Are We Really What We Eat ? Really ?

[daily.reporter]

For the last number of years the term, " we are what we eat " has been bantered around to in a sense, shock us into looking at what we consume in our Bodies.  So l decided to get a New Map of the Adelaide Metropolitan Area and plot where the three main "Fast Food Outlet" providers were located. What l found not only surprised me, but also showed some other interesting similarities with another "Community Provider".  Cash Converter's- Pay Day Lender.

The three main fast food outlets l used were, McDonald's, Hungry Jack's & Red Rooster.

l remember reading a Letter to the Editor, of The Adelaide Advertiser, middle of last year, (2014), where a person wrote in to the paper on similar lines, and mentioned, l quote: " It is no good moving the fast food outlets out of the poorer areas, as the Fatties will find them, no matter where you put them. "  At the time, l thought that a remark like that was a bit "under the belt", so to speak.

However, my very thorough Research has found a Disturbing Trend by these Fast Food Outlets, to mainly be placed in what we call today by Government Terms, to be Lower Social-Economic Areas. Areas of High Unemployment, Single Mothers with children of all ages, and Areas of what is left over of the so called "Blue Collar" Workforce. (very few left now)

There are 38 Mcdonald's Fast Food "Restaurant's" in the Greater Adelaide Metropolitan Area, 20 of these are in LSEA's.

There are 10 Hungry Jack's Fast Food "Restaurant's" in the Greater Adelaide Metropolitan Area, 5 of these are in LSEA's.

There are 5 Red Rooster Fast Food "Restaurant's" in the Greater Adelaide Metropolitan Area, 4 of these are in LSEA's.

Even though these so called "Fast Food Restaurant's" claim to have "Diet Type" meals, and Lower "Fat" content items, the huge amount of Salt and other preservatives that are included are disturbing.  The Soft Cones, Soft Drinks from the Tap Syrup Dispenser, and the ingredients of these so called "Healthier" Burgers, leave much to be consumed, and left with for a long time to come.

A News article from the Channel 10 News at 5pm tonight, mentioned that we (Australia) have one of the Highest Salt Contents in Fast Food, in the whole world. Huge amounts more than the UK, & the USA.  (USA, the Home of Fast Food Outlets)

A visit at almost anytime to Hungry Jack's & Mcdonald's (especially around meal time, or after school time) will show you obese not only "children", but in the Adults that are there with them.  Another Generation growing up and being Drafted into the "Fast Food " meal time event.  I guess my most disappointing "discovery" was the amount of severely obese individuals that were lining up for "seconds" orders, and then partaking of the Soft Cone/Soft Drinks.

What has this type of "eating" brought upon our children and families ?  What can be done to correct this sad situation ?

More Federal Funding to Medicare/Health Fund Providers ?  

School Education starting as early as Pre-School, in Healthy Eating, and staying Healthy, and more outside activities on the school oval.

The Best Advise, is that proper training start in the home, ...if possible. (not always possible).

What do you think ?

[greywolf271]

Fast foods should come with a health warning on the wrapper just like cigarettes. Also, people who consume fast food in large quantities should'nt be entitled to health care

[daily.reporter]

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@springyzone wrote:

There's a reason.

years back I spoke to a woman I know, who had 6 kids and her explanation was that people on a low-average income can't afford to eat out at expensive restaurants but they still want to be like everyone else and sometimes have a break from cooking or take the family out, so maccas gives them an affordable outlet for a treat.

I think maybe we need to look at it the other way round. In the very high income areas, how many restaurants are there & how often do those couples eat out? I was shocked once to read that often these people can be out 3 or 4 times a week for fine dining. And for most, it is at least twice, eg for lunch with the girls or dinner.

Admittedly, they are probably eating better quality food but it seems to me hypocritical to be down on poorer people who buy take away once a week when their richer counterparts are eating out more.

Companies build where there is a market. The wealthy  are going out just as much if not more, but not to cheaper places.

Answer. We need cheaper places that serve some healthier food in attractive ways.

---

I have no problems with what you have said, and yes, l agree as well. In fact we know of  friends who you would class as Middle Wage Earners, 1 a Bus Driver $65,000 per year, his wife works as a Special Education Teacher in a Special Needs Govt. School on $72,000 per year, both have children in their 30's & left home. Bob & Pat each out at a Good Market Hotel Dinner, three times a week, and every Fr./Sat. night entertain at home with bid BBQ's.  AND their $500,000 house and $65,000 New Caravan, are not paid off.

So yes, l would call it "living the high hog", even though they may be eating Prime Rib Steaks, and washing down with nice Wine.

I understand what you are saying, BUT, do not please underestimate the two totally different eating "styles" and location of these establishments. 

At no way was l having a "sling" at the LSEA persons, and to say as such to me does your own post an injustice.

I was an orphan, went to school with cardboard in my 3rd hand "shoes".  All my clothes were from donations, l slept in a cold unfriendly "room" with 11 other "unwanted souls."

So PLEASE be a little mindful of how you perceive other people or what they have to say.

Have you walked a mile in my shoes ???????

I am where l am today because l got of my unfat a*se and made something of myself, thanks the Australian Army, and my friendships that are bonded for life, no matter what.  What l saw in Vietnam was enough to see how little food others have.

