I'm going to take a break from the research to talk about some of the conversations I've been having about this project. My friends and I were all intrigued by the $1 a Day Diet Project and I have a lot of respect for what they've done. They brought to light what the reality of living below the poverty line really means to a high speed internet audience. Do any of us, while we're clacking away at our keyboards checking out our favorite forums and news feeds, even worry about what we're going to eat unless we're on a diet?
I got to thinking though, that there is a large middle class, actually the bulk of the population who could benefit from eating less and saving more, myself included. Think of what we as a nation could save in health care costs that could be put towards better use if only the majority of the nation wasn't obese? How much of our tax money is spent on preventable health issues through Medicare and Medicaid? I'm not saying we shouldn't be spending on these things, especially in light of the health care crisis in the US, but shouldn't we also be focused on preventative care?
The capitalist in me knows that part of the reason that we Americans will stay overweight is because big food corporations pay marketers a ton of money to make eating look good. Have you seen the recent Sara Lee Soft and Smooth Whole Grain Bread being advertised with High School Musical? And the weight loss industry isn't any better; they've made it seem like to lose weight you have to spend money. Since when did being thin signal wealth? Since plastic surgery and celebrity personal trainers.
Why not create a place where being healthy is not only affordable but also accessible and delicious?
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