Junk food. Too easy to come by?

First up! This is NOT a political discussion. I am happy for Medhelp to remove any political right or wrong type postings. I just want to draw attention to the fact that America being one of the most obese countries in the world has the easiest access to food that is, in at least my mind, too unhealthy!
  I wonder how often you dear forum reader's eat any of the stuff this guy talks about?
Much and all as it tastes yummy, how many of you really make the effort to not have junk food on a regular basis?
Don't get me wrong! I like the occaisonal take away food too! But am just curious as to see what most people will admit to eating each day. How many actually cook home made meals from scratch? I am finding here in Australia the convenience of pre-made meals is becoming more prevalant in our freezer and long life foods sections.
We are now 1% more obese as a nation than America! Argh! Very scary!
I wonder if the marketing of the foods is what gets you to eat them also? I never see any ads for, say apples, being fun and exciting!
  
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090813/ap_on_re_us/us_doughnut_doctor

[Lonelymom]

Honestly I eat unhealthy more than health because of cost of food.  I have a recipe for health home cooked meal that me and DH and kids love but if I was to go to the store and buy all of the ingredients it would cost close to $50 for one meal versus Hamburger Helper for instance that only cost a couple of dollars for the box and then a couple of dollars for the meat so $50 to eat healthy or $15 to eat unhealthy my budget only allows for the unhealthy.

Also, when you can get a little debbies snack cheaper than you can buy a bag of apples then what would you buy? Me it is going to be the debbies snacks unfortunatly.

[have 2 kids]

We rarely eat anything prepared from a box or fast food.    I admit I'm a chocolate lover but have really cut down on my intake.   It is more expensive to eat fruits, etc but much easier to control weight.      

[FurballsMom]

I have so many food sensitivities that I eat nothing but food cooked at home from scratch.  It is mind boggling how many chemicals are in prepared packaged foods, as well as how much of it has partially hydrogenated vegetable shortening and the like.  I got sick and tired of reading labels, so I decided to "opt out" of the packaged foods all together.  I get sick if I have any of these foods, so avoiding them is a lot easier for me than for most people.  My doctor is proud of the weight I lost.  I still have a weight issue, but it's far less severe than when I was obese.

[teko]

I like nothing that is good for me! We were very poor when I was a kid. Now that I am grown and the kids are raised, I have a terrible diet and I love it! But I do not have a weight problem, cause the stress I am under eats the calories! I am sooo bad! :D

[ChitChatNine]

Since I've started using MedHelp's Food Diary tracker, I am much more aware of what's goimg in my mouth --it's really heightened my level of awareness of what's in that fast food burger, etc... I am as guilty as the next -- but have cut down quite a bit and happy about that!

Food Diary:  http://www.medhelp.org/land/food-diary

Check it out .. it has easy reports that show you the % of what you're eating!

[peggy64]

well, at least we are still skinnier than Australia! (even if by 1%). ha ha ha!!

Seriously, I stay away from prepackaged foods. I have tried also to cut out soft drinks and might have one every 4 months.

We need to get back to basics of meals. We don't have to have expensive meat all the time. why not go back to eating dried beans a couple of nights a week. They are better for you, and much cheaper.  and organic...just my thoughts on the subject..

[remar]

I totally agree Peggy. Making a crockpot of all different kinds of beans is so healthy and so cheap.
I buy what's on sale as far a fruits and veggies. Strawberries, blueberries and peaches are in season right now and their their so cheap. You can even freeze them for the winter.
Parents and their kids will eat what's in the house. If there's no junk food, you can't eat it.
I just cringe when I drive by a fast food place and see people ordering that stuff.
I have a limited food budget too but if you really shop around you can eat heathly and stay within your budget.

[Cherie762]

hardly ever sometimes I get those broccoli/cheese baked potatoes from Wendys, I am a veggie, once about a year ago i ate a big mac just sounded good it was toxic to me my bodys not used to meat and I go and eat something thatss 45% fat. i was sick for 2 days.

[zodiacqueen]

Hey NOT all fast food is bad for you!!!  McDonald's is one of my favorites-they've got some very healthy and yummy salads.  They also have LOW fat ice cream.  Wendy's also has some healthy choices-salads, chili, and they also have low fat ice cream.  And, I'm with Cheri-I love the baked potatoes too!!

