Salt, Sugar, Fat.

[zuludog]

I've just finished reading "Salt, Sugar, Fat" by Michael Moss; an account of the growth of processed food over the last century, and especially post WW2; and mostly in USA
It's a bit heavy going, but here's one quote, where he discusses the rise in obesity and other health issues, and the fact that junk food is generally cheaper than healthy food

"The real question is this price sensitivity and, unfortunately, the growing disparity of income between the haves and have-nots. It costs more money to eat healthier, fresher foods. And so, there is a huge economic issue involved in the obesity problem. It falls most heavily on those who have the fewest resources and probably the least understanding or knowledge of what they are doing"

Which more or less sums up a lot of opinions, including mine

Here's another quote;

"I found that many of the (food company) executives I talked to go out of their way to avoid their own products."

 

[Northerner]

Vested interests of powerful industries have kept this going for decades, maximising profits and with governments too afraid to legislate, hence all the 'voluntary agreements' we have in the food industry

 

[Amigo]

I've read that too Zuludog and am very much in agreement with many of the observations.

What does concern me as a newly dx Type 2 though is how massive stereotyping reinforces the image of the T2 as rather greedy, nutrition ignorant and lazy by grabbing finger food on the hoof! Though many people do and thankfully avoid the scourge of diabetes.
I readily admit to feeling a stigma attached to this illness and whilst I take some responsibility for not stopping it in its tracks (if that had been possible), I've got a strong genetic predisposition and a history of acute pancreatitis caused when I had a blocked bile duct. There was a fear then that my pancreas may have taken a hit and caused damage.

But since being dx, even though I've always cooked from fresh every day, I'm finding that I need to be much better prepared now and grabbing something from the fridge isn't an option anymore. And yes it can be more expensive but I am guarding against fad eating. My sadness is that I know other people with diabetes who remain pretty clueless and just cannot grasp the concept of food causing physical damage. We owe it to ourselves to learn and apply as much as possible (says she clutching an ice cream yesterday!).

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I've also seen reports which compare socio-economic status of different parts of the country with fast food/takeaway outlet density.

Stereotypical and perhaps hardly surprising, but there does seem to be a direct correlation between poorer areas and increased density.

 

[Copepod]

The buzzwords in academia are "obesogenic environments", which covers both availability of suitable food options and making active transport options [walking & cycling] more convenient than motor transport.

 

[zuludog]

I live in Burnley, which is a run down old mill town. In the area where I live the main activity seems to be fast food shops. Fortunately there is also a LIDL and 2 or 3 Asian greengrocers which are not as pretty as the major supermarkets, but good value for money

In the town centre there are several discount stores. A few months ago it struck me just how much of their shelf space is devoted to sweets, biscuits, and confectionery in general.

 

[Northerner]

In the town centre there are several discount stores. A few months ago it struck me just how much of their shelf space is devoted to sweets, biscuits, and confectionery in general.

It always strikes me in supermarkets how many of the 'special offers' are for sweets, booze, biscuits, crisps and cakes - definitely the majority of them

 

[banjo]

I find that it is more expensive to buy processed foods from the supermarket - but i am in the fortunate situation of having a large chest freezer so i bulk buy and freeze - make me own pasta sauces etc( also know then what is in them - ie no sugar lol)