Run for your lives! Here come the vegans.

[bert_is_evil]

To get back to the original topic, I'm more than happy for foods to be labelled with a traffic light sticker for people who are too uneducated to know what is going to make them fat and what isn't. In fact I'd much prefer it to having to pay for medical treatment for a bunch of people with diabetes and other obesity related illness's. I really don't see why people would have a problem with it, why would you care if your bacon has a red dot on the packet?

I only skimmed the article but I didn't see any mention of enforced veganism.

[Hitcher]

Did putting warning notices on packets and banning point-of-sale advertising reduce cigarette consumption?

Will putting "traffic light" labels on foods stop obesity?

More severe legislation and punitive controls on food consumption will surely follow.

[007XX]

Will putting "traffic light" labels on foods stop obesity?
.

Nope, but running after their food for a while ought to help!

Obesity stems (in my opinion, of course) from a number of complacent attitudes:
-food is too readily available: jump in your car to the supermarket...where is the good ol' Mammoth hunting gone?

-daily occupations are limited in the way of exercise. The harduous task seems to turn the knobb on the coffee machine in the morning.

-Foods loaded with sugar and preservatives are often cheaper and more convenient than more wholesome products.

It is a constant battle against the convenience market to stay healthy and fit, deciding against the donut in favor for the healthier (but maybe as flavoursome to some) apple...

Bottom line is: it comes down to the individual to be educated and mindful enough of their own health to make the right choices.
No one is pushing fast food down our gobs...and no government will ever be able to force people being responsible for themselves.

[jazbug5]

I really don't know that it is so expensive to eat less processed foods. My mum used to drill this into us every time we went supermarket shopping. I can barely approach the biscuit aisle without twitching!
Dearest ma was brought up po', and imparted her lessons unto us well; cheap, good food and look after your feet. And teeth.
People seem to have this weird idea that you have to buy these expensive, packaged 'health foods' (though some of 'em are quite nice), when you can so easily get a few basic ingredients and cook something better for far less cash.
'Packaged food' is still an expletive in my mother's house. Bless her.

That reminds me- when I was last up home, we were chatting about slow food- worth reading about if you care about these things.

[Ocean1]

Did putting warning notices on packets and banning point-of-sale advertising reduce cigarette consumption?

Not as much as taxing the bejesus out of tobaco products.
Which I wouldn't have a problem with if it was health-targeted and ring-fenced.

no government will ever be able to force people being responsible for themselves.

Sure they can, they can require them to pay for health insurance appropriate to their lifestyle, or die. They'd find that politically untenable, but they might tax the bejesus out of unhealthy food, which again I wouldn't have a problem with if it was health-targeted etc...

[007XX]

I really don't know that it is so expensive to eat less processed foods. My mum used to drill this into us every time we went supermarket shopping. I can barely approach the biscuit aisle without twitching!
Dearest ma was brought up po', and imparted her lessons unto us well; cheap, good food and look after your feet. And teeth.
People seem to have this weird idea that you have to buy these expensive, packaged 'health foods' (though some of 'em are quite nice), when you can so easily get a few basic ingredients and cook something better for far less cash.
'Packaged food' is still an expletive in my mother's house. Bless her.

That reminds me- when I was last up home, we were chatting about slow food- worth reading about if you care about these things.

Oh trust me, your mum and I would get on like a house on fire.

My son having ADHD, I have decided from earlier on to help him via good nutrition and discipline, rather than drugs...

at 10, he goes to all our shopping trips with me now, and is constantly checking the sugar levels, as well as fat and carbs contents. He is not ruled by it, but certainly is knowledgeable on it and makes the decisions that influence his behaviour and health...

But as an answer about the price comparison, for example: look at the price of frozen vegies and the price of fresh vegies. Obviously added to the convenience differences...Trust me, it is not about expensive healthy prepackaged products!

[Ocean1]

'Packaged food' is still an expletive in my mother's house. Bless her.

That reminds me- when I was last up home, we were chatting about slow food- worth reading about if you care about these things.

Bless her. I do like to have my cake and eat it though. I don't have time to cook the meals I'd like to, but sometimes it's difficult to find the makings for a quick meal without compromising quality.

[007XX]

Sure they can, they can require them to pay for health insurance appropriate to their lifestyle, or die. They'd find that politically untenable, but they might tax the bejesus out of unhealthy food, which again I wouldn't have a problem with if it was health-targeted etc...

