Gawker: There are now 5 Fast Food Places for every Grocery Store

Lanky Livingston · 08-12-11, 02:27 PM

Unbelievable! No wonder this nation is full of fatties! (Myself included)

http://gawker.com/5830394/

Jugband McGillicuddy · 08-12-11, 04:03 PM

I don't think obesity in this country has nearly as much to do with grocery store/to fast food store as you might think. I think it's more parents working 9-10 hour days to make ends meet, ridiculous commutes, and having to get the kids to practice in the evenings. Who has time to cook a nice meal every night? Seriously. Anyone?

Lanky Livingston · 08-12-11, 05:18 PM

Not to bag on you hog, but you can cook a "nice meal" in under 20 minutes.

MikeSr619 · 08-12-11, 05:31 PM

the convenience of NOT having to worry about cooking on top of every other stress in your life is a big part of it. when im done working, working out, taking the dog for a walk, feeding him, taking a shower, doing chores i dont want to go "ok, lets take 20 min to cook" when I can just grab somethign on the way home.

good for me? no, but im tired.

Lanky Livingston · 08-12-11, 05:57 PM

There's ways around that also - make a bunch of food on Sunday, then you have it all week. For example, I like to grill a bunch of chicken for the week and then eat it in my lunches and dinners for the week.

MikeSr619 · 08-12-11, 06:59 PM

well aint you just the smart one!

Jugband McGillicuddy · 08-12-11, 07:18 PM

Yeah, because when you've busted your ass all week, and finally get two days to stop, the first thing you want to do (well, after you get done cutting grass and cleaning the house) is make a week's worth of meals.

I'm sorry, but I do take some level of exception to the idea that people are fat because they're lazy. Sure, that's true in some cases, maybe even most. But not all. Not by a longshot.

Lanky Livingston · 08-12-11, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeSr619

well aint you just the smart one!

Haha, I'm busy too. I hate making lunches in the morning, and cooking at night. I hate doing dishes. Throw a bunch of chicken breasts on the grill reduces a lot of things - time cooking and also dishes! Anyway, it was just a helpful suggestion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by honorary_hog

Yeah, because when you've busted your ass all week, and finally get two days to stop, the first thing you want to do (well, after you get done cutting grass and cleaning the house) is make a week's worth of meals.

I'm sorry, but I do take some level of exception to the idea that people are fat because they're lazy. Sure, that's true in some cases, maybe even most. But not all. Not by a longshot.

I was not suggesting people are fat because they are lazy, although that is probably a significant contributor in a lot of situations. I am suggesting that its a LOT easier to just grab some Micky D's instead of preparing a healthy, thought out meal, simply because Mickey D's is everywhere, whereas grocery stores aren't (as pointed out in the article).

I also believe cooking is not the daunting task you are making it out to be. There are lots of ways to solve the problem - a crock pot is another one. Throw a roast and some vegetables in the crock pot before you leave in the morning on low. Bam, fully cooked, awesome dinner when you get home with little to no effort.

Lanky Livingston · 08-12-11, 07:33 PM

Let me be clear - I wasn't trying to offend anyone with this article. Clearly fast food is terrible for us, although they are getting better with healthy choices on the menus and what not - this is unarguable fact. It is also much more readily available than food at the grocery store, which is also fact. Just throwing it out there, that this may be why we as a society are fat, with obesity rates that increase almost daily!

Mrs.Goaldeje · 08-12-11, 10:28 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of fast food places is due to demand, rather than people using them because they are there. As people have said, it is hard to discipline yourself to make a meal after working all day. I personally find it very difficult at times, although I (or Goaldeje) make dinner almost every night and pack a lunch every day. One of my main struggles is that I come home starving after eating lunch in just a few minutes. Normally, I like healthy foods, but I feel like snacking on whatever I can find.