Tax Junk Food/Regulate Contents?

[Weedlab]

To the OP, well in the interest of time I'll just address the core issue and respond to your lesser points later. Personally, I see this problem like the drug issue in some sense. There is strong demand from the consumers for these products, so suppliers will respond to this since there is a market. A lot of these companies are just reacting to people, and some people buy them because they're cheap, convenient, etc. So it is a vicious cycle. Plus, these companies benefit from scale economies, so they'll have a cost advantage, which will encourage people to keep buying. Some of the 'healthy food' (well by American standards) sold by some companies are still niche, and as a result they won't benefit from scale economies (the cost advantage). In effect, this whole issue is very complex, and I think a multi-pronged strategy is needed to effect any change. That's why I think the government's role is important, but how they respond is important too. Companies won't alter their forumla, especially since they're making money from it.


All in all, I don't find consuming healthy foods to be too taxing, nor is it expensive for me. I consume carrots, broccoli, kale, other vegetables, eggs, oats, chicken, almonds, fish and fruits that don't spike blood sugar levels too much. On occasion I use brown or wild rice. That's it really, and I don't spend much at all. No breads, no flour, nothing wheat related and no processed meats like bacon.The only oils I use are coconut for cooking and olive oil for everything else. I don't use sugar, but if I feel for a sweetener I'll use some buckwheat honey. I spend very little on a weekly basis and it is not time consuming for me, at all.

People need to know more about junk food and what it does to them. It's not just the fat issue. You have to consider things like the extremely high levels of omega 6 fatty acids found in them, which promotes inflammation and causes all sorts of problems in people. That's why I'd never encourage people to eat McDonalds, but at the end of the day it is their choice.