It gets harder and harder to make the right decisions in today's society. It seems that way, at least. What was initially perceived as the right decision ends up looking more like a critical mistake in hindsight. What starts out as a smart idea may later on appear to be a costly error.
This is true in so many facets of our lives. In some cases, this truth is a stark inevitability if nothing else. What bothers me, however is this truth making itself blatantly evident when it comes to our health, nutrition and food services.
It would behoove all of you reading this post to understand that I am not a nutritionist in any capacity. I love my unhealthy snacks just as much as I do my fruits, nuts and other assorted wholesome foods; and I won't stand around long enough to listen to a lecture about my eating habits.
Seriously. I won't. Ask my wife.
I am, however concerned about the availability of certain health foods relative to their pricing in comparison to the price of fast food items.
Speaking of our fast food items, though:
Am I the only one around here that is tired of this disparity?
The disparity is ever apparent. That much is certain.
I completely lament with those of us who feel slighted when that chicken sandwich, burger, taco or salad that looks so very appetizing in that shameless smattering of advertisements ends up looking like something terribly horrific once we peel back that wrapper.
Honestly, McDonalds. This is part of the reason why I'll likely never eat those fish sandwiches from you guys; and although I have never crossed the threshold of a Double Down Chicken Sandwich, I have seen one opposite its commercial counterpart.
The only thing that looked halfway decent was the chicken; and those who have been in my company when I became ill from two different KFC establishments know that I'm even somewhat skeptical about that as well.Cheese sauce in place of a slice of cheddar and two Might-Be-Like-They-Might-Not-Be-Cooked-Oh-Well-Lets-Hope-For-The-Best strips of bacon between the two fried chicken breasts(serving as the two slices of bread, of course) and my appetite was considerably suppressed at first glance from then on throughout that day.
Suffice it to say, I'm not a KFC man at all.
I'm honestly not a love of Arby's either; and this doesn't really do much to win me over:
Like I said, I'm not a fan of Arby's food at all; but for those of you who happen to enjoy their sandwiches, aren't you even a little bit disappointed in the difference between the two?
I believe that the latter photographs are breakfast burritos from either Sonic or McDonald's. I'm gonna say it's from Sonic. Still, though: I'm confident in my guessing which one will look more appetizing to you.
Its just very disparaging to see how much care and careful preparation is put into the meals that are featured in advertisements and how much of that same work is seemingly neglected when we receive what we hope looks exactly like what is being advertised.
I've heard the back and forth about how employees at fast food establishments would incur less productivity time if they were to actually take the time to prepare our food the way that it is advertised; and I understand how that could become a hindrance. It is food that is intended to be served fast, after all; so it would take longer for orders to be completed and get back to customers. We all know what kind of problems that would create.
All I'm saying is a that a little authenticity would be nice every now and then; at least to the point where it doesn't look like they spent more time on the sloppiness of their presentation rather than the care and consideration that one would come to expect of anyone in this line of business. There are exceptions, of course. I've known a Sonic location or two to have gotten their act together for the most part. Interestingly enough, this may be why we see more people going to restaurants that sell some of the same items that certain fast food establishments do; so I'm sure that those places won't want to hear that fast food has made a turn for better presentation.
Think about it: Outside of your favorite Mom and Pops deli, dive or burger and shakes place to sit and eat, if some of our most recognizable fast food chains actually increased the presentation of their food items by say........40%, I'd venture to guess that more people would frequent these places more than they already do. Sure places like McDonald's, Popeye's, Burger King and Taco Bell have an enormous influx of business as is; but they would be so much more prominent if they were to spruce up their presentation slightly.
That's just my vantage point on this though.
A much more egregious disparity in our culture as Americans, however is the blatant differential in prices between healthier, fresher(especially organic) foods and those questionably cheaper, often times sketchy fast food items that we consume.
Our loved ones, our community and even our own government in their own implicit ways implore that we as Americans should take better care of our bodies. They say that we should eat more fruits and vegetables. Stay away from processed foods. Avoid the trans-fats. No MSG. Stay away from this fast food that we fund consistently for you to partake of. Go green. Go organic. Eat fresher foods rather than those full of preservatives.
As crazy as it all sounds, they're right. We should do all of these things and more.
So wherein lies the issue?
Living is expensive; and that isn't a recent development. It costs to stay housed, it costs to have transportation to take advantage of, and it costs to protect our bodies from the elements. What shouldn't cost as much as it does is our health and promotion of healthier living along the lines of our food choices.
Scrutiny will exist no matter what; especially in our society. There will always be someone ready and willing to scrutinize. Criticism may likely live forever; and that is surely apparent when it comes the judgment we receive in response to our choices regarding what to eat.