I thought that was more or less already the case?

Ie: my boss had a 9.6 cholesterol level and got refused insurance because of it. had to reduce it to a more acceptable level of 6 to be able to get his insurance.
But do you think that it stops him from eating chocolate and the likes? and I'm not talking about a couple of squares, but demolishing a whole 160g tablet in one sitting...But then again, the guy is a moron

What my point was: you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!

[Mr Merde]

All this talk of taking the healthy option is great but the goal posts keep getting moved.

Case in point.

My partners sister manages a number of tuck shops and such at a few schools. They have taken those foods off that are obviously not the most nutricious for the students.

She is rather incensed that it has been decided, by those who decide whats best for us, that they can no longer sell bananas as they contain too much natural sugar.

WTF. Apart from the natural sugar, as opposed to processed, bananas are a rich source of other essential nutriants.

[Ocean1]

I thought that was more or less already the case?

Ie: my boss had a 9.6 cholesterol level and got refused insurance because of it. had to reduce it to a more acceptable level of 6 to be able to get his insurance.
But do you think that it stops him from eating chocolate and the likes? and I'm not talking about a couple of squares, but demolishing a whole 160g tablet in one sitting...But then again, the guy is a moron

What my point was: you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!

Yup, you can't subjugate the prerogatives of evolution, at any price. He does still however have access to quite a high (and very expensive) level of publicly funded health service.

[Grahameeboy]

All this talk of taking the healthy option is great but the goal posts keep getting moved.

Case in point.

My partners sister manages a number of tuck shops and such at a few schools. They have taken those foods off that are obviously not the most nutricious for the students.

She is rather incensed that it has been decided, by those who decide whats best for us, that they can no longer sell bananas as they contain too much natural sugar.

WTF. Apart from the natural sugar, as opposed to processed, bananas are a rich source of other essential nutriants.

That is crazy cause a not so ripe banana contains starch so low glycemic and then as it yellows turns to sugar so a really yellow banana is healthy, would be slow burning calories rather than a quick spike which causes hunger later.

[007XX]

Yup, you can't subjugate the prerogatives of evolution, at any price. He does still however have access to quite a high (and very expensive) level of publicly funded health service.

Yes, we weren't down that troublesome road...

All we ended up being advised was Ritalin, which I VERY reluctantly tried for 3 weeks, and it actually made him worse...

I was told this could be the case, so was not disappointed. I prefer the natural alternative, and time has proven my theory and approach successful, not just from my perspective, but also as ascertained by the school and the health professionals...

i guess my son and I were one of the lucky ones as he does not have a very acute case of ADHD.

[Dilligaf]

My son having ADHD, I have decided from earlier on to help him via good nutrition and discipline, rather than drugs...

:

You know it's interesting that you raise this issue... I help out at a boys group where 50% of the kids there are down as being ADHD. Even in my previous life as a teacher I always had suspicions that many (not all okay) but many of the cases of ADD/ADHD kids were a lack of a clip 'round the ear. But after seeing what these same ADHD kids put in their bodies I am convinced that diet has a part to play too.
Can someone please explain why as a parent of a ADHD child, one would think it's a good ideato give your little darling an ENERGY drink?!?!? GAH! Every week we see these kids arrive (8-10 year olds mind - not teenagers) and the utter crap that their parents let them put in their growing bodies really makes me :slap:

[Grahameeboy]

I thought that was more or less already the case?

Ie: my boss had a 9.6 cholesterol level and got refused insurance because of it. had to reduce it to a more acceptable level of 6 to be able to get his insurance.
But do you think that it stops him from eating chocolate and the likes? and I'm not talking about a couple of squares, but demolishing a whole 160g tablet in one sitting...But then again, the guy is a moron

What my point was: you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!

I happily demolish a 500g bar in 20 minutes but have a high metabolism.

Obesity is in some cases generic, like many other vices and whilst it seems easy to do excercise, for many it is due to either their upbringing or their experience of sports at school.

Some people have thyroid problems which does not help.

But for many it is not so difficult to cut back on food, go for a regular walk and still have a 'treat' day.

[Dilligaf]

Obesity is in some cases generic,.

Hahahahahah yes indeed!!!! Got to be the funniest freudian slip in a while and oh so true too