Just some questions

[BeeBee]

Do you think that the junk in processed foods are greatly responsible for obesity? If so, are you abstaining from processed foods and eating whole and healthy foods instead? What do you think the draw to processed foods is?

[roxiestone]

I think that it is easier to get calorically dense foods, such as junk foods. There was an interesting article in the NYT a couple of months ago about this very thing. It talked about how the farm bill is in some ways responsible for the growth in supply and demand for processed foods and because of subsidies, it is cheaper to buy food that contains processed ingredients. I don't know if I agree with the politics behind it, but it was interesting to note. Bottom line, it is cheaper and easier for most Americans to buy and eat food that isn't good for them.

I am abstaining from processed food and trying to eat whole, identifiable foods, locally grown, if possible.

[Afraid2Succeed]

i despise processed foods ideationally, but i must admit i do find some of them quite delicious, like twinkies and oreos.

its a shame our convenience stores are full of processed foods, with maybe a few pieces of decayed fruit on the counter.

i think obesity is a combination of upbringing, social class, culture, and sometimes mental disorders. the food industry is complicit in marketing unhealthy foods to children (and adults) and making really crap products.

[Pony]

I have to think on this one. I do think that processed foods have a hand in the problem, but are not the total problem. But you have raised a good question and I need to think on it today and get back to you.

Hugs

[stringer belle]

to make a blanket statement (and some could argue an unfair generalization) about processed foods, i would say that yes, processed foods have high amounts of unhealthy preservatives, additives, various chemicals, sodium, and other things in them. now, this isn't ALL processed foods, but a great deal of them -- and generally speaking, some of those most popular ones in our country.

it's funny, most grocery stores, particularly the large supermarket ones owned by large corporations, are set up pretty strategically in terms of getting you to buy lots of crap that you don't need and isn't that good for you. one good key to shopping healthfully in wal-marts and the like is.. shop towards the outside mostly, avoiding the inner aisles where all the crap is.

i love kroger's organic section, trader joes and whole foods, and i hit up a lot of farmers markets (when they're in season). for me, it pretty much goes.. if i put a bunch of doodie IN my body -- well, then i feel like doodie.