Boris declares war on fat

[Weallhavevalidopinions]

Boris has said his being overweight contributed to his problems with Covid-19.
Stories this morning suggest he will wage war on fat...

What type of help do you think might be suggested?

Have you decided to lose weight due to Covid-19 worries?

YABU - no I will not lose weight due to Covid worries
YANBU - I will lose weight due to Covid worries

Oh, don’t start with that.

Everything is twisted, words misinterpreted.

I am honestly flabbergasted by the derailing .

I am with @fascinated who's nick actually is how i feel reading this

So if you're poor you have to eat sardines everyday.

No, where did she say that? It. Was. An. Example.

Why are people so deliberately obtuse?

Yes, Joe. Yes, they are.

Sorry, Joe. I missed the "Why"
Apologies.

So, is the answer cheaper cookers?

A microwave is all many poorer people have. If that.
How do you do home cooking when you don't have access to your own kitchen or proper cooking facilities and storage?

Nevermind the vegetarians or vegans. I expect poorer people aren't allowed to choose to give up meat and fish

I have to say, if I was in a situation where I had no money and didn't even have access to my own cooking facilities, choosing to become vegan would probably be quite low on my list of priorities.

Goodness me.
It's vitally important that ALL causes of obesity are discussed if we genuinely want to tackle it.

I noted upthread poverty is not the only reason. Of course it isn't. But it's got to be mentioned. How else can we do anything about that particular cause?

We can discuss more than one cause of obesity on this thread.

Btw. Be careful with drinking water. As important as it is to keep yourself well hydrated it is possible, like it is with anything, to have too much. It's dangerous and can interfere with the kidneys.

A healthy balance is always best.

And what's the wording we're now meant to use when describing poorer people. I've been poor. I couldn't give a flying fuck if that's the word used. My priority, like any other in that position, was surviving and hoping for improved circumstances. As long as it's not intended in a derogatory manner what's wrong with factual descriptions?

Circumstances change. Sometimes pretty much overnight. Unexpected redundancy, illness, family problems, emergencies.

Somebody might have been a vegetarian or vegan for many years, sometimes all their life, before experiencing poverty. Why should they change that? For many it's as much a vital belief system as is religion for others. Sometimes it's linked to religion. And it is actually now recognised in law. Somebody recently won a legal case. Ethical veganism is a belief protected by law.

Be careful. Ethical veganism protected under belief must be veganism which affects their daily life. That guy was even reluctant to take a bus because many bugs die when it hits them. So it's not every vegan. It really has to properly affect your life.

Nothing against vegans, just wanted to add this. It's actually interesting case

Fine, the reason that we have an obesity crisis in this country is because of vegans in poverty who couldn't possibly let something like tinned sardines pass their lips...

Obviously I'm not saying that there aren't individual cases of previously comfortably off vegans suddenly being plunged into poverty and no longer being able to afford oat milk and quinoa, or have any means to cook lentils and veg, and so are having to now survive of crisps and oreos instead. But I highly doubt they are particularly relevant to the general obesity problem that the UK has?

I didn't realise the extent he took it.
Definitely an interesting case.
I think prisoners are entitled to vegan food? Certainly vegetarian. I remember reading interviews with climate change protestors who'd been arrested. The police had fed them cooked vegan food in the cells.

Poverty and obesity are strongly linked for a variety of reasons. It's complex.

It's certainly not the only reason for obesity. Of course not. All the causes should be discussed. This thread has included some very interesting discussion actually. And some helpful advice too.

I didn't realise the extent he took it.

He was very extreme. Basically it's not just about eating. Ethical vegan would have to go the whole way to no leather, buying certain cosmetics, clothes, brands based on their ethics etc. Then it would be held as an honest belief. Otherwise it's basically just a dietary preference. That's how it stands now as far as I know.

I think prisoners are entitled to vegan food

Try getting vegan food in our local hospital

A vegan sandwich was 2 rounds of dry bread and the Vegan Special was 1 slightly charred baked potato and a pat of margarine

I have to say, if I was in a situation where I had no money and didn't even have access to my own cooking facilities, choosing to become vegan would probably be quite low on my list of priorities

I think choosing to eat meat is a far more expensive way to live.

If anything going vegan or vegetarian would save you money.

Nothing wrong with Egg and Chips or Beans on toast or Vegan Stew/Chilli/Curry/Bolognaise with rice or pasta

We buy dried soya mince. A big bag for £1.99. It can last us a couple of weeks. Probably get 4-6 nights meals out of it depending how heavy handed we are with the packet.

I think choosing to eat meat is a far more expensive way to live.

Yes, eating meat regularly is more expensive. Our food bill is cheaper since we have cut down on meat. But to cut out all meat, or further all animal products completely, requires a hell of a lot of effort, mental energy and probably in the long run, money, to try and ensure that you are getting all the right nutrients and aren't missing out on anything, whilst at the same time getting variety and flavour.

Everytime someone talks about what 'poor' people should be eating always makes me think of this from The Road to Wigan Pier by Oscar Wilde

Would it not be better if they spent more money on wholesome things like oranges and wholemeal bread or if they even, like the writer of the letter to the New Statesman, saved on fuel and ate their carrots raw? Yes, it would, but the point is that no ordinary human being is ever going to do such a thing. The ordinary human being would sooner starve than live on brown bread and raw carrots. And the peculiar evil is this, that the less money you have, the less inclined you feel to spend it on wholesome food. A millionaire may enjoy breakfasting off orange juice and Ryvita biscuits; an unemployed man doesn’t. Here the tendency of which I spoke at the end of the last chapter comes into play. When you are unemployed, which is to say when you are underfed, harassed, bored, and miserable, you don’t want to eat dull wholesome food. You want something a little bit ‘tasty’. There is always some cheaply pleasant thing to tempt you.

The ordinary human being would sooner starve than live on brown bread and raw carrots

What's wrong with brown bread and raw carrots? On our local pub's bar menu, it's the vegan option.

That's a really good post and quote @JustAnotherPoster00

Experts advise variety for a healthy diet.

Nowt wrong with brown bread and carrots - with some protein added in - as just one part of a balanced varied diet.

@Phonelock

The ordinary human being would sooner starve than live on brown bread and raw carrots

What's wrong with brown bread and raw carrots? On our local pub's bar menu, it's the vegan option

Don’t tell me, I bet their gluten free opt is bread and carrots. But they take the bread off the plate.

Actually it was George Orwell..but he was spot on

Don’t tell me, I bet their gluten free opt is bread and carrots. But they take the bread off the plate

You've been there!

Actually it was George Orwell..but he was spot on

Yep youre right, no clue why I said Oscar Wilde tbh, major brain fart, I blame my obesity