I'm sure that a large amount of the time, we didn't choose that double cheeseburger with curly fries and a large soda just because we had a taste for it. Its definitely an economical issue to some degree. Keep in mind that we are talking about disparities here. That disparity will force those with a less than adequate income(which is pretty much a majority these days) to make the cheaper, quicker, more cost convenient choice rather than going for the healthier choice most times.
The price of that meal from a fast food restaurant in comparison to the price of some of our basic food group pairings such as certain foods containing the necessary grains, proteins and other healthy nourishing nutrients is considerably unbalanced; and this doesn't even delve directly into organic food yet. The prices on fresh produce or meals and processed foods made without certain preservatives continues to increase; driving families further away from what should be available at a decent rate while simultaneously driving them closer to a ill fated yet somewhat substantiated frequency of fast food consumption.
So what if you aren't one to consume a lot of fast food? You're no doubt cooking more, right? If you're anything like me or anyone that I know, you aren't necessarily always cooking with preservative free ingredients. That just isn't always "financially responsible" in frequency; especially with the ever growing difficulty to sustain some semblance of comfort in a working class society. This results in the purchase of foods that may still taste good but are laden with preservatives and additives that vary contingent upon what the item is because said foods are more affordable than those void of preservatives.
Organic food likely comes to mind right away, doesn't it?
Now don't get me wrong. This is not a stab at organic food at all. As a matter of fact, I can't get enough Silk in my diet. Absolutely love it. The issue here is that for something so wholesome, natural and good for your body, one would presume that the demand for these goods would match the availability("price") of them as well. As I have stated before, outside of some of the dishes and foods that are shelved under the "organic" label that would probably scare people away whether they were affordable or not, there is a pretty sizable list of organic foods that most of us would love to regularly partake of that are simply too high in cost to warrant anyone purchasing with any routine frequency.
You guys know the joke:
Go to your favorite supermarket with $100 and you may have a full basket; but do the same thing at an organic food market and you might walk out with a full bag.
Plastic; not paper.
Just one.
I believe there's more truth to that joke than some of us would like to acknowledge.
Also, I'm sure that most if not all of us knew this already; but store bought organic foods don't keep as long as foods processed with preservatives and additives. Therefore, these foods must be consumed a lot earlier in their shelf life than most other foods; which inherently contributes to the issue of money spent vs. money wasted when a lot of these products that are purchased for a higher price must be thrown away.
So let's even say that you're the person that loves your fast food, doesn't shy away from processed ingredients or meals or any of that but you do like to snack healthier.
The sad truth is that you may still incur the same issues illustrated previously.
Cheetos are a staple among snack food enthusiasts worldwide. Although a spotted majority may be fully aware of Barbara's brand all natural snacks, I doubt it eludes the shadow that Cheetos casts over it in popularity, though. Both snacks boast the trendy "0 grams of trans fat" indication on their respective packaging. Both boast that real cheddar and other natural ingredients are used in the making of their products.
Here are the differences, however:
A 9 1/2 ounce bag of Cheetos will run you either close to a dollar in cost or no more than $1.08(thanks a lot, 9 cent Louisiana State Tax) at most grocery stores including Walmart. Of course, it is packed with preservatives to hold intact all of the milk and cheese cultures used in the processing of the snack itself.
The same size bag of Barbara's brand snacks will cost over three times as much, however. What's even more alarming is that a size smaller in ounces will still cost close to $2.50 per bag. Of course aside from the trans fat proclamation, Barbara's snack food boasts that it has no cholesterol and is completely vegetarian.
Giggity, Vegans. Giggity Goo.
If nothing else is apparent here, what is seen is that it even costs to snack healthier. This is a huge problem. We are told to promote healthier eating in order to preserve and extend our lives. We are told that we should make healthier choices when it comes to our body and what we choose to put in it. We are then presented said healthier choices with prices that only serve to frustrate, depress and sicken us further than we already would have been with our daily regimen of fast food and preservative laced meals and snacks.
I just want a little more authenticity when it comes to choices that we are given an opportunity to make. If that sandwich is advertised in such a neatly prepared fashion, one shouldn't look puzzled at our expressed dismay when we peel back the wrapper on a sloppy, visually unappealing mess after receiving our order. We shouldn't have to perspire with painstaking angst when deciding if it would cut into our rent or utility money should we decide to make healthier food choices this pay week. If we want to promote a healthier culture, why not decrease the price on quality produce and even some of organic items filling in the shelves of our markets? At least then, everyone would have a chance to show their true nature. This way, everyone would have the opportunity to make a fair choice void of circumstances regarding cost and expense.
