A Diet For A New Depression

“Will Americans put on ‘recession pounds’? asks a recent article online. Suggesting that because of the rising cost of food and declining rate of the economy, the article projects more people will turn to fast food and junk food as a cheaper choice to fill the gut. And, in turn, the gut will grow.

Coining the phrase of a “Diet for a New Depression,” is Adam Drewnoski, director of the Nutrition Sciences Program at the University of Washington in Seattle.  His research shows that in economical hard times (uh, that would be now), more people consume “empty calories or foods high in sugar, saturated fats and refined grains, which are cheaper,” at the same time avoiding the “relatively expensive items” like fruit, vegetables and whole grains. He recommends rather than turning to big macs and cheezits, we should instead look at using the same foods Americans used to cope during the Great Depression in the 1930’s.

But to write off fruits and vegetables as if they are a “luxury” items is out-and-out untrue – unless you count keeping healthy and fit a luxury.  Truth be told, some produce may be out of budget, but certainly not all. Shopping at Whole Foods the other day, for example, I found bagged organic crisp fuji apples on sale — $2.99 for 3 pounds. That’s a buck a pound for awesome apples (I bought 3 bags).  Later, I found a farmer’s market selling organic baby spinach at 3 pounds for $7. And I can get dried black beans for less than a dollar a pound as well which can make more hearty black bean soup than I know what to do with.  The physical well-being that this food will afford me? Priceless, of course.

With just a hint of shopper’s savvyness, it’s not difficult to maintain or even begin a lifestyle of healthy living even during nickel and dime time. Keeping an eye out for sale items, buying what’s in season, and taking advantage of the bulk bins is a great way to save some dough . . . and avoid becoming a recession doughboy.

For the original article, read it in full here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090109/us_nm/us_financial_obesity