The Organic Prepper A report in the UK Daily Mail says that hospitalization cases for treatment of malnutrition have doubled over the past 5 years. The increase is linked to Britain’s crippling economic downturn.
Easington MP Grahame Morris, who sits on the House of Commons health select committee, told the Chronicle that the figures should be an alarm bell.
He said: ‘I certainly think the Government’s policies on austerity with cuts in public services and welfare benefits have been a contributory factor.
‘I suspect, with increasing fuel bills, many low-income households in the North East, especially older people, are having to choose between heating and eating.’
Ministers have previously argued that a surge in demand has in part been fuelled by jobcentre staff being allowed to refer the unemployed to food banks for help.
Cuts to benefits, frozen or falling wages and rising living costs have been blamed in part for some people struggling to make ends meet.
The figures come as the Archbishop of Canterbury has urged Christmas shoppers to give money to Britain’s expanding network of food banks rather than splash out on expensive presents.
The Most Reverend Justin Welby made the appeal in reaction to news of a shocking increase in the number of impoverished Britons now relying on food handouts. (source)
This is our future.
As the US economy continues to collapse and the processed food industry continues to churn out ever-cheaper, ever-more-toxic garbage, we are going to see malnutrition cases increase dramatically in our own country. The poor are targeted by advertisers selling the most chemical-laden, GMO-filled substances masquerading as food, while simple, nutritious organic foods are out of reach for the average American. Those of us who prioritize real food are painted as “snobs” and “elitists” while marketers try to make fast food and packaged food the first choice for lower-income consumers.
Of course, those of us in the know realize that looking after our health by filling our bodies with what was meant to nourish us is just good sense, and not an exercise in snobbery.
We can easily compare our own financial situation to that of the UK, who can compare their situation to that of Greece. The pattern is the always the same when economies crumble, and we’d be wise to use the information trickling out of Europe to serve as a guide to our preparedness steps.
As a measure for the future, it is vital for the health of your family to stock up now on the most nutritious foods you can. Also purchase good quality vitamin supplements, heirloom seeds, and the necessary items from producing and preserving as much of your own food as possible. Keep in mind that the things no one can take for you are your knowledge and skills.
If we can’t learn from history, we’re doomed to make the same mistakes that others did. People who were formerly middle class are now in line at food banks and recipients of government benefits. As things collapse further, food bank donations will slow down and benefits will get slashed again and again until they are gone. Watch closely the situations in Europe and the UK, because as their events unfold, we can see our own future.
Daisy Luther is a freelance writer and editor. Her website, The Organic Prepper, offers information on healthy prepping, including premium nutritional choices, general wellness and non-tech solutions. You can follow Daisy on Facebook and Twitter, and you can email her at daisy@theorganicprepper.ca
Strangely enough, when we were living on a 4-figure income in the 80s, I actually think we ate healthier (mostly vegetarian)…but then again GMOs didn’t exist back then.
I don’t think it’s income that determines how healthily you eat, but your knowledge of what’s healthier and your desire to eat healthier. And I wouldn’t call crappy food cheap, either. It’s cheaper to make your own hamburger than it is to eat at McDonald’s…
It’s not all that much cheaper to make your own burger, which I was surprised to discover. I can buy a McDouble for $1 plus tax (here, $1.06).
I am not sure how much equivalent “meat” (by the pound) is in a McDouble, but let’s say I can make 8 fairly skimpy burgers from a pound of regular (high % fat) hamburger. The U.S. average for that is $3.50 a pound, so 44 cents for the meat. (data from U.S. Dept of Labor statistics website.) The buns are $1.40 for an 8-pack. That’s 18 cents. The “cheese” (American processed; 24 slices to the pound) is 17 cents per slice. We are now up to 79 cents and have not added any ketchup, pickles or mustard (let alone tomatoes or lettuce, but those aren’t on McDoubles). Let’s add 6 cents and round it up to 85 cents per homemade, fairly skimpy burger (skimpy means it won’t have sufficient calories let alone nutrients to really sustain a person).
I think if a family or person wants to make a steady diet of burgers, if they have cooking facilities and enough money for the outlay to buy an entire pound of meat, a pack of buns, jars of condiments and a pound of cheese at one time, they would save about 21 cents per burger, or $1.68 per 8 burgers — which is just slightly more than it costs to buy one McDouble. For the effort involved, I think it is hard for most people to see the logic in making it yourself (other than, the ingredients are marginally better for you).
I do agree with you, DL, that knowledge of what is actually in crappy food and what it does to your body, has quite a lot to do with food choices. Also, knowledge of how to eat healthy if you lack cooking facilities or cooking know-how, helps greatly.
And don’t forget, the ‘value’ of fiat currency continues to
depreciate.
-flek