How about some diet coke to wash down that lamb curry? Could you eat for a week on $1.23 dollars? Time magazine just released a fascinating photo essay, What The World Eats, that exposes families weekly food lot and expenses from around the globe.
Based on the book Hungry Planet, the pictures fired me up, so I had to share.
It shocks me to see the few bags of grain a family can survive on in Chad.
It shocks me to see the few bags of grain a family can survive on in Chad.
This reminded me so much of my travels in Thailand. I lasted an entire month on not much more than rice, veggies and small amounts of meat. Two handfuls of food max per meal. Delightfully simple and sustainable.
Now perhaps I shouldn’t compare a family in Chad where famine, arid land, and lack of clean water are norms, to the bounty of resources in South East Asia, but the point is we can learn to eat less. Not only eat less, but eat more whole foods!
Let’s compare! I’m kind of scared to.
Let’s compare! I’m kind of scared to.
Note the the American family shown in the photo essay. The North Carolina family’s dinner table is strewn with pizzas, cokes, McDonald’s wrappers, and frozen corn dogs. Almost every American junk food brand I can think of is nestled in their kitchen. A plate of grapes sits hidden amongst the packages. One plate of real fruits and vegetables per week!
There is not a doubt in my mind that processed, nutrient raped, high fat and sugary foods are killing us. Jamie Oliver showcases the exact same junk addiction in Food Revolution. Revealing the truth about what we eat in pictures and video is a start in the health overhaul. Remember, the body only recognizes real food.
I’m sure I’m not revealing anything you don’t already know about the standard American diet. We consume a ton of junk food, in a ton of wasteful packaging, spend a ton of money, and reap no health benefits. A lose, lose cycle. But, it’s not too late to learn from our neighbors.
In fact, the families from poorer countries, might be lacking monetarily but damn check out there feast of whole foods. Bhutanese and Ecuadorean families eat like kings on fruits, veggies, and grains. I just knew I was half Asian! My weekly ration looks more like a “poor” families. Why do I sound so stoked? Because I save money, eat nourishing food, and reduce my impact. It’s cool to be poor! You can be nutrient poor or monetarily poor. I’d rather be the latter.
Processed food globalization is another aspect of the essay I noticed. From Britain, to China, to South America, at least one or two American junk food brands are depicted. The more I travel the more influx of American products I see. Almost more so than in California!
Take for example my trip to Koh Samui, one of the islands off the coast of Thailand. I could still get my steaming cup of Starbucks coffee with my Pad Thai or munch a McDonalds french fry while lounging on a long boat. Our products have reached even the most remote edges of the world for better or for worse.
Take for example my trip to Koh Samui, one of the islands off the coast of Thailand. I could still get my steaming cup of Starbucks coffee with my Pad Thai or munch a McDonalds french fry while lounging on a long boat. Our products have reached even the most remote edges of the world for better or for worse.
The God’s Must Be Crazy is a must see!
The most important thing to remember is that no matter your monetary situation or global position you can eat healthy on a budget. You can eat less and live longer. One of the biggest comments I got after traveling for 7 months was “you’re so tiny!” “Did they feed you over there?” Let’s take a cue from our buddies in the rest of the world. Eat less, consume less, eat high nutrient foods and live longer more vibrant active lives!
We are blessed with abundance, now let’s not waste where others could benefit.
What has your experience been while traveling to other countries?
The most important thing to remember is that no matter your monetary situation or global position you can eat healthy on a budget. You can eat less and live longer. One of the biggest comments I got after traveling for 7 months was “you’re so tiny!” “Did they feed you over there?” Let’s take a cue from our buddies in the rest of the world. Eat less, consume less, eat high nutrient foods and live longer more vibrant active lives!
We are blessed with abundance, now let’s not waste where others could benefit.
What has your experience been while traveling to other countries?
Did you eat less? Was there a Burger King on every corner? I’d love to hear!
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