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Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
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dlj97
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by Mrs213
Posted by dlj97
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
I was just going to post the exact same thing! That cost is way underestimated, and the calories on the home cooked meal seem way overestimated.
Well I think they are basing it on average cost per meal. Of course you're not going To go out and buy 4 slices of bread only for 75 cents ya know? You can get chickens on sale buy one get one free sometimes. I think adding the cost of dishwashing soap and napkins is really nickel and dime-ing it lol
It does cost money to heat the oven and run the dishwasher! They are adding in 5 cents for salt and pepper, so I think adding in all costs is only fair!
Message edited 6/13/2012 3:51:44 PM.
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Posted 6/13/12 3:51 PM  |
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kahlua716
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
Key Food in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
The info is at the bottom of the picture  
I think what they are doing is giving the cost of ONLY what they used in each dinner.
So, 3 strips of bacon from the $7 lb bacon = $1.85
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| Posted 6/13/12 3:53 PM |
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headoverheels
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by Mrs213
Posted by dlj97
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
I was just going to post the exact same thing! That cost is way underestimated, and the calories on the home cooked meal seem way overestimated.
Well I think they are basing it on average cost per meal. Of course you're not going To go out and buy 4 slices of bread only for 75 cents ya know? You can get chickens on sale buy one get one free sometimes. I think adding the cost of dishwashing soap and napkins is really nickel and dime-ing it lol
I honestly think that it would cost me about 3 cents in dishwashing liquid and 5 cents in water to clean up after that meal. Maybe 10 cents if I used the dishwasher.
Come on people. You're ignoring the point of this graphic. Or are you trying to make it seem like it's a better idea to eat fast food? Why so nit-picky? It's basic common sense that cooking at home is healthier and if you shop responsibly then yes, cooking at home IS cheaper unless you only shop at Whole Foods.
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| Posted 6/13/12 3:59 PM |
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Ophelia
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
let's do the math. my grocery bill is about 180 per week buying almost all organic, which provides breakfast and dinner for myself and my husband, and breakfast lunch and dinner for my son and my MIL.
dividing just by the days in the work week (5) that averages to around $36 per day for 10 meals a day. so $3.60 per person, per meal.
I would say that is slightly less than an "extra value meal" no? that that includes pantry and spice rack refills.
I don't find it to be misleading at all.
and if you really want to nit pick, someone tell me what costs more...driving to and from and idling in the drive thru OR gassing up your stove to cook?
Message edited 6/13/2012 4:04:17 PM.
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| Posted 6/13/12 4:00 PM |
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Mrs213
????????
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by headoverheels
Posted by Mrs213
Posted by dlj97
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
I was just going to post the exact same thing! That cost is way underestimated, and the calories on the home cooked meal seem way overestimated.
Well I think they are basing it on average cost per meal. Of course you're not going To go out and buy 4 slices of bread only for 75 cents ya know? You can get chickens on sale buy one get one free sometimes. I think adding the cost of dishwashing soap and napkins is really nickel and dime-ing it lol
I honestly think that it would cost me about 3 cents in dishwashing liquid and 5 cents in water to clean up after that meal. Maybe 10 cents if I used the dishwasher.
Come on people. You're ignoring the point of this graphic. Or are you trying to make it seem like it's a better idea to eat fast food? Why so nit-picky? It's basic common sense that cooking at home is healthier and if you shop responsibly then yes, cooking at home IS cheaper unless you only shop at Whole Foods.
ITA and just to add, DH and I grow our own veggies in our backyard so that makes the veggies practically free
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| Posted 6/13/12 4:10 PM |
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DiamondGirl
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Cooking at home is cheaper than eating out, anywhere, except maybe pizza. It is also healthier. To me these things are obvious.
The problem is that the people feeding their families fast food weekly, daily, are not the ones who are going to make home cook meals regularly. Ever.
Nothing wrong with a fast food meal once a month IMO. But trying to change habitual fast food eaters is pointless. They know they just don't have the time or don't care to cook healthy meals.
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| Posted 6/13/12 4:14 PM |
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Xelindrya
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by DiamondGirl
Cooking at home is cheaper than eating out, anywhere, except maybe pizza. It is also healthier. To me these things are obvious.
