Hacker News Reader

Comment by swang | Hacker News Reader

OP said we should restrict items to healthier foods. My response to that is I'm for that if you increase the amount to match the cost of fruits, vegetables, and meats.

And honestly comparing people on food stamps to heroin junkies is disgusting. These people aren't addicted to potato chips. There are obviously people who abuse the SNAP program but you think people want to remain fat and unhealthy? The amount given to people on SNAP is not enough to pay for healthy foods. So given the choice between eating potato chips and not eating.. What options are you giving them?

View on HN

I think anyone who overindulges in soda and other junk are junkies. The people who buy them off SNAP are no better. I think it may be a lack of education or cultural or even psychological thing. If the SNAP isn't providing enough, and you have this little amount of money to spend on soda and chips which provide 10x more pleasure than spending the same money on some fruit, I would probably be a junkie too. (Personally I have lived like that before). But I doubt that giving more money would help unless we try to push people toward better options at the same time. Now I avoid soda(especially) and junk like the plague, because I've changed my mindset and outlook on things. For me, it's better to eat less overall(not enough calories) or just miss the meal until the next opportunity than eating junk food. That's because I've experienced what consuming that trash is like versus eating healthily. But other people may not have the same experience or education or culture to reach the same conclusion. I am quite fond of the Japanese portion sizes for instance. I'm also really into fasts. I think everyone should learn that you don't need to always be eating 3-4 meals every single day outside of specific situations.

> For me, it's better to eat less overall(not enough calories) or just miss the meal until the next opportunity than eating junk food.

This is called an eating disorder.

Well that's uncalled for. I regularly lift weights and consider myself fairly healthy. I have an eating disorder if I skip a meal in a scenario where the only option is junk food?

To be fair, I skip the meal until I get a chance to eat something nice, and I'll usually eat an extra big meal to make up for the missed one.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com