I think that there are many of us out there that would love the opportunity to display our authenticity. We just don't feel like we're being given a fair enough chance to do so; regardless of what mass producers, distributors and marketers would have one believe.
We want things that are as advertised. The fact that this desire even needs to be expressed consistently serves as a reminder of just how far we are from the efficient, fully aware society that we would like to believe we are.
Seriously. I won't. Ask my wife.
I am, however concerned about the availability of certain health foods relative to their pricing in comparison to the price of fast food items.
Speaking of our fast food items, though:
The disparity is ever apparent. That much is certain.
I completely lament with those of us who feel slighted when that chicken sandwich, burger, taco or salad that looks so very appetizing in that shameless smattering of advertisements ends up looking like something terribly horrific once we peel back that wrapper.
Honestly, McDonalds. This is part of the reason why I'll likely never eat those fish sandwiches from you guys; and although I have never crossed the threshold of a Double Down Chicken Sandwich, I have seen one opposite its commercial counterpart.
The only thing that looked halfway decent was the chicken; and those who have been in my company when I became ill from two different KFC establishments know that I'm even somewhat skeptical about that as well.Cheese sauce in place of a slice of cheddar and two Might-Be-Like-They-Might-Not-Be-Cooked-Oh-Well-Lets-Hope-For-The-Best strips of bacon between the two fried chicken breasts(serving as the two slices of bread, of course) and my appetite was considerably suppressed at first glance from then on throughout that day.
Suffice it to say, I'm not a KFC man at all.
I'm honestly not a love of Arby's either; and this doesn't really do much to win me over:
Like I said, I'm not a fan of Arby's food at all; but for those of you who happen to enjoy their sandwiches, aren't you even a little bit disappointed in the difference between the two?
I believe that the latter photographs are breakfast burritos from either Sonic or McDonald's. I'm gonna say it's from Sonic. Still, though: I'm confident in my guessing which one will look more appetizing to you.
Its just very disparaging to see how much care and careful preparation is put into the meals that are featured in advertisements and how much of that same work is seemingly neglected when we receive what we hope looks exactly like what is being advertised.
I've heard the back and forth about how employees at fast food establishments would incur less productivity time if they were to actually take the time to prepare our food the way that it is advertised; and I understand how that could become a hindrance. It is food that is intended to be served fast, after all; so it would take longer for orders to be completed and get back to customers. We all know what kind of problems that would create.
All I'm saying is a that a little authenticity would be nice every now and then; at least to the point where it doesn't look like they spent more time on the sloppiness of their presentation rather than the care and consideration that one would come to expect of anyone in this line of business. There are exceptions, of course. I've known a Sonic location or two to have gotten their act together for the most part. Interestingly enough, this may be why we see more people going to restaurants that sell some of the same items that certain fast food establishments do; so I'm sure that those places won't want to hear that fast food has made a turn for better presentation.
Think about it: Outside of your favorite Mom and Pops deli, dive or burger and shakes place to sit and eat, if some of our most recognizable fast food chains actually increased the presentation of their food items by say........40%, I'd venture to guess that more people would frequent these places more than they already do. Sure places like McDonald's, Popeye's, Burger King and Taco Bell have an enormous influx of business as is; but they would be so much more prominent if they were to spruce up their presentation slightly.
That's just my vantage point on this though.
A much more egregious disparity in our culture as Americans, however is the blatant differential in prices between healthier, fresher(especially organic) foods and those questionably cheaper, often times sketchy fast food items that we consume.
Our loved ones, our community and even our own government in their own implicit ways implore that we as Americans should take better care of our bodies. They say that we should eat more fruits and vegetables. Stay away from processed foods. Avoid the trans-fats. No MSG. Stay away from this fast food that we fund consistently for you to partake of. Go green. Go organic. Eat fresher foods rather than those full of preservatives.
As crazy as it all sounds, they're right. We should do all of these things and more.
So wherein lies the issue?
Living is expensive; and that isn't a recent development. It costs to stay housed, it costs to have transportation to take advantage of, and it costs to protect our bodies from the elements. What shouldn't cost as much as it does is our health and promotion of healthier living along the lines of our food choices.
Scrutiny will exist no matter what; especially in our society. There will always be someone ready and willing to scrutinize. Criticism may likely live forever; and that is surely apparent when it comes the judgment we receive in response to our choices regarding what to eat.
I'm sure that a large amount of the time, we didn't choose that double cheeseburger with curly fries and a large soda just because we had a taste for it. Its definitely an economical issue to some degree. Keep in mind that we are talking about disparities here. That disparity will force those with a less than adequate income(which is pretty much a majority these days) to make the cheaper, quicker, more cost convenient choice rather than going for the healthier choice most times.