The problem is that the people feeding their families fast food weekly, daily, are not the ones who are going to make home cook meals regularly. Ever.
Nothing wrong with a fast food meal once a month IMO. But trying to change habitual fast food eaters is pointless. They know they just don't have the time or don't care to cook healthy meals.
ITA
I kinda said the same back on page one. But it was lost in the mix of healthier I can cook some rather UNHEATLHY things at home and still be cheaper
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| Posted 6/13/12 6:20 PM |
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ChilisWife
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Just to clarify, in no way did I mean to suggest that people should eat fast food more often because it is cheaper. I just don't think cooking at home is that much cheaper. We never eat fast food. We used to years ago but it started to make us sick, so I'd say I cook 5 out of 7 days per week now. If we do get take out, Italian for example, there is usually always leftovers so we get a second meal out of it, plus the significant amount of time I avoid cooking/cleaning lets me spend more of the very little time our family has together, which to me is priceless. In order to make that $13 family meal, I'd have to shop around, wait for sales, and/or drive to Brooklyn for a $6 chicken - there is a cost to that as well. I understand the point of the NYT graphic I just don't think it is realistic to expect people to plan so carefully and efficiently.
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| Posted 6/13/12 7:52 PM |
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
It would be interesting to see a long term study of budgets and eating habits and how much money is spent down the line on visits to cardiologists and prescriptions for Lipitor.
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| Posted 6/14/12 8:34 AM |
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acm1899
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by dlj97
Posted by Mrs213
Posted by dlj97
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
I was just going to post the exact same thing! That cost is way underestimated, and the calories on the home cooked meal seem way overestimated.
Well I think they are basing it on average cost per meal. Of course you're not going To go out and buy 4 slices of bread only for 75 cents ya know? You can get chickens on sale buy one get one free sometimes. I think adding the cost of dishwashing soap and napkins is really nickel and dime-ing it lol
It does cost money to heat the oven and run the dishwasher! They are adding in 5 cents for salt and pepper, so I think adding in all costs is only fair!
For the fast food meal, I think we should also add in the proportional cost of the future vertical banded gastroplasty surgery.
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| Posted 6/14/12 9:12 AM |
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TheWhiteRabbit
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by HoneyBadger
for the simple fact that EVERY SINGLE TIME i eat mc donald's i feel SICK after i'm finshed
TOTALLY agree. I eat it maybe 1x a year during tax season and ALWAYS feel so sick after 
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| Posted 6/14/12 10:03 AM |
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maymama
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by headoverheels
Posted by Mrs213
Posted by dlj97
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
I was just going to post the exact same thing! That cost is way underestimated, and the calories on the home cooked meal seem way overestimated.
Well I think they are basing it on average cost per meal. Of course you're not going To go out and buy 4 slices of bread only for 75 cents ya know? You can get chickens on sale buy one get one free sometimes. I think adding the cost of dishwashing soap and napkins is really nickel and dime-ing it lol
I honestly think that it would cost me about 3 cents in dishwashing liquid and 5 cents in water to clean up after that meal. Maybe 10 cents if I used the dishwasher.
Come on people. You're ignoring the point of this graphic. Or are you trying to make it seem like it's a better idea to eat fast food? Why so nit-picky? It's basic common sense that cooking at home is healthier and if you shop responsibly then yes, cooking at home IS cheaper unless you only shop at Whole Foods.
seriously. it does cost $4583 in gas to drive to McDonald's for that fast food so moot point 
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| Posted 6/14/12 10:10 AM |
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
I don't mean to sound rude but this bothered me. If you have to take into account condiments, napkins, pans, soap, plates then for the fast food you should have to take into account gas, oil changes, and new tires.
I think the point was to show that you can eat healthy for less then fast food. It's for all the people who say oh no fast food and processed food is so much cheaper. It's not. I also want to say that the above diagram is VERY accurate to where I live. Now if you choose to buy organic free range hormone free chicken at $2.99 a pound that's fine and the same for the veggies, but the point was healthy home cooked food. Another thing is can you have leftovers with fast food? I know that above chicken can make me stock and soup later in the week, stirfry, or maybe a potpie.
