It Was A Big Weekend by Pat Conrad MD
Back when I had my own website “Doctors For Freedom”, I always dedicated my monthly November entry to celebrating all that is fun about U.S. obesity. Okay, so I didn’t get to it in time for this Thanksgiving, but after mixing all those ridiculous food groups, that nap wasn’t going to take itself.
According to one study, the obesity rate in the 2-4 age range dropped in 31 states. The CDC (federally funded) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (ditto), inferred that this improvement was in part due to WIC (a federal program), but didn’t specify what happened in in the other non-improved 19 states. To make up for the oversight, the article name drops Michelle Obama (wife of a federal employee, and herself a major advocate for federal programs) because she too opposes toddler porkiness. The best state was Utah (8.2% obesity) while Virginia (20% chub rate) was the worst, oddly so since it is next to D.C. from whence all good things flow. The average obesity rate is 14.5%, up from 8.2% in 1992.
But hold on – another study that prompted First Lady O’ to proclaim being “thrilled at the progress we’ve made over the last few years in obesity rates among our youngest Americans” actually said they got fatter. “Published online in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics, [it] used the same data source as the CDC, but analyzed obesity rates over a different timeframe. It found increases in obesity for children age 2 to 19, and a marked rise in the percentage who were severely obese.” This study shows an increase to a higher obesity rate of 17.3%. So pick your study.
According to stateofobesity.org, the adult obesity rate now exceeds 30% in half the states. In between going back for thirds and loosening my belt, I tried to find Medicare performance/quality measures and payment penalties for specifically for increased obesity rates. No such luck, and I’d be grateful if anyone could direct me to them. Of course there are penalties for not controlling hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes to approved levels, so …
What it all boils – or fries – down to is that we are a fat society, and after this past weekend I damn sure need to hit the treadmill. But it’s not my fault if my patients don’t do the same. And even as all the larger forces are conspiring to make it my fault, we have this tasty bunch, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance and their “Guidelines for therapists who treat fat clients.” The way this cookie really crumbles is that there should be no federal role, no subsidized advocacy, no low-cost food, no mandated do-gooderism, and no associated biscuit toxicity penalties from the federal government. And I didn’t make you take that last slice of pie.
Hi, remember you had posted my food list a couple years ago, in concern about the Food Stamp Challange. I have started a new list now that some time has passed by.
It will be interesting to see the differences in what we purchased, and the cost per day to eat.
I previously posted the information with my back story, and combined grocery list for 2 people for 365 days May 21, 2013 through May 20, 2014 and the result of $4.00 per day per person to eat.
I have started the new analysis on October 2, 2016
UPDATE ON FOOD COSTS
Grocery Shopping Trips starting October 2, 2016
Oct – 2, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30,31
Nov- 6, 7, 13, 17, 20, 23, 25, 26, 28
FOOD COST = $505.80
THE FOOD IS FOR 2 PEOPLE.
IF WE DO NOT GO SHOPPING AGAIN UNTIL DECEMBER 4
THEN OCT 2 – DEC 3 = 63 DAYS
$505.80/ 63 DAYS / 2 PEOPLE
=$4.014 PER DAY PER PERSON