The price of that meal from a fast food restaurant in comparison to the price of some of our basic food group pairings such as certain foods containing the necessary grains, proteins and other healthy nourishing nutrients is considerably unbalanced; and this doesn't even delve directly into organic food yet. The prices on fresh produce or meals and processed foods made without certain preservatives continues to increase; driving families further away from what should be available at a decent rate while simultaneously driving them closer to a ill fated yet somewhat substantiated frequency of fast food consumption.
So what if you aren't one to consume a lot of fast food? You're no doubt cooking more, right? If you're anything like me or anyone that I know, you aren't necessarily always cooking with preservative free ingredients. That just isn't always "financially responsible" in frequency; especially with the ever growing difficulty to sustain some semblance of comfort in a working class society. This results in the purchase of foods that may still taste good but are laden with preservatives and additives that vary contingent upon what the item is because said foods are more affordable than those void of preservatives.
Organic food likely comes to mind right away, doesn't it?
Now don't get me wrong. This is not a stab at organic food at all. As a matter of fact, I can't get enough Silk in my diet. Absolutely love it. The issue here is that for something so wholesome, natural and good for your body, one would presume that the demand for these goods would match the availability("price") of them as well. As I have stated before, outside of some of the dishes and foods that are shelved under the "organic" label that would probably scare people away whether they were affordable or not, there is a pretty sizable list of organic foods that most of us would love to regularly partake of that are simply too high in cost to warrant anyone purchasing with any routine frequency.
You guys know the joke:
Go to your favorite supermarket with $100 and you may have a full basket; but do the same thing at an organic food market and you might walk out with a full bag.
Plastic; not paper.
Just one.
I believe there's more truth to that joke than some of us would like to acknowledge.
Also, I'm sure that most if not all of us knew this already; but store bought organic foods don't keep as long as foods processed with preservatives and additives. Therefore, these foods must be consumed a lot earlier in their shelf life than most other foods; which inherently contributes to the issue of money spent vs. money wasted when a lot of these products that are purchased for a higher price must be thrown away.
So let's even say that you're the person that loves your fast food, doesn't shy away from processed ingredients or meals or any of that but you do like to snack healthier.
The sad truth is that you may still incur the same issues illustrated previously.
Cheetos are a staple among snack food enthusiasts worldwide. Although a spotted majority may be fully aware of Barbara's brand all natural snacks, I doubt it eludes the shadow that Cheetos casts over it in popularity, though. Both snacks boast the trendy "0 grams of trans fat" indication on their respective packaging. Both boast that real cheddar and other natural ingredients are used in the making of their products.
Here are the differences, however:
A 9 1/2 ounce bag of Cheetos will run you either close to a dollar in cost or no more than $1.08(thanks a lot, 9 cent Louisiana State Tax) at most grocery stores including Walmart. Of course, it is packed with preservatives to hold intact all of the milk and cheese cultures used in the processing of the snack itself.
The same size bag of Barbara's brand snacks will cost over three times as much, however. What's even more alarming is that a size smaller in ounces will still cost close to $2.50 per bag. Of course aside from the trans fat proclamation, Barbara's snack food boasts that it has no cholesterol and is completely vegetarian.
Giggity, Vegans. Giggity Goo.
If nothing else is apparent here, what is seen is that it even costs to snack healthier. This is a huge problem. We are told to promote healthier eating in order to preserve and extend our lives. We are told that we should make healthier choices when it comes to our body and what we choose to put in it. We are then presented said healthier choices with prices that only serve to frustrate, depress and sicken us further than we already would have been with our daily regimen of fast food and preservative laced meals and snacks.
I just want a little more authenticity when it comes to choices that we are given an opportunity to make. If that sandwich is advertised in such a neatly prepared fashion, one shouldn't look puzzled at our expressed dismay when we peel back the wrapper on a sloppy, visually unappealing mess after receiving our order. We shouldn't have to perspire with painstaking angst when deciding if it would cut into our rent or utility money should we decide to make healthier food choices this pay week. If we want to promote a healthier culture, why not decrease the price on quality produce and even some of organic items filling in the shelves of our markets? At least then, everyone would have a chance to show their true nature. This way, everyone would have the opportunity to make a fair choice void of circumstances regarding cost and expense.
I think that there are many of us out there that would love the opportunity to display our authenticity. We just don't feel like we're being given a fair enough chance to do so; regardless of what mass producers, distributors and marketers would have one believe.
We want things that are as advertised. The fact that this desire even needs to be expressed consistently serves as a reminder of just how far we are from the efficient, fully aware society that we would like to believe we are.
No comments:
Post a Comment