Posted on 05/07/2015 7:03:31 AM PDT by PROCON
henever Republicans talk about trimming the federal food stamp program, Democrats decry them as cold, heartless or worse. But new research shows that cutting food stamps could actually make the country healthier.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture looked at data from 2007 through 2010, then compared average weights of those on food stamps — officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — to those who weren't.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.investors.com ...
We need more gubmint studies on this national tragedy.
(Hmmm, only 40%?)
But...but ...but they are HUNGREY!
Hunger - it’s a national tragedy!
For the first time in human history poor people are fat.
Probably because they are making bad food choices. There is a lot of cheap stuff out there, loaded with High Fructose Corn Syrup, that will make you fat quick. So this does not surprise me.
The Libs will use this for justification to increase the food stamp allotment so these people can buy “quality” food. However, if their allotment goes up, I highly doubt they will actually spend the increase on better food. They didn’t end up on food stamps in the first place by making smart choices.
I’ve often wondered if the kids in the house are on free school breakfast/lunches/(sometimes) dinner, do they also get food stamps? If so, why?
10 lbs potatoes, $5 (at right time of year, $2).
50 lbs rice or bread flour, <$20.
1 lb frozen mixed veggies, $1.
8 hot dogs, $1.
That’s more food than you can stand for $1.50/day.
“There is a lot of cheap stuff out there, loaded with High Fructose Corn Syrup, that will make you fat quick.”
Not if you eat less of it... And this “cheap” stuff is not cheap.
This program exists to keep Walmart, Safeway, Kroger, Giant Eagle, Kraft, Campbells, Hostess, ConAgra, etc. etc. in the money more than feeding “the poor”.
Cheap is relative. I meant cheaper than the “good” stuff. The trouble with a lot of cheap HFCS food is that it stimulates your appetite even more. And, again, we’re talking about people who likely don’t have a lot of discipline or self control.
If the money is low and they really are poor (as opposed to scammed out playing basketball or running with gangs) then this would be expected.
If you eat cheap, you eat carbs.
Potatoes, grains, noodles.
Also (by government standards) bodybuilders are “obese.”
Extending Moochelle Obama’s illogic—Therefore, we must eliminate food stamps.
Uh huh....Just get behind one of these kids at the checkout and see what THEY buy for their families.
I don't eat in ONE year the amount of junk food and other prepared garbage that passes for groceries with THOSE girls/women. I feel sorry for their kids!
I guess if you didn't actually EARN grocery money YOURSELF, then you don't buy REAL groceries... instead, you buy party food!!
Surprised that the “government” would admit to the obvious.
I don’t think it’s eating cheap as much as it is eating “lazy” - ie, convenience food full of carbs, fat, and sodium.
Do away with ebt and food stamps and just ship small essential care boxes or have pickup points.
It isn’t likely to happen because the greatest corruption is from stores and food producers... As well as politians.
“I meant cheaper than the “good” stuff.”
It’s not cheaper than the good stuff. The problem is that people don’t know how to cook anymore. 60 years ago they taught it in school, I doubt that they do anymore.
No sh!t Sherlock!!
Almost every time I am standing in line behind an obese person who has a cart full of all highly processed junk food they end up paying with some form of government assistance. Up here they have what are called “EBT” cards so it is a little less obvious.
Government nutritional assistance should be limited to only basic ingredients such as rice, flour, sugar, dried milk, eggs, margarine, vegetables, fruits, cheese, meats and fish. Persons and families in need should prepare their meals from scratch. The only “processed” foods should be things like pancake mix or “bisquick” and canned foods that make it a little easier to get a recipe right. I realize that many have grown up almost completely on fast food and pre-processed foods and might need some basic instruction to go along with their government assistance.
Around here there used to be many more “food banks” run churches and charitable organizations where they gave out basic foods to those in need. Much of it came from the Department of Agriculture along with donations. My parents volunteered. The problem then as now was that there is basically no accountability. Many people go from one food bank to the next hoarding and then selling the supplies to others instead of actually making use of them as intended. The food bank volunteers can often tell who is doing this but are often not allowed to do anything about it.
Regards,
A big part of the problem is what they eat. The agribusiness concerns push some very unhealthy (but tasty) food on them, which is allowed through the program. A big part of this are foods high in:
fats
sugar and HFCS
artificial sweeteners that can cause or exacerbate weight gain
sodium
high carbohydrate but low fiber processed foods
Overconsumption of these things can change the intestinal flora, contributing to and exacerbating obesity. Many obese individuals have as much as 1/3rd of their flora dominated by a single type of bacteria (genus Enterobacter) that on its own can cause obesity in those with a more healthy diet.
The other problem is Public Assistance. Purchasing tobacco and other tobacco paraphernalia is already banned with Food Stamp/SNAP benefits.
What is currently allowed, at point of sale, is using public assistance funds to purchase cigarettes, tobacco products, tobacco paraphernalia and alcohol. While forbidden to use SNAP/EBT, it is still available through public assistance such as EPPICards (debit cards often used to pay child support), that also work at ATM terminals. So if they cannot use their cards directly, they can get cash and use it.
Importantly, people on food stamps do not need (and wouldn’t consume) drek like in the Michelle Obama diet. But they could have their access to *extreme* foods curtailed, despite industry lobbyists; and having a more normal diet would by itself contribute to reducing obesity over time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.