Ya see, there are healthy choices at the fast-food places.  It is about choosing wisely, and not choosing that triple bacon cheeseburger w/ a monster size fries.

BTW, McD's and Wendy's have the nutrition info of all their foods on their websites, if anyone cares to look.

[jollyman069]

well you are so right red...I had to have gastric bypas 2 years ago..and it has SAVED my life...I weighed 396 lbs the day of my surgery...that was sept 5th 2007....today I weigh 210 lbs....it was because of bad eating habits, and being lazy...now gastric is not just getting the surgery and thats it....it is a life style change...I eat very little red meat, more fish and chicken....but to be honest it would be a whole lot easier if I never put myself in that postion

[gokuangel]

I am SO learning and im YES im SS to say its all quantity!! You can enjoy fast food hamburgers pizza whatever just dont over do it and if you have to limit your self then do so BUT dont gorge yourself on these food and you can enjoy them and still be ok!! I love fast food infact im an addict and yes im on Spark people but i did learn every so often dont hurt and i believe that learning that when ur full put the food DOWN is important!! You can have it later thats ok 2!!

[Barb135]

I hear people say "I can't eat healthy because it's too expensive" and I have to say that's really sort of a cop out........... Think about it.

A head of lettuce and a few tomatoes, cukes, carrots, celery, etc can make a pretty hefty salad and cost the same or only pennies more than a bag of chips........Add some boiled eggs (yes, you know you  have them on hand to make the chocolate chip cookies with) and a bit of diced turkey, chicken, etc and you have a meal........

And let's not forget that frozen foods are almost as good as fresh, with canned coming in last, but still a can of  low salt green beans and a piece of grilled fish is going to be better for you than a Big Mac and most likely won't cost as much.

Pre-made dinners are easy and with our work a day world - that fits in.  Let's face it - I work 10 hour days in the summer - I admit, I don't have time to cook - period.  I eat out at lunch 4 days/week, but that's my main meal of the day and I do my best to eat healthy - I find it makes me feel much better, isn't any more expensive AND now that I'm getting my thyroid levels in check, I'm actually able to lose a bit of weight.......

[redheadaussie]

Hey all! Some great responses! Now that I am back here in the States, I must tell you, your food is NO way as expensive as ours.  I hear what you are saying Lonelymom. I did see some foods that were way cheaper than fresh, which would make it tempting to buy.
  I saw two LARGE frozen fillets of fresh salmon today for $7.99. Back home one SMALL fillet is $12.99 average (Aus dollars = $10.66 US) still way better value and cheap. My darling man said, Nah..we can get it cheaper at this other place. I nearly fell over! Cheaper? You jest! Nope. Mind you,most of our salmon is caught in Tasmania....only a few hours by air away from the mainland! So why do we pay more?????  
  Tomatoes here....sooooo cheap! 79c a pound for Roma tomatoes, back home I pay $6.99!!!!!  Amy's Lentil soup. back home $3.99 Aus Here around $2.39 cheapest I have found. The list goes on! Our wages are pretty much the same as you guys. So I can't understand why anyone would not want to eat fresh.
You are right Barb there are many good frozen foods and some are higher quality than others. I can understand with you working 10 hours a day it makes it difficult.
  Buy up with your friends, go in one car and do a big shop together. Take turns in doing that each week.  You guys have coupons for nearly everything, USE them. We don't have that luxury! Make meals in advance and freeze them. Then you can really say you have fast food when you microwave it and serve it up! Believe me,being on a low income means you have to think of new ideas to feed the family, and I know it seems difficult but it isn't.  
  I see too many convenience foods here, and you pay for them! They are full of ingredients that are banned back where I live! High fructose corn syrup in an Angel food cake? Bleurgh! What happened to everyday sugar? I read every label as I am gluten intolerant and can't believe some of the junk in the food I see on the shelves here. The good food is VERY good, but for your health's sake, take time to actually read what's in the food. My motto is, if the ingredient sounds more at home in a science lab, then I don't want it in my tummy!
   I guess in all it really is a balance between convenience and tastes and the wallet!