Eating better, less helps stay on budget

OPINION:

The nation’s food banks are being overwhelmed with long lines of people who don’t normally need the assistance, proof of the Biden administration’s failure to address inflation (“Long lines are back at US food banks as inflation hits high,” Web, July 14). Sadly, this is starting to remind me of the food lines my grandparents talked about experiencing during the Depression era. It is becoming increasingly obvious that this administration lacks expertise in economic forecasting (though many experts predicted this would happen).

The lack of understanding is forcing us voters to take matters into our own hands. We are using new approaches to take control of our food budgets, such as changing our habits and choices. I always wonder whether Biden officials ask themselves, “How are our policies going to affect the most vulnerable members of our society?”

As a nutritionist, I feared this would occur. I have stressed that the first goal is to categorize foods into “wants” and “needs,” and doing this I have demonstrated how a family of four can stay healthy and fed on $50 a week or $200 a month. Also, reducing your number of meals to the USDA-recommended three per day (and not the average of five to six a day) goes a long way. A family can save money by not having to eat as often because healthy foods satisfy the body for longer than less-nutritious items, and they reduce cravings for high-priced foods and beverages that provide less energy.

We should also consider changing our eating times, including cutting out late-night eating, which tends to cost more, and understand that breakfast is for energy, lunch is for strength and dinner is for relaxing. I suggest people consult with a dietician to create an economical model. We can’t control inflation, but we can control our food choices to combat it with education and discipline.

I’m sure the experts who miscalculated this in the past months are economically comfortable, with little regard for ideas that provide relief regardless of income status. If food-bank stresses are an indication of economic suffering, then the richest nation in the world should be ashamed of its efforts.

GREG RALEIGH

Washington