UP & MOVING FORWARD

[daily.reporter]

Sorry, l did not have my Dictation Spell Checker on, helps with me at my age. Yes, Aussie bred & Aussie born, just need to be more aware of my spelling.

[pct001wine]

They've started mapping food deserts in Australia.  This article touches on the obvious knock-on health issues for those living in a "desert".

Going by their definition of a desert (A food desert exists where it is more than 1,600 metres to the nearest grocer, and less than that distance to the nearest takeaway shop) I live in a big desert ...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-08/food-deserts-have-serious-consequences-for-residents-experts/6...

[myoclon1cjerk]

If people who eat large quantities of fast food are to be made ineligible to access health care,then we should add smokers,drinkers, motorcyclists,kids who engage in risky pasttimes (rugby,skateboarding) and maybe even people in high risk jobs such as the police and military.The list could end up as long as your arm.

[springyzone]

have no problems with what you have said, and yes, l agree as well. In fact we know of  friends who you would class as Middle Wage Earners, 1 a Bus Driver $65,000 per year, his wife works as a Special Education Teacher in a Special Needs Govt. School on $72,000 per year, both have children in their 30's & left home. Bob & Pat each out at a Good Market Hotel Dinner, three times a week, and every Fr./Sat. night entertain at home with bid BBQ's.  AND their $500,000 house and $65,000 New Caravan, are not paid off.

So yes, l would call it "living the high hog", even though they may be eating Prime Rib Steaks, and washing down with nice Wine.

I understand what you are saying, BUT, do not please underestimate the two totally different eating "styles" and location of these establishments. 

At no way was l having a "sling" at the LSEA persons, and to say as such to me does your own post an injustice.

I was an orphan, went to school with cardboard in my 3rd hand "shoes".  All my clothes were from donations, l slept in a cold unfriendly "room" with 11 other "unwanted souls."

So PLEASE be a little mindful of how you perceive other people or what they have to say.

Have you walked a mile in my shoes ???????

I am where l am today because l got of my unfat a*se and made something of myself, thanks the Australian

------------------------------------

Good grief, I think you have taken my post personally when it wasn't meant that way at all. I was more commenting on reports about differences between economic areas, not about your personal views. I didn't perceive it that you were putting poor people 'down'.

I was simply trying to say that if we are objective we need to look at eating patterns right across the board. It seems to me that eating out/ buying pre made meals is a big part of our society now, in both wealthy and poorer areas. So what  is needed are more attractive & healthy food options that are also affordable.

I actually think that is starting to happen.

There's a good book called Framework of Poverty which I think is brilliant at describing mind set/beliefs/motivating factors across class.

Possibly the most interesting finding in it was that the differences are not really related to money, as most people think.

[daily.reporter]

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@springyzone wrote:

There's a reason.

years back I spoke to a woman I know, who had 6 kids and her explanation was that people on a low-average income can't afford to eat out at expensive restaurants but they still want to be like everyone else and sometimes have a break from cooking or take the family out, so maccas gives them an affordable outlet for a treat.

I think maybe we need to look at it the other way round. In the very high income areas, how many restaurants are there & how often do those couples eat out? I was shocked once to read that often these people can be out 3 or 4 times a week for fine dining. And for most, it is at least twice, eg for lunch with the girls or dinner.

Admittedly, they are probably eating better quality food but it seems to me hypocritical to be down on poorer people who buy take away once a week when their richer counterparts are eating out more.

Companies build where there is a market. The wealthy  are going out just as much if not more, but not to cheaper places.

Answer. We need cheaper places that serve some healthier food in attractive ways.

---

but it seems to me hypocritical to be down on poorer people who buy take away once a week when their richer counterparts are eating out more.

My point to you was your owns words here above, l was not being hypocritical to be down on poor people, ...... because l was not.

The whole basis of my post was of the impact that the Fast Food Chain Outlets are HAVING in out Lower Social Economic Areas, 

and that we have to modify and educate our young, and not so young to the dangers of these type of "eating establishments", which is a proved fact, beyond any doubt, that yes, the companies place them where they can get the greatest return for their investment, dollar wise. $$$$$$$

springyzone, you and l fully agree, it is just that we are approaching the same problem, but from two different avenues, BUT have arrived at the same conclusion, we need to educate ourselves to the pitfalls of these "eating outlets."   All good springzone, thanks.

[springyzone]

I'm sorry, the sentence was not meant to be aimed at you or your post at all. I meant it to refer to all the news reports about poorer areas/people eating too much take away etc. I can see though how you might have taken it a sa personal remark. It definitely was not meant that way.

As i said, no news reports seem to look at the whole picture, which is our changing culture/people eating out more across the board.

I see the dangers in unhealthy eating habits but I think the pressure has to be on some of these shops to improve what they offer and as I said i think that is slowly happening.

How much we can or should regulate individuals though, and what they can buy or eat, I am not sure.

I think change has to come on a broader front-pressure on the companies themselves and also maybe pressure on the govt. We could grow a lot of our food here but our farmers are crowded out by a lot of inferior overseas food products, in my opinion. I see that as a big problem.

[person.of.interest.2u2]

I could not agree more, yes we are on the same track. I never come to offend other posters, and am willing to listen and learn. We are both on the same train, and heading in the same direction, let us hope these eating establishments are listening. Great to have your input. Thanks.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Just a thought: I wonder how often Clive Palmer buys maccas.