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combined list for the 20 grocery store visits below
DAIRY
EGGS – LARGE GRADE A – 138 EGGS
COTTAGE CHEESE – 3 CONTAINERS – 16 OUNCES PER CONTAINER
BUTTER – 7 POUNDS
SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE- 5 PAKS – 8 OUNCES PER PAK
CHEDDAR CHEESE – 1 CHUNK PAK – 8 OUNCES PER PAK
BLUE CHEESE – CRUMBLED 2 CONTAINERS – 4 OUNCES PER
MILK – 3 CONTAINERS – HALF GALLON PER CONTAINER
CREAM CHEESE – 2 PAKS – 8 OUNCES PER PAK
ICE CREAM – SUNDAE NUT FOOTBALL- 1 BOX – 1.5 QT PER BOX
ICEA CREAM – CHOCOLAT ALMOD CHIP – 1 BOX – 1.5 QT PER BOX
AMERICAN CHEESE – 1 PAK – 12 OUNCES PER PAK
CHEESE SPREAD – PORT WINE – 2 CONTAINERS – 6.5 OUNCES EACH
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MEAT
RUMP ROAST – 3.49 POUNDS
HAM STEAKS – 5 HAM STEAKS – 8 OUNCES PER HAM STEAK
TURNEY BREAST – FROZEN – 4.43 POUNDS
TURKEY – WHOLE – FRESH – 13.85 POUNDS
BEEF LOIN PORTERHOUSE STEAK – FRESH – 0.97 POUNDS
NY STRIP STEAKS – BONELESS – FRESH – 8 STEAKS – 4.51 POUNDS
GROUND BEEF – 80% LEAN – 2.87 POUNDS
SPLIT CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIBS – 4.99 POUNDS
CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS – 10.47 POUNDS
HOT DOGS – 2 PAKS OF 8 – 14 OUNCES PER PAK
HOT DOGS – 1 PAK OF 8 – 12 OUNCES PER PAK
BACON – 4 POUNDS
CHICKEN SAUSAGE – 1 PAK – 12 OUNCES PER PAK
FRIED CHICKEN – PREPARED HOT – 4 PIECES – 0.38 POUNDS
CHICKEN LIVERS – 2 CONTAINERS – 20 OUNCES PER CONTAINER
ITALIAN SAUSAGE – 3.15 POUNDS
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FISH
TUNA FISH – 1 CAN – 5 OUNCES PER CAN
SARDINES – 1 CAN – 3.75 OUNCES PER CAN
COCONUT SHRIMP – FRZEN – 1 BOX – 18 OZ PER BOX
SMOKED SALMON – 0.27 POUNDS
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DELI MEATS
SALAMI – 1.545 POUNDS
PROVOLONE – 0.565 POUNDS
LIVERWURST – 1.970 POUNDS
BOLOGNA – 0.510 POUNDS
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FRUIT
BANANAS – 20 BANANAS – 7.87 POUNDS
GRAPES – RED – 2.08 POUNDS
ORANGES – 10 ORANGES – 4 POUNDS
PRUNES – SUNMAID – 1 CONTAINER – 16 OZ PER CONTAINER
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VEGETABLES
SALAD – FRESH EXPRESS – 2 BAGS – 12 OUNCES PER BAG
SALAD – DOLE – 1 BAG – 5 OUNCES PER BAG
POTATOS – 5 POUNDS
SWEET POTATOS – 5 POUNDS
ONIONS – 6 POUNDS
GREEN PEPPERS – 7 GREEN PEPPERS – 3.28 POUNDS
RED PEPPERS – 5 RED PEPPERS – 2.33 POUNDS
CUCUMBERS – 9 CUCUMBERS – 1.86 POUNDS
CELERY – 1 PRODUCE STALK
MUSHROOMS – WHOLE -1 CONTAINER 10 OZ PER CONTAINER
MUSHROOMS – WHOLE -1 CONTAINER 6 OZ PER CONTAINER
MUSHROOMS – SLICED – 8 OUNCES
PLUM TOMATOS – 8 TOMATOS – 1.64 POUNDS
GRAPE TOMATOS – 2 CONTAINERS – 1 PINT PER CONTAINER
CRUSHED TOMATOS – 3 CANS – 28 OUNCES PER CAN
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FROZEN VEGETABLES
GREEN+ RED PEPPER +ONIONN STRIPS – 2 BOXES – 12 OZ PER BOX
WHITE CORN IN BUTTER SAUCE – 1 BOX – 10 OZ PER BOX
CREAMED SPINACH – 1 BOX – 10 OZ PER BOX
NIBLETS CORN IN BUTTER SAUCE – 1 BOX – 10 OZ PER BOX
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE – 1 BOX – 9 OZ PER BOX
SWEET POTATOS – CANDIED – FROZEN – 4 BOXES – 20 OZ PER BOX
PEARL ONIONS – FROZEN – 1 BOX – 9 OUNCES PER BOX
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RICE
RICE – WHITE – 1 CONTAINERS – 16 OUNCES PER CONTAINER
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BREAD
WHITE BREAD – 1 LOAF – 20 OUNCES PER LOAF
WHITE BREAD – 1 LOAF – 18 OUNCES PER LOAF
WHITE BREAD – 2 LOAVES 24 OUNCES PER LOAF
RYE BREAD – 6 LOAVES – 16 OUNCES PER LOAF
RAISON CINNOMON BREAD – 3 LOAVES – 16 OUNCES PER LOAF
OLIVE LOAF BREAD – BAKERY FRESH – 3 LOAVES – 10 OZ PER LOAF
ITALIAN BREAD – BAKERY FRESH – 2 LOAVES – 16 OZ PER LOAF
