[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by waner

I am sure there are people who have done more research into this but from a purely anedoctal and personal level I can say that price has little to no effect on my eating habits at all.

I am fat, not obese (I think), but my weight doesn't stop me from doing anything or affect my job. I make enough money that cost of groceries doesn't really play a factor in what I do or don't buy.

I don't eat healthy because healthy food tastes like crap and stopping at Subway, McDonalds, ordering pizza etc. is much easier than planning, organizaing and making a "real" meal. I don't like fruits and veggies, not a fan of chicken, rice is awful.

If the price of chips went up I would just pay the extra cost. If fruits and veggies were cheaper they still taste awful to me. I guess they could make fast food ridiculously expensive and there would be a point where I would be forced to change my eating but that seems pretty doubtful to me.

Edit: maybe I missed it and the point is just to get money from me to supplement the potential money I will cost the system?

So you are essentially lazy and have been trained to enjoy salty, fatty foods with glutenous proportions in a pursuit of a temporary hedonistic lifestyle. As someone who has seen the end result of your lifestyle (think no legs from diabetes) and sees how much that the disease of obesity costs the healthcare system and people's quality of life (you are likely obese by the way - and if you miraculously aren't, you will be), make some healthy food. Buy a slow cooker, get some lentils, some quality spice and herbs, develop your palate. It won't be as momentarily satisfying as a McDonald's Hamburger, but it will feel a lot better in the coming weeks and years... for the rest of your life actually. Take the small steps, order a salad at McDonald's, don't douse it in dressing and don't get the one with a tonne of deep fried chicken on it. The thing is it isn't your fault that you enjoy those foods, it is how evolution and biology has trained you to be, your body needs salt, it needs sugar and historically these have always been in short supply. This is the only time in our history that these needs are in excess and your body doesn't know this, it just craves more and more.

I challenge you to plan your meals for a week, breakfast, lunch and supper... look at the costs of eating healthy, see how much money you save. See how much better you feel after a couple weeks. Your body will crave soft drinks and salt, but don't give into the temptation.

I know when I stopped drinking all soda a couple years ago, I would literally crave the sugar or the taste of sweetness, but after I got over the cravings, I realized that I didn't even enjoy the taste of the sweetness, it was nauseating to me as to how much I ingested. Since then I have lost roughly 40 pounds and feel much, much better with myself and with my life. I am not slim by any stretch but I just feel better. Heck I don't look anything like my passport or my drivers license. That is a source of pride for me.

Edit: Buy some spaghetti squash, get some tomatoes, onions, basal, garlic and some assorted spices, plus whatever else you like. Bake the shaghetti squash in the oven, saute the food with some olive oil, combine them and make an absolutely delicious meal. It will taste great! Have a side of some spinach salad with some pecans and strawberries. You can have a great, filling meal for less than it would cost to buy a meal at the local Burger King.