los Angeles restaurants are fast food establishments, compared to 42% in West Los Angeles. West Los Angeles is more affluent that South Los Angeles. Furthermore, the obesity rate in South is 30%, and only 14% in West.
They interviewed a South Los Angeles resident. He said, “I am unemployed and do not have a car, it (the fast food place nearby) serves as a cheap, convenient staple for me.”
WHAT!!!
What about the grocery store? Aren’t there any of those nearby as well? Maybe Grandpa Richard should teach a course on how to eat well, and cheaply, by shopping at grocery stores.
I have watched people who were of a lower income level leave the grocery store. It amazes me (and saddens me) to see the high percentage of processed foods in their carts. Do they not know how to prepare meals from recipes? Or are they the typical picture of a poor person; lazy? I hate to pigeon hole people, but it seems like too easy an answer. They are poor and unhealthy eaters because they will not take the time to use a recipe to make meals from scratch. I probably spend less money on food than many poor people, and my income is above average. My meals are also full of fresh and wholesome food. What gives?
What else did our South Los Angeles resident say? “I don’t think there’s too many fast food places,” he said. “People like it.”
