Summary: How Income And Geographic's Affect Food Choices

How Income and Geographic’s Affect Food Choices By Eric Culver COM 150 Caroline Scott-Thomas (2009) has reported that it has been proposed that food stamps should only be allowed to be used for purchasing healthy foods in order to combat obesity amongst the poor, who are disproportionately overweight compared with American society as a whole. Some have argued that the demand for healthy foods would increase and prices would rise due to higher demands and low supply. According to Shannon N. Zenk (2009) incentives such as tax breaks can encourage markets to offer more healthy foods. Another strategy is to give cash subsidies to the poor for the purchase of fruits and vegetables. "Obesity and numerous chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes are more prevalent in low-income than higher income neighborhoods," Zenk
The limited resources for food in low-income neighborhoods causes decreased food expenditures and a lower-quality diet higher in fat and calories, leading to obesity and overweight. Lona Sandon (2008) has tips for finding healthy foods even when the pickings are slim. According to Sandon, shop early in the morning on weekends when produce shelves are freshly stocked. Frozen fruits and vegetables are a good substitute for fresh and they keep longer. Canned fruits and vegetables are also a good substitute for when fresh is not optional. For fruit, look for those that are packed in their own juices or water. If only heavy syrup is available, be sure to drain and rinse before eating to cut out added sugar. Look for low-sodium options in the canned vegetable isle. If they are not available, be sure to drain and rinse the vegetables before eating. Canned beans count as a vegetable and are a good source of protein, fiber, folate and other important vitamins and minerals, Sandon