How do you feel about US government imposed food regulations?

1. 83

   sholland10posted 12 years ago

   How do you feel about US government imposed food regulations?
   
   Have you had a problem or heard of schools not allowing students to eat what their parents sent in their lunch?  Do you see a difference in things in the grocery store?  Do you think it is for the betterment of the nation to have the government regulate our food?  Why or why not?

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2. 72

   ithabiseposted 12 years ago

   Absolutely not. My eye-opening came with reading Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food". The American food system, as it stands, is killing Americans; and the correction to those results being made to be pharmaceuticals and not nutrition and natural remedies is a double whammy. Too much to say here, so I'll stop talking!

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3. 0

   Gusserposted 12 years ago

   Since when does the Government have this power? The Constitution is being trampled to death while "do gooders" cheer it on.

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4. 40

   ChristinSposted 12 years ago

   Do I believe a lot of "food" in this country is bad - yes.  Do I believe school lunches contribute to the problem - yes.  Do I believe many parents are woefully ignorant of nutrition - yes. 
   
   Do I think the government should step in and mandate what we can and cannot eat? No.  There has to be at some point personal accountability.  If the government wants to truly help kids eat healthier subsidize nutrition education programs and educate people truthfully, I might add, about what they are putting in their bodies.  Our "food" leaves a lot to be desired, and like ithabise says that topic can go on for days in and of itself...
   
   The govt has no business butting into the personal choices of others.  Schools are there to educate - they should do just that.  They should also give physical education/health more focus.

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5. 72

   The Frog Princeposted 12 years ago

   Susan - The federal government needs to get the hell out of my kitchen and stay out.  There are other aspects of our life they need to keep out of but that might make another good question.  Read my latest BTW Susan.  It's so funny it will make ya cry.
   
   The Frog

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6. 60

   MickSposted 12 years ago

   When I was teaching and saw the junk in children's packed lunches I thought then that there should be some sort of intervention.  Parents were sending their kids in with junk, like crisps and sweets etc, there were very few, count on the fingers of one hand that sent their kids in with healthy options.

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7. 89

   Pamela99posted 12 years ago

   I think the American diet for many people is not very healthy, however, I do not believe the government has the right to dictate what we eat or what we feed our children. A little girl was not allowed to eat her bagged lunch last week that contained a turkey and cheese sandwich and a banana. She was forced to eat the cafeteria food which was chicken nuggets, which is certainly not especially healthy. The teacher said the child didn't have any milk product, so I guess she didn't know cheese is a milk product. I think education in schools, on the TV or Internet on healthy diets is useful but the government does not have the right to control our food choices.

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8. 60

   Lions Den Mediaposted 12 years ago

   There are certainly reduced portions in certain foods. But Anytime a government limits choice, they are by default limiting freedom. And nothing good ever, ever comes from government micro managing anything, especially your life. I have no clue where all of this "healthy" eating nonsense has emerged from. But I know for a fact, because there was a study and I did it personally, that you can lose 20, 40, 60 pounds within 6 months eating HoHos and Little Debbies and during that period reduce bad cholesterol and increase good.
   
   http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/tw … index.html
   
   This weight issue is quite simple and it is not about simple versus complex carbs or sugars, or protein vs. carbs, fat vs bug food. It is a simple calculation of calorie intake versus the calories burned. If you calculate your Body Mass, height, weight and activity level this will give the calorie intake you need to stay at that weight. So if a person sits on a couch and watches reruns of Cops all day and does no manual labor other than lighting a cigarette and getting up to get a beer and the person obtains most of their calorie intake from beer and twinkies, but does not exceed their calorie intake allowance -- that person will die of cerousis of the liver but will be lean and looking good in the coffin.

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9. 76

   teaches12345posted 12 years ago

   This is an interesting question. As a former child care director, I saw many lunches from home that were quite healthy.  Children with food allergies had to bring food from home.  Good quality school programs offer children healthy well-balanced meals that cover all the basic food needs.  Perhaps the schools should make a list of healthy meal options, for those children who bring lunches from home, on their websites or letters home.  Private schools can discuss meals with parents as a concern for the child's overall health and well-being at school.  However, the government should not be allowed to regulate what is in a child's lunchbox.

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