I find it frustrating that the calories are so high also. They should not be at all! There is no way that meal is worse for you then McDonald's/ No freaking way!
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| Posted 6/14/12 11:53 AM |
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CupcakeLady
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by medic6809
I find it frustrating that the calories are so high also. They should not be at all! There is no way that meal is worse for you then McDonald's/ No freaking way!
Keep in mind that calories aren't necessarily what makes food bad for you--it's all about the makeup of the meal. The calories may be similar, but the chicken meal is a LOT better for you.
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| Posted 6/14/12 1:57 PM |
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KCCL
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
According to this PDF a Big Mac alone is 550 calories with 260 coming from fat so how can that entire meal for 4 be only 900 calories avg per person?
Big Mac, Large Fry, & a Large Coke =1360 cal.
Message edited 6/14/2012 5:40:33 PM.
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| Posted 6/14/12 5:36 PM |
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peanutbutter2
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by KCCL
According to this PDF a Big Mac alone is 550 calories with 260 coming from fat so how can that entire meal for 4 be only 900 calories avg per person?
Big Mac, Large Fry, & a Large Coke =1360 cal.
It's because they are averaging it with "kids meal" sized items. It's skewing the numbers. If you're looking at this as a family of four with two parents and two child, the adults are eating a significant amount more than 900 calories.
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| Posted 6/14/12 5:48 PM |
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DaniJude
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
After I saw "Super Size Me" like a decade ago I have not touched McDonald's since... and it has nothing to do with the money although this is pretty eye opening! They did talk about how it's really not cheaper in that movie, though. They compared the costs with school lunches - how the healthier food is actually cheaper, on average, than the crap food.
But yeah, that movie turned me off for life. BLECH! I literally have not had it, not even once, since seeing it.
Message edited 6/14/2012 7:05:19 PM.
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| Posted 6/14/12 7:05 PM |
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by CupcakeLady
Posted by medic6809
I find it frustrating that the calories are so high also. They should not be at all! There is no way that meal is worse for you then McDonald's/ No freaking way!
Keep in mind that calories aren't necessarily what makes food bad for you--it's all about the makeup of the meal. The calories may be similar, but the chicken meal is a LOT better for you.
I honestly do not think there is anyway that a homemade meal like above is even close to McDonalds. I know it's about how you prepare it, but still......I don't buy it.
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| Posted 6/14/12 8:20 PM |
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MrsC614
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by headoverheels
Posted by Mrs213
Posted by dlj97
Posted by ChilisWife
I would love to know where they went shopping to get that meal for four for $13. Has anyone bought a chicken lately? Plus, the cost is misleading because it doesnt take into account other costs of cooking at home - spices, condiments, napkins, dish/pan soap to clean, etc. Sure, cooking at home is healthier (and for me, tastier) but judging from my grocery bill for my family of 4 (buying mostly all sale items and store brands), its not always so much cheaper.
I was just going to post the exact same thing! That cost is way underestimated, and the calories on the home cooked meal seem way overestimated.
Well I think they are basing it on average cost per meal. Of course you're not going To go out and buy 4 slices of bread only for 75 cents ya know? You can get chickens on sale buy one get one free sometimes. I think adding the cost of dishwashing soap and napkins is really nickel and dime-ing it lol
I honestly think that it would cost me about 3 cents in dishwashing liquid and 5 cents in water to clean up after that meal. Maybe 10 cents if I used the dishwasher.
Come on people. You're ignoring the point of this graphic. Or are you trying to make it seem like it's a better idea to eat fast food? Why so nit-picky? It's basic common sense that cooking at home is healthier and if you shop responsibly then yes, cooking at home IS cheaper unless you only shop at Whole Foods.
i primarilly shop at whole foods and if you shop wisely, you can actually do better than at a regular grocery store. just some food for thought
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| Posted 6/16/12 9:11 PM |
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julz33
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julz
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
There are many flaws.
First, you can't just buy 5 cents of salt and pepper, 4 pieces of bacon, etc. I get that this is the exact cost of the meal, but there is more money that must be laid out.
Second, organic food will cost more than the examples they used for the home cooked meals.
