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I see this argument a lot on here, and while I agree with it logically and factually, it totally dismisses the human element. Rice, beans, and vegetables are

I see this argument a lot on here, and while I agree with it logically and factually, it totally dismisses the human element. Rice, beans, and vegetables are very nutritious and cheap but they're generally boring in comparison to a bag of Cheetos or a doughnut. When you're dirt poor, you don't have many avenues to get a quick pick-me-up feeling -- so often that comes from junk food. A $1 burger is not as good for you as $1 of veg and rice, but it gives you more momentary pleasure and activates the reward centres in your brain. Even as you eat it, you know you could be eating something more nutritious which would be better for you in the long-run, but you still eat it. Once you do it the first time, the subsequent times become easier, especially if it's loaded with sugar and you get yourself in a high/low blood sugar cycle. I'm not defending it, and I'm not saying people have no control over themselves, but I just wish people would have a little more compassion and understanding when they go for the "beans and veg are cheap" argument.

megaman22 8y ago
People like to lambaste the McDonald's dollar menu cheeseburger, but it's a remarkably cost-effective and more-healthy-than-you'd-think method of sustenance. Skip the empty calories in the french fries and soda, and you're really not doing that badly.
LarryDarrell 8y ago
That's pretty much spot on. I remember being $100 short in my checking account for the next months rent and having $5 in my wallet. Humans are not machines. I bought some fried rice and a 40oz beer and watched my favorite show. For a few hours I was not completely miserable. People who have more than enough do not understand what those few hours mean.
mortenjorck 8y ago
There is also the time element. If you're working two part-time jobs and delivering Seamless on the side, not to mention your hour-long commute from the nearest affordable community, your time to prepare all those healthy vegetables into a palatable meal is a lot less than that of the average tech worker.
grasshopperpurp 8y ago
Food deserts don't help either. https://socialwork.tulane.edu/blog/food-deserts-in-america https://socialwork.tulane.edu/blog/food-deserts-in-america

megaman22 8y ago

People like to lambaste the McDonald's dollar menu cheeseburger, but it's a remarkably cost-effective and more-healthy-than-you'd-think method of sustenance. Skip the empty calories in the french fries and soda, and you're really not doing that badly.

LarryDarrell 8y ago

That's pretty much spot on. I remember being $100 short in my checking account for the next months rent and having $5 in my wallet. Humans are not machines. I bought some fried rice and a 40oz beer and watched my favorite show. For a few hours I was not completely miserable. People who have more than enough do not understand what those few hours mean.

mortenjorck 8y ago

There is also the time element. If you're working two part-time jobs and delivering Seamless on the side, not to mention your hour-long commute from the nearest affordable community, your time to prepare all those healthy vegetables into a palatable meal is a lot less than that of the average tech worker.

grasshopperpurp 8y ago

Food deserts don't help either. https://socialwork.tulane.edu/blog/food-deserts-in-america https://socialwork.tulane.edu/blog/food-deserts-in-america