Bad food!? Eat like the English say the BBC!

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**mattyrm**

I liked this story, because it can follow on nicely from the "too fat to fight" thread ongoing, and It helps to prove my point in a long standing argument I have been having with my missus, whereby I claimed that giving poor people less money, is actually the nicest thing to do for them, and she says we have a responsibility to provide for them. Every man woman and child in Scotland now gets £1800 a year more public money than those south of the border, and what has this achieved? Fatter, drunker, unhealthier people.

If your skint, you have no money for niceties, beer, smokes, and gak food. And dont start with the "unhealthy food is cheaper" nonsense because it isnt. I have been training hard the last few weeks and when Im training I stick to a 1800 calorie diet, high in tins of fish, fat free milk, protein bars and beans/grains. I think my grocery bill for a whole week of healthy eating is about 15 quid. When my day off (Saturday) rolls around, I spend almost that much on a tub of ice cream, a pizza, a baguette and a pack of oreo's.

Anyway, As far as I can tell, if you throw money at poor people, you aren't helping them. If you give £10,000 to a typical "poor" white trash citizen in the UK (single parent that drinks 100 units a week and smokes 30 fags a day, eats garbage and microwave meals) and has been on the dole for 8 years, lives in a council house and has 6 kids, would they say "Oh I say old chap, I shall invest this in stocks and put the children through a fine educational establishment" or so they say "nice one, ill spend it on fags and cans"

I digress.. The Story.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15561501

People in England eat more fruit and vegetables and less salt and fat, reducing heart disease and some cancers, say Oxford University experts.

A tax on fatty and salty foods and subsidies on fruit and vegetables could help close the diet divide, they add. The British Heart Foundation says the study shows inequalities in the nations that must be addressed by authorities. Death rates for heart disease and cancer are higher in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland than in England, according to official figures.

Diet is known to be an important factor. Last year researchers estimated that more than 30,000 lives a year would be saved if everyone in the UK followed dietary guidelines on fat, salt, fibre, and fruit and vegetables.

Now, the same experts - from the Department of Public Health at the University of Oxford - have turned their attention to differences within the UK.

They looked at whether deaths from heart disease, stroke and 10 cancers linked with poor diet could be prevented in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, if everyone switched to the typical English diet.

Lead researcher Dr Peter Scarborough of the Health Promotion Research Group said: "The chief dietary factor that is driving this mortality gap is fruit and vegetables.

The researchers looked at deaths from heart disease, stroke and 10 cancers in all four UK countries from 2007 to 2009
They estimated calorie intake and 10 components in the diet - including fruit and veg intake, fat, and salt - in all four UK countries
The data showed people in Scotland and Northern Ireland ate more saturated fat and salt, and fewer fruit and vegetables, every day than people in England, while differences between England and Wales were smaller

Over the three years studied there were nearly 22,000 excess deaths in total. Scotland had 15,719, Wales 3,723 and Northern Ireland 2,329
Changing the diet to a typical English one would save about 11,000 of these lives - or just under 4,000 a year - with the biggest impact in Wales and Northern Ireland
"Consumption of fruit and vegetables in Scotland is around 12% lower than in England, and consumption in Northern Ireland is about 20% lower than in England. Consumption levels in Wales are similar.

"Other important factors are salt and saturated fat consumption, which are lower in England than in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland."

The researchers believe one way to tackle the "mortality gap" is to bring in food taxes.

Denmark recently introduced a tax on foods high in saturated fat, while other countries are toying with the idea of taxing fizzy drinks or high-calorie foods.

Dr Scarborough told the BBC that while the study did not consider the effectiveness of policies and interventions, the area should be investigated.

He said: "Junk food taxes and subsidies of fruit and veg could be a very important tool in addressing health inequalities in the UK."

Victoria Taylor, senior dietician at the British Heart Foundation, said: "This research isn't about bragging rights to the English or tit-for-tat arguments about how healthy our traditional dishes might be.

"This is a useful exercise in comparing influential differences in diet across the UK, namely calorie intake and fruit and veg consumption. However, saying the rest of the UK should follow England's lead to cut heart deaths isn't a foolproof solution; a quarter of English adults are obese and only 30% eat their five-a-day.

"The findings have thrown up some clear inequalities in the four nations and our governments must do everything they can to create environments that help people make healthy choices."

So, for debate I shall ask this one question, that seems to me to be utterly unsolvable.

How do you propose the government "do everything they can to create environments that help people make healthy choices" when clearly throwing money at the problem doesn't do anything.