Third, that home cooked chicken meal is not a nutritious meal. Potatoes, Bread= carbs,carbs, carbs. Salad is just lettuce? No tomatos, dressing, cucumbers, peppers, whatever. Who east plain lettuce? (a rabbit). Where are the vegetables? We had a basic grilled chicken and asparagus meal the other day. The asparagus alone for my family of 4 was more than that entire meal they used as an example.
Fourth, time is money. Time for planning, shopping, and preparing at home "costs more" than stopping at McD's on your way home (assuming its on your route).
So IMO, you can make a meal at home thats as cheap as McDs. But an organic, nutritious meal is not even comparable.
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| Posted 6/16/12 10:12 PM |
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Jugglemom
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by julz33
There are many flaws.
First, you can't just buy 5 cents of salt and pepper, 4 pieces of bacon, etc. I get that this is the exact cost of the meal, but there is more money that must be laid out.
Second, organic food will cost more than the examples they used for the home cooked meals.
Third, that home cooked chicken meal is not a nutritious meal. Potatoes, Bread= carbs,carbs, carbs. Salad is just lettuce? No tomatos, dressing, cucumbers, peppers, whatever. Who east plain lettuce? (a rabbit). Where are the vegetables? We had a basic grilled chicken and asparagus meal the other day. The asparagus alone for my family of 4 was more than that entire meal they used as an example.
Fourth, time is money. Time for planning, shopping, and preparing at home "costs more" than stopping at McD's on your way home (assuming its on your route).
So IMO, you can make a meal at home thats as cheap as McDs. But an organic, nutritious meal is not even comparable.
I agree, word for word! I cook at home about 5 days a week and it is expensive to buy wholesome, organic food. Or our family of 4, I consistently spend well over $200/week on healthy food like meats, veggies, nuts, whole grains like quinoa, brown rice etc.
I don't feel like McDonald is the real problem though. The problem is more that people can buy hamburger helper and 80/20 ground meat and make dinner for a family of 4 for much less time and money than either of those meals especially when they factor in coupons and sales.
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| Posted 6/16/12 10:38 PM |
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JennP
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Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
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Jenn
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by headoverheels
Come on people. You're ignoring the point of this graphic. Or are you trying to make it seem like it's a better idea to eat fast food? Why so nit-picky? It's basic common sense that cooking at home is healthier and if you shop responsibly then yes, cooking at home IS cheaper unless you only shop at Whole Foods.
I am pretty sure no one at any point said that they disagree with the essential point of the comparison.
There are a lot of analytical minds on here. If something like this gets posted, it's going to be examined from all sides. I wouldn't call it nit picking; I think that's what makes for interesting discussions.
I think when those articles are posted that allege that fast food is cheaper, I think they are talking about different things. Yes, the meals are expensive, but there is an actual chicken sandwich on the dollar menu at McDonald's. Not nuggets or a mini sandwich, but a regular sandwich. Yes, I know this because I hit the place once a week as a treat and no, I don't feel guilty about it. I am not sure what kind of chicken it is, but I'm sure it's not grilled.
There is a huge socioeconomic factor too. I work in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn and ALL there is is fast food. Not Panera or Chipotle - true, artery clogging fast food. I would love to read about a study that examines why this is. I have theories, but I'm too tired to write about them, and they'll probably p*ss someone off.
So no, I don't think it's cheaper to eat fast food, but I think it CAN be very cheap. And no, I don't think the home cooked meal posted is all that healthy. Show me some chicken breasts instead and some veggies too and then we can talk.
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| Posted 6/17/12 3:00 AM |
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by JennP
Posted by headoverheels
Come on people. You're ignoring the point of this graphic. Or are you trying to make it seem like it's a better idea to eat fast food? Why so nit-picky? It's basic common sense that cooking at home is healthier and if you shop responsibly then yes, cooking at home IS cheaper unless you only shop at Whole Foods.
I am pretty sure no one at any point said that they disagree with the essential point of the comparison.
There are a lot of analytical minds on here. If something like this gets posted, it's going to be examined from all sides. I wouldn't call it nit picking; I think that's what makes for interesting discussions.