BAGLES – 2 PAKS OF 6 BAGLES EACH – 20 OUNCES PER PAK
BAGLES – BAKERY FRESH – 1 BAG OF 6
HOT DOG ROLLS – 3 PAKS OF 8 – 12 OUNCES PER PAK
GARLIC BREAD – FRESH – 1 LOAF – 10 OUNCES PER LOAF
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CEREAL
APPLE JACKS – CEREAL – 2 BOXES – 12.2 OUNCES PER BOX
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PASTA
RAVIOLOI – CHICKED GALIC – FRESH – 2 BAGS – 10 OUNCES PER BAG
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SIDES
MACARONI SALAD – 1 CONTAINER – 16 OUNCES PER CONTAINER
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SOUP
CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP – 8 CANS – 10.5 OUNCES PER CAN
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FROZEN :: MEALS AND SNACKS AND SIDES
ELLIOS PIZZA – 2 BOXES – 9 SLICES PER BOX – 18.3 OUNCES PER BOX
FRENCH BREAD PIZZA – 1 BOX – 11.25 OUNCES
TURKEY POT PIE – 4 PIES – 16 OUNCES PER PIE
CHICKEN POT PIE – 4 PIES – 16 OUNCES PER PIE
ROASTED TURKEY FROZEN DINNER – 14 OUNCES
CHICKEN PARM FROZEN DINNER 13 OUNCES
COUNTRY FRIED CHICKEN – FROZEN DINNER – 12.3 OUNCES
MACARONI AND CHEESE – 1 BOX – 28 OUNCES PER BOX
BREAKFAT SAUSAGE LINKS – 3 BOXES – 6.4 OZ PER BOX
BREAKFAST SAUSAGE PATTIES – 3 BOXES – 6.4OZ PER BOX
ITALIAN MEATBALLS – 1 BAG – 26 OUNCES PER BAG
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SNACKS
RITZ CRACKERS – 2 BOXES – 13.7 OUNCES PER BOX
PRETZLES – 2 BOXES – 12 OUNCES PER BOX
PRETZLES – 1 BAG – 16 OUNCES PER BAG
TORTILLA CHIPS – 1 BAG – 13 OUNCES PER BAG
REESE PEANUT BUTTER CUPS – 2 BAGS – 10.5 OZ PER BAG
ALMOND JOY – 3 BAGS – 11.3 OZ PER BAG
JOLLY RANCHERS – 3 BAGS – 16 OUNCES PER BAG
PISTACHIOS – 1 BAG – 8 OUNCES PER BAG
TRISCUTS – DILL AND SALT – 1 BOX – 9 OUNCES PER BOX
TRISCUTS – OLIVE – 1 BOX – 9 OUNCES PER BOX
TRISCUTS – PEPPER AND OLIVE OIL – 1 BOX – 9 OUNCES PER BOX
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DESSERTS
CRUMB CAKE – 26 OUNCES
PECAN SANDIES – 2 PAKS – 11.3 OUNCES PER PAK
APRICOT RASPBERRY COKKIES 2 PAKS 6.75 OUNCES PER PAK
DONUTS – ENTENMANNS – 1 BOX – 15 OUNCES PER BOX
APPLE PUFFS – 1 BOX OF 6 PUFFS – 19 OUNCES PER BOX
CHEESE DANISH TWIST 1 BOX – 15 OUNCES PER BOX
CHERRY PIE – FROZEN – 3 PIES – 34 OUNCES PER PIE
VERY BERRY PIE – FROZEN – 2 PIES – 35 OUNCES PER PIE
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EXTRAS
KETCHUP – 2 BOTTLES – 50.5 OUNCES PER BOTTLE
TACO BOAT SHELLS – 8 SHELLS – 1 BOX – 6.7 OUNCES PER BOX
TACO SHELLS – 36 SHELLS – 3 BOXES – 4.6 OUNCES PER BOX
SALAD DRESSING – RASPBERRY WALNUT – 2 BOTTLES – 16 OZ PER BOTTLE
EXTRA VIRGIN OPLIVE OIL – 1 BOTTLE – 17 OUNCES PER BOTTLE
MAYONNAISE – 1 JAR – 30 OUNCES PER JAR
SAUERKRAUT – 1 POUND
MEAT MARINADE – GARLIC HERB WINE – 2 PAKS – 0.87 OUNCES PER PAK
STUFFING – CHICKEN FLAVORED – 5 BOXES – 6 OUNCES PER BOX
STUFFING – CHICKEN FLAVORED – 1 BOX – 12 OUNCES PER BOX
SALTINE CRACKERS – FOR STUFFING – 1 BOX – 16 OUNCES PER BOX
CRANBERRY SAUCE – 2 CANS – 14 OUNCES PER CAN
ONION SOUP MIX 2 BOXES – 2 OUNCES PER BOX
GRAVY – BISTRO AU JUS – 1 JAR – 12 OUNCES PER JAR
GRAVY – ROASTED TURKEY – 2 JARS – 12 OUNCES PER JAR
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SODA
SPRITE – 72 CANS – 12 OUNCES PER CAN
COKE – 24 CANS – 12 OUNCES PER CAN
DR PEPPER – 24 CANS – 12 OUNCES PER CAN
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JUICE
V8 JUICE – 2 BOTTLES – 46 OUNCES PER BOTTLE
V8 JUICE CARROT AND MANGO – 1 BOTTLE – 46 OZ PER BOTTLE
APPLE CIDER – 1 BOTTLE – 64 OUNCES PER BOTTLE
ORANGE JUICE – 6 BOTTLES – 59 OUNCES PER BOTTLE
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COFFEE, TEA, AND ICE TEA
ARIZONA ICE TEA – 14 BOTTLES – 128 OUNCES PER BOTTLE
TEA BAGS – 1 BOX – 100 TEA BAGS