How do you get lazy people that aren't interested in exercise to do some!? Hire some Ex Marines to burst into peoples homes at 6am and take them for a forced march at gunpoint?

Answers on a postcard.

**Amaya**

At 4 am

LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS

MOVE YOUR ASS MAGGOT

Just be glad you're not as fat as America.

**Mr. Burning**

Designated Food shops for Benefits claimants.

Claimants get food stamps or a pre paid card, they can then shop in designated outlets for specific food stuffs only. Think Supermarkets own brand lines. Fruit and veg score double on the points!

Scotland not to recveive a single penny of support from south of the border.

Ditto for Wales, I can put up with NZ lamb thanks very much!

Sweets and crisps put behind a counter. Only after a full medical should you be able to buy anything like this (if you pass it!).

Fatties publically shamed in big poster campaigns.

**Ensis Ferrae**

Well, for starters governments (I'm talking my own American one as well here) can force those on the dole (welfare for those not on the up with slang) to get a fething job! Even if it's menial, skill-less work... things that are typically done in America by the illegals.

Basically, its for your welfare, or gtfo of the country, or die.

**mattyrm**

Mr. Burning wrote:Designated Food shops for Benefits claimants.

Claimants get food stamps or a pre paid card, they can then shop in designated outlets for specific food stuffs only. Think Supermarkets own brand lines. Fruit and veg score double on the points!

See, this is actually a good one.

Half of benefits could be given in stamps, and the stamps can be used for food at a place full of healthy, low fat foods and produce. But the store doesnt sell chav food, such as goodfellas pizza, microwave meals, turkey twizzlers and frij milkshakes!

Genius I tells ya!

**Ensis Ferrae**

mattyrm wrote:
Mr. Burning wrote:Designated Food shops for Benefits claimants.

Claimants get food stamps or a pre paid card, they can then shop in designated outlets for specific food stuffs only. Think Supermarkets own brand lines. Fruit and veg score double on the points!

See, this is actually a good one.

Half of benefits could be given in stamps, and the stamps can be used for food at a place full of healthy, low fat foods and produce. But the store doesnt sell chav food, such as goodfellas pizza, microwave meals, turkey twizzlers and frij milkshakes!

Genius I tells ya!

that could very well be a start, but as those of us in the military (or formerly of the military).. healthy eating alone isn't enough, people need to get up and move.

**mattyrm**

Ensis Ferrae wrote:
mattyrm wrote:
Mr. Burning wrote:Designated Food shops for Benefits claimants.

Claimants get food stamps or a pre paid card, they can then shop in designated outlets for specific food stuffs only. Think Supermarkets own brand lines. Fruit and veg score double on the points!

See, this is actually a good one.

Half of benefits could be given in stamps, and the stamps can be used for food at a place full of healthy, low fat foods and produce. But the store doesnt sell chav food, such as goodfellas pizza, microwave meals, turkey twizzlers and frij milkshakes!

Genius I tells ya!

that could very well be a start, but as those of us in the military (or formerly of the military).. healthy eating alone isn't enough, people need to get up and move.

Way ahead of you!

The shop where you have to redeem your stamps, is at the peak of a 2000ft climb, in the closest foothills near the town, there are no transport links, and the stamps come stuck to a 20kg dumbell that you have to carry on a chain round your neck.

**Ensis Ferrae**

mattyrm wrote:

Way ahead of you!

The shop where you have to redeem your stamps, is at the peak of a 2000ft climb, in the closest foothills near the town, there are no transport links, and the stamps come stuck to a 20kg dumbell that you have to carry on a chain round your neck.

you are a cruel cruel man... What about those who are on some sort of medical compensation, ie, they were wounded whilst in service, or have a genetic disorder that could not be avoided etc. ??

**Da Boss**

I lived up in the North for a while, and the Ulster fry, while delicious, is pretty grotesquely greasy.
However, it's so bloody cold up there that I can see why fatty food is more attractive. I reckon it's more than just that, it's a culture thing too.

**AustonT**

I have frequently argued that one of the things pushing the decline of America is hunger, both literal and metaphorical. My wife's family was shocked that my mother (now earning six figures a year) told them that we hunted and gardened not for sport or a hobby but for sustainment because we were just that poor. It's not so much a feel good success story as a warning of how close the bleeding edge really is.
Welfare programs diminish that hunger and survival instinct that comes with it. If it were realistic to sponsor community gardens and sustainment I would support it, in it's leave I would rather see food subsidies than the dole.