I think when those articles are posted that allege that fast food is cheaper, I think they are talking about different things. Yes, the meals are expensive, but there is an actual chicken sandwich on the dollar menu at McDonald's. Not nuggets or a mini sandwich, but a regular sandwich. Yes, I know this because I hit the place once a week as a treat and no, I don't feel guilty about it. I am not sure what kind of chicken it is, but I'm sure it's not grilled.
There is a huge socioeconomic factor too. I work in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn and ALL there is is fast food. Not Panera or Chipotle - true, artery clogging fast food. I would love to read about a study that examines why this is. I have theories, but I'm too tired to write about them, and they'll probably p*ss someone off.
So no, I don't think it's cheaper to eat fast food, but I think it CAN be very cheap. And no, I don't think the home cooked meal posted is all that healthy. Show me some chicken breasts instead and some veggies too and then we can talk.
I respectfully disagree with you. Is the above meal the healthiest option...no, but you can't tell me chicken, lettuce, toast, and potatoes are worse then that McDonald's meal. You spend over $200 a week on healthy organic meals. I'm assuming it includes, breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks. Do you realize that eating the above meal 7 nights a week or something similar is $140+ a week That's JUST dinner. What about the other meals in a day? I agree with LB that people are almost justifying how the cost is the same. Yea people buy organic and it does cost more, but what about buying local? Are we NOT in the optimal season to start buying from local people? Is an organic meal of boneless skinless chicken breast, a huge salad all organic and organic veggies more...yes I don't think many will disagree. The point is I don't know many that are that strict with their diet that eat the above a lot. The way I took it was for the people that say ff is cheaper and don't cook a lot because of that. This group is not generally the organic group so yes grocery costs would be less. To be honest though shows like extreme couponing make me angry. IMHO a diet of nothing but boxed, processed food is not different then ff, but that's a personal opinion.
Edited to add that I would disagree with you that the dollar chicken sandwich is an actual sandwich. It might have "chicken" in it, but anything that doesn't mold or is so chemically engineered that in 20 years it looks EXACTLY the same is not real food that should be ate. Do I eat it...yup I do on rare occasions. Do my kids eat it Yup they do on rare occasions. I'm not saying i'm perfect and everything is home cooked, but I am saying I know my food budget allows me to eat and feed my family well BECAUSE it's a real food budget. I could never afford to buy ff as a staple in our diet. Again, that is what I feel the article was demonstrating. Full time ff use as cheaper then home cooking.
Message edited 6/17/2012 12:06:09 PM.
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| Posted 6/17/12 12:02 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by medic6809
Posted by JennP
Posted by headoverheels
Come on people. You're ignoring the point of this graphic. Or are you trying to make it seem like it's a better idea to eat fast food? Why so nit-picky? It's basic common sense that cooking at home is healthier and if you shop responsibly then yes, cooking at home IS cheaper unless you only shop at Whole Foods.
I am pretty sure no one at any point said that they disagree with the essential point of the comparison.
There are a lot of analytical minds on here. If something like this gets posted, it's going to be examined from all sides. I wouldn't call it nit picking; I think that's what makes for interesting discussions.
I think when those articles are posted that allege that fast food is cheaper, I think they are talking about different things. Yes, the meals are expensive, but there is an actual chicken sandwich on the dollar menu at McDonald's. Not nuggets or a mini sandwich, but a regular sandwich. Yes, I know this because I hit the place once a week as a treat and no, I don't feel guilty about it. I am not sure what kind of chicken it is, but I'm sure it's not grilled.
There is a huge socioeconomic factor too. I work in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn and ALL there is is fast food. Not Panera or Chipotle - true, artery clogging fast food. I would love to read about a study that examines why this is. I have theories, but I'm too tired to write about them, and they'll probably p*ss someone off.
So no, I don't think it's cheaper to eat fast food, but I think it CAN be very cheap. And no, I don't think the home cooked meal posted is all that healthy. Show me some chicken breasts instead and some veggies too and then we can talk.
I respectfully disagree with you. Is the above meal the healthiest option...no, but you can't tell me chicken, lettuce, toast, and potatoes are worse then that McDonald's meal.
