Food for Thought

[gingerspark]

 
As we throw ourselves into the unabashed over-indulgences of the festive season…
Some Real Food for Thought

What is eaten in one week

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11
 

Comments

[jaiden_s]

I think that's fairly accurate. We are a junk food nation, and it's catching up with us. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke and obesity are all on the rise. Unless significant dietary and lifestyle changes are made, we'll be a nation of fatties.

Of course, I just had a piece of poundcake, so I can't really say anything.

[gingerspark]

Canada too... I feel I'm constantly saying no to junk food requests from the kids...

it's just so easily obtainable and so cheap :/

[camile_sinensis]

I'm sure I throw away more than the last family has every week... it's obscene, really.

I do like how the Germans consider beer to be food though!

Interestingly enough, there are now so many Polish people living here since Poland joined the EU that our local Tesco has started stocking Polish food, including jars of pickled cabbage and Polish chocolate bars... which contain alcohol. I thought it tasted a bit alcoholic, but I was just imagining it, but the daughter also announced, unprompted, that a boozy taste was evident, so we consulted the ingredients, and lo, alcohol was among them.

[gingerspark]

we probably do too... sadly.

beer is food... so is gin.

We've got a large number of Italians and UKers here... so our grocery store has a decent range of imported goods - not the stuff I want but... their hearts are in the right place

no really ! I don't want Vegemite and Marmite... honest! Thanks anyways...

[camile_sinensis]

the husband buys Marmite, and then accuses *me* of eating the stuff when he discovers the jar empty. I would rather eat my own toenails!

[poets_hand]

I was surprised by all the bread the Italian family eats! That's a loaf and a half a day!

I'm in school for a BS in Integrated Therapeutic Practices (holistic health), a minor in nutrition, and a degree as an RD. That US family is one of the reasons I'm in school. I write so many papers on juvenile diabetes, juvenile obesity, juvenile asthma, ADHD, Autism, etc etc etc....Like you say. 90% of today's kids' health problems stem from diet.

My kids get a little grumpy that I'm a "nutritionist", but they're used to it. I get the occasional "But whiiiine can't I drink a whole 20 ounce coke by myself???" Did your kids ever grow out of that?

[gingerspark]

"Awwwww.... but Moooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"
I get that all the time!

I'm not anal about it (at least that's MY version of the story) but I don't buy half the crap that my kids friends have.

The rule is when, and IF, I have pop (or soda) in the house... not more than one can a day... this is extremely fair and generous (I think) but has me labeled as a cruel dictator

they do sneak when they're at their friends houses.... BUT revenge is sweet! They usually are quite ill after "over-indulging" and I rub it in but good....
"Of course you're feeling sick... what did you eat at little Johnny's house? That'll teach you!.... I don't care! You're getting up and going to school - maybe next time you'll listen to your mother"

[cerisaye]

Wow. What a fascinating survey! There has been a great deal of attention here lately on the vast amount of food simply thrown away by the average British family every week- I know I'm guilty though try to use leftovers when possible. It is partly to do with our supermarket-induced obsession with use-by dates, but also we just buy too much in the first place. Looking at what the Chad family has certainly shows that.

I'm shocked by the American family- do they really eat so little fresh food? I know a UK version would doubtless be similar, though depending on various factors to do with class, income, educational attainment level, etc. could also be more like the Italian or German family.

[gingerspark]

yeah... I think alot of it depends on class, income, educational attainment level... I'm not sure what methods this "survey" used.
Demographic averages can mean quite a few things...

I just thought it was really interesting from alot of stand points...

We still throw away way too much food, but I'm trying to be better at it
:)

[drillingcat]

that's very disturbing especially when you think of how much of that will actually be thrown out by us westerners!

[gingerspark]

yup... my son was scrolling through the pictures and laughing at all the junk, until he got to the last one. He was quite shocked.