**Cheesecat**

Da Boss wrote:I lived up in the North for a while, and the Ulster fry, while delicious, is pretty grotesquely greasy.
However, it's so bloody cold up there that I can see why fatty food is more attractive. I reckon it's more than just that, it's a culture thing too.

Canada is colder than the US yet we have less fatties.

**Kilkrazy**

No-one ever saw a fat rich person, or a skinny poor person. The best way to make poor fat people thin is to give them loads of money.

**mattyrm**

Cheesecat wrote:
Da Boss wrote:I lived up in the North for a while, and the Ulster fry, while delicious, is pretty grotesquely greasy.
However, it's so bloody cold up there that I can see why fatty food is more attractive. I reckon it's more than just that, it's a culture thing too.

Canada is colder than the US yet we have less fatties.

Well, in Norway they give you Arctic rations with twice the amount of calories in, and shivering burns calories, as does slogging through the snow. I think its factually correct to say that yes, cold does indeed contribute positively to your body weight!

**Cheesecat**

http://calorielab.com/news/2006/08/11/lose-the-electric-blanket-and-lose-the-weight/

**JEB_Stuart**

As always Matt your eloquence has made yet another compelling argument...that and your epic mustache. In all seriousness though, I noticed what I would deem quite a bit of abuse of the public purse during my numerous travels in the UK, and have seen even more here in the US. That being said, I am a sincere believer that there are people who just need a helping hand, but that need is tarnished by those who simply want a free ride.

**mattyrm**

JEB_Stuart wrote:As always Matt your eloquence has made yet another compelling argument...that and your epic mustache. In all seriousness though, I noticed what I would deem quite a bit of abuse of the public purse during my numerous travels in the UK, and have seen even more here in the US. That being said, I am a sincere believer that there are people who just need a helping hand, but that need is tarnished by those who simply want a free ride.

True enough old chap, I'm well aware of the happy medium, it just wouldnt be as amusing to say so.

Oh and thanks for the chuck up by the way, im sad to report I am now clean shaven as my missus loathes the tash. :(

**JEB_Stuart**

mattyrm wrote: True enough old chap, I'm well aware of the happy medium, it just wouldnt be as amusing to say so.

Well when you put it that way...All people pilfering the public purse should put in the stocks for a week, flogged and then marched from London to Inverness with a tome detailing every French defeat around their neck. (quite heavy that book would be

) That should shame, punish and exercise those undeserving wretches.

mattyrm wrote: Oh and thanks for the chuck up by the way, im sad to report I am now clean shaven as my missus loathes the tash. :(

Thank the Lord for No Shave November!

**Mr. Burning**

Benefits cheats should have to, by law open their house for a massive garage sale. th eproceeds of which go to the public coffers, or direct to chraity.

Better yet charity shops should be allowed into benefit claimant houses to choose what they want.

Compulsory daily exercise for fatties. Employs moderatly fit people to literally whip people into shape. Fitness and employment in one fell swoop.

TV signals blocked for persistant offenders and or spoliers revealed for the Jeremey Kyle show.

**mattyrm**

Mr. Burning wrote:spoliers revealed for the Jeremey Kyle show.

Aiiiieeeeee!!!

**Mr. Burning**

mattyrm wrote:
Mr. Burning wrote:spoliers revealed for the Jeremey Kyle show.

Aiiiieeeeee!!!

You got to hit em where it hurts....

Special decoder to watch holyoaks, pay to watch and starve, gotta give en some choice.

**Albatross**

I particularly liked:

BBC wrote:This research isn't about bragging rights to the English or tit-for-tat arguments about how healthy our traditional dishes might be.

They obviously hadn't reckoned upon our very own mattyrm!

**obsidianaura**

I think it comes from a lack of skills too, you can save a lot of money if you can cook.

The trick is to buy food in bulk cook it all at once and then freeze it.

It may be tedious but it works out significantly cheaper.

I think educating people in how to make money go further would really help.

Trouble with being poor means that everything costs more.

Renting a place costs a lot more than buying, especially through an agency (£220 it cost me to renew my rent in my place for a year so that’s £7400 (($11850)) per year going nowhere! Grr).

Interest on loans, paying monthly instead of annually for things like insurance and utilities.

Being able to buy an economical car and to save on fuel and tax. I think someone worked out the cost of being poor was £2000 a year but I can’t find the info on it…

Crazy stuff!

**AustonT**

Mr.Burning wrote: Compulsory daily exercise for fatties. Employs moderatly fit people to literally whip people into shape. Fitness and employment in one fell swoop.

like 1984?

**Mannahnin**

Do you know how many calories a good Two Minutes' Hate burns off?