I never said that at all.
I believe you misunderstood the point of my post. I stated that I don't think eating at home is more expensive. My point was that fast food CAN be very cheap, especially when you don't compare apples to apples.
What I hinted at in my first post but didn't get into is that I think the issue is worth analyzing because I believe it's a public health problem.
My point with the chicken sandwich - which I didn't quote you on so sorry for any confusion - is that the perception is that there are items of substance for sale for $1. You might not like the substance itself - and I agree with you - but it's substance and can fill a person up. I work with lower income people in a poor neighborhood all day and I hear this stuff all the time. We debated Bloomberg's drink law at length in my government class. The perception is there that fast food is cheap, easy, and convenient, and the options available in these neighborhoods confirm that.
I am not saying the whole chicken meal is more expensive or less healthy then the comparison meal. I mean, I can read the numbers . My point is that it does not rock my socks as some standard of health. However, I get that it was supposed to be a direct comparison - potatoes v french fries, etc.
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| Posted 6/17/12 12:47 PM |
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Re: Interesting NY Times graphic re: the cost of mcdonalds vs other option for a family of 4 with Link to graphic
Posted by JennP
Posted by medic6809
Posted by JennP
Posted by headoverheels
Come on people. You're ignoring the point of this graphic. Or are you trying to make it seem like it's a better idea to eat fast food? Why so nit-picky? It's basic common sense that cooking at home is healthier and if you shop responsibly then yes, cooking at home IS cheaper unless you only shop at Whole Foods.
I am pretty sure no one at any point said that they disagree with the essential point of the comparison.
There are a lot of analytical minds on here. If something like this gets posted, it's going to be examined from all sides. I wouldn't call it nit picking; I think that's what makes for interesting discussions.
I think when those articles are posted that allege that fast food is cheaper, I think they are talking about different things. Yes, the meals are expensive, but there is an actual chicken sandwich on the dollar menu at McDonald's. Not nuggets or a mini sandwich, but a regular sandwich. Yes, I know this because I hit the place once a week as a treat and no, I don't feel guilty about it. I am not sure what kind of chicken it is, but I'm sure it's not grilled.
There is a huge socioeconomic factor too. I work in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn and ALL there is is fast food. Not Panera or Chipotle - true, artery clogging fast food. I would love to read about a study that examines why this is. I have theories, but I'm too tired to write about them, and they'll probably p*ss someone off.
So no, I don't think it's cheaper to eat fast food, but I think it CAN be very cheap. And no, I don't think the home cooked meal posted is all that healthy. Show me some chicken breasts instead and some veggies too and then we can talk.
I respectfully disagree with you. Is the above meal the healthiest option...no, but you can't tell me chicken, lettuce, toast, and potatoes are worse then that McDonald's meal.
I never said that at all.
I believe you misunderstood the point of my post. I stated that I don't think eating at home is more expensive. My point was that fast food CAN be very cheap, especially when you don't compare apples to apples.
What I hinted at in my first post but didn't get into is that I think the issue is worth analyzing because I believe it's a public health problem.
My point with the chicken sandwich - which I didn't quote you on so sorry for any confusion - is that the perception is that there are items of substance for sale for $1. You might not like the substance itself - and I agree with you - but it's substance and can fill a person up. I work with lower income people in a poor neighborhood all day and I hear this stuff all the time. We debated Bloomberg's drink law at length in my government class. The perception is there that fast food is cheap, easy, and convenient, and the options available in these neighborhoods confirm that.
I am not saying the whole chicken meal is more expensive or less healthy then the comparison meal. I mean, I can read the numbers . My point is that it does not rock my socks as some standard of health. However, I get that it was supposed to be a direct comparison - potatoes v french fries, etc.
I understand more now what you were saying, and I think we're at 2 different places trying to say the same thing. I agree we need more education. I also agree we need to get the word out to lower income families as well. It's disgusting the way ff companies and paged food is targeted at certain groups. Just gross. In our community our local farmers market just started a new program where they except food stamps/bridge cards and for every dollar you spend up to $20 they match you. So you can get $40 worth of food for $20.
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| Posted 6/17/12 1:30 PM |
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