The cost of living... what can we do?

Televisions... no one's mentioned the electricity these use - and the cost of a licence?

 

Here's something I worry about for other people, and longer term, for the NHS and the economy. I think it's a potentially serious issue that I suspect a lot of people won't even think about.

Malnutrition.

Sounds crazy to mention malnutrition in a supposedly developed economy.

As the cost of living keeps biting, I think most people will find a way to fill their bellies. The problem is, what they fill their bellies with. As people keep having to buy cheaper, poorer quality food, I think if it goes on for too long, people are going to be deficient in all sorts, and that will bring long term health issues. That means more burden on an already struggling NHS. It also means lower work performance, and more sick leave, which impacts the economy as a whole, not to mention the horrible implications for the individuals concerned.

I doubt the politicians even think about this. Why would they? They won't be the ones struggling to eat a balanced diet due to financial concerns.

Historically, I believe politicians actually used to think of this. I understand that's why school meals became a thing. I once read that someone in power realised that if the kids aren't fed well, they won't grow up to make good workers.

 

But aren't children allowed to choose their school meals now? A high percentage will go for the less nourishing food - burgers, chips etc.

 

Yes. It's a purely commercial enterprise now. I used to regularly ask my kids what they'd had for dinner. They're both on packed lunches now.

As a related aside, I saw an opportunity here with my eldest, who is 13. I was crediting his dinner money account with £12.50 per week. I now give him a tenner a week in cash, which he uses to do his own packed lunch shopping. I largely leave him be, but I do intervene with nutrition and budgeting advice to make sure he's making good choices at a fair price. As added incentive to budget, I've told him he can just keep any money he has left over. It's quite funny watching a teenage lad carefully scrutinising every choice, and calculating in his head how much of everything to buy to last him all week without producing any waste, while at the same time making sure he'll be satisfied and properly nourished.

 

Quite a lot of people I see in the street could do with a dose of malnutrition.

 

I know what you mean, and take the joke. But on a serious note, malnutrition does not equal starvation. A person could be morbidly obese and still be suffering malnutrition.

Malnutrition just means lacking in one or more essential nutrients. If someone lived on a diet of sugar and lard, they'd likely become obese, but they'd be lacking protein and a whole range of vitamins and minerals that their body needs, so sooner or later, they'd just drop dead.

 

Well isn't that the point, some people are malnourished already, but by choice.

 

Some people are yes. By choice, I'm not sure. Probably some I guess. But in those cases, I wonder, was their choice based on sound knowledge? In many cases probably not.

True story. A few years ago I nearly spontaneously dropped dead. I'd had niggling discomfort in my chest for some time prior. Not enough to cause concern. I wouldn't even call it pain, just an annoying sensation. It suddenly, rapidly got worse, culminating in me losing consciousness in the NHS walk in centre.

At the time, I was following NHS weight loss guidelines. I'd estimated my daily protein intake to be around 20 grams based on the diet guidelines I was following. There is no 'official' level set, but most research points to around 70 grams as the minimum. At the time, I associated protein with muscles. I figured the deficiency would lead to muscle loss, but I'd build that back after hitting my weight loss goals.

Turns out, protein is about so much more than muscles. One of its functions is to regulate the function of some of your essential organs. Hence why I nearly dropped dead.

I think for most people, they realise that certain things are 'good for you', but they don't realise that they are essential to keep you alive.

I think even people who do know these things will be forced to compromise as their cashflow becomes increasingly difficult. I'd be willing to bet, for example, that even the most dedicated fitness and nutrition expert would eat rubbish food if that was all they could afford, rather than going hungry.

 

I think everyone who eats junk food know it's not doing them any good, but they like it.
Most people indulge in something that is not good, it's about how much you indulge, be it smoking, drinking or eating rubbish.

 

I definitely agree with that. My point though is that when people have to start scrimping on food, while of course they'll know it's not especially good for them, if they don't have basic nutrition knowledge, they may not know just how seriously bad it can be over time.

I think if you switched to only eating junk food for a week, you might feel a bit rubbish but otherwise physically fine. Keep going for a month or more, and it will start doing hidden damage that might not manifest as actual noticeable symptoms until potentially serious damage has been done, and while that damage might be reversible, it might not.

 

Regarding junk food and Ultra Processed Food (UPF) I found the radio series linked to below interesting, but disturbing.
BBC Radio 4 - A Thorough Examination with Drs Chris and Xand

 

Often junk food is more expensive.

If you're prepared to cook something yourself instead of buying it ready made, or worse still having it delivered it's most much cheaper.

Now I know some people say they don't have the time but I'm willing to bet that a lot of the ones who say they are struggling are probably not.

But having said that I do feel sorry for the ones who are having to use food banks, it can't be easy.