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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To suggest that enforced national food rationing might help solve the nation's obesity problem?

350 replies

Lucia39 · 30/05/2009 00:13

During the period 1939-1954 the nation's diet was, apparently, the healthiest it has ever been.

So would a similar regime assist helping those who are increasingly "dimensionally challenged"?

Vegetables, fruit, and pulses would be more freely available but meat, dairy produce, sugar and fats would be strictly rationed.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
raffyandted · 30/05/2009 00:26

Weird, this idea occurred to me a few days ago. I think it's the only thing that would solve the natinal obesity/health crisis. But it will never happen.

Wish it would, I'm beginning to think it's the only thing that will get me to lose weight (5'2" and currently size18/20).

(I am also a bad mother who continually shouts 'f**k off' at my child whilst force-feeding him MacDonalds, but that's another thread )

BananaFruitBat · 30/05/2009 00:27

That's just it skrmble, you can't ration takeaways or TV.

Who cares if 'They' say a shop can only sell you x amount when you can go to McD's or order a takeaway and sit on your arse in front of the TV while you stuff it down your face. And wash it down with 24 cans of Stella.

mrsboogie · 30/05/2009 00:27

hurrah, found myself on a lucia thread

thought they were a thing of myth or legend

skramble · 30/05/2009 00:28

edam, yes much is forgotton about that period in British histroy and it is easy to say oh wouldn't it be good.

KatyMac · 30/05/2009 00:29

& the resulting high unemployment?

How many of us are involved in the food business from takeaways, restaurants, shops, manufacturing, marketing, packaging

How are these people going to be supported?

MachuPicchu · 30/05/2009 00:29

Bored again are you Lucia?

epithet · 30/05/2009 00:30

Why does theCrackFox have to provide evidence for her statement when you provide none for yours? (@OP)

skramble · 30/05/2009 00:31

Oh we could do it Handmaids tale style, where we get a set amount of tokens to exchange at the regulation goverment shops, but think it all involved gettting young nubile woman to have surrogate children for us while they secretly shag the chauffer .

Lucia39 · 30/05/2009 00:32

I'm not suggesting we go back to war-time austerity, blackouts, and clothes coupons. I'm suggesting a possible way of dealing, at a national level, with the nation's diet.

As to take-aways etc there could be a points system introduced that limited the individual or family's use of such outlets to once a month! It could then become a treat - like it used to be!

I should point out that this thread is only a suggestion!

OP posts:
TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 30/05/2009 00:33

Capital idea. Lets ration cigarettes and alcohol too.

Q. Will the money saved by the nations improved health match that lost in tax revenues?

A. On a postcard please.

BananaFruitBat · 30/05/2009 00:33

D' you know, I quite like skrmble

I think I'll go for bnn fruitbt

ipanemagirl · 30/05/2009 00:34

LOL Duchess!
(Bows and scrapes)
How are you?

edam · 30/05/2009 00:34

thanks skramble. That myth about 'we were all so much healthier under rationing' is one of the very few things that makes my godmother almost shout at the TV (except her manners are too good to allow her to do it).

At best naive. At worst, downright wrong and insulting to those who went through WW2.

Thunderduck · 30/05/2009 00:35

Yes, a completely bonkers suggestion.

ChippingIn · 30/05/2009 00:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

skramble · 30/05/2009 00:36

Right so let me get this right, limited food and takeaways and I get to shag the chaffuer or gardener, when does this happen?

Oh do I have to start making dresses out of my curtains too, don't like them much as curtains but don't see me sauntering down to M&S with my ration book wearing them either. Feck it I will send the kids and stay in shagging the chaffuer instead.

MachuPicchu · 30/05/2009 00:36

I am thinking that alot of money could be made on black-market doughnuts...

moondog · 30/05/2009 00:37

We were healthier under rations though.

TheDuchessOfNorksBride · 30/05/2009 00:37

hi ipanema, studying late are we?

Sorry thread, as you were...

edam · 30/05/2009 00:37

(Don't forget about knitting your own undies, Skramble. Apparently one should always wear wool next to the skin. So I'm led to believe!)

skramble · 30/05/2009 00:38

Don't you know the war was all good fun, grow your own and men in uniform. Such bliss.

If we start another war we might not have a choice, but so many lives may be lost there would be less mouths to feed anyway .

Its a wonder we don't just bomb someone now.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 30/05/2009 00:38

hey, there's no need to call anyone a bitch because you don't agree with what they say.

edam · 30/05/2009 00:38

'We' certainly weren't since none of us were alive then.

And the people who lived through it weren't either.

BananaFruitBat · 30/05/2009 00:39

Do good citizens who take part in regular sporting activities earn extra coupons?

skramble · 30/05/2009 00:39

wOOLIY UNDIES????

Only if the chauffer likes them, hold on I will check.....