Commentary: A fat tax is a healthy idea

**Trionix** · 11-02-2009 07:57 AM

Junk food gives you depression:

Eating junk food can make you depressed, doctors have warned.
Those who regularly eat high-fat foods, processed meals, desserts and sweets are almost 60 per cent more likely to suffer depression than those who choose fruit, vegetables and fish.
Researchers claim their study is the first to investigate the link between overall diet and mental health, rather than the effects of individual foods.

Dr Eric Brunner, one of the researchers from University College London, said: 'There seem to be various aspects of lifestyle such as taking exercise which also matter, but it appears that diet is playing an independent role.'

Read more: How junk food diet 'can give you depression' | Mail Online

...and junk food is possibly as addictive as narcotics:

A diet of burgers, chips, sausages and cake can prompt your brain to crave more high-sugar, high-fat, high-salt foods, according to new research reported in the Daily Telegraph.Over time, bingers learn to substitute these empty calorie noshes for happiness, and they may become addicted.
"You lose control," Dr. Paul Kenny, the neuroscientist who carried out the research, told the British paper. "It's the hallmark of addiction."
The study is said to be one of the first to state that the brain reacts to junk food similarly to drugs.
"This is the most complete evidence to date that suggests obesity and drug addiction have common neuro-biological foundations," Paul Johnson, Kenny’s colleague, told the Daily Telegraph.

Binging on junk food encourages addictive behavior: study

I'm willing to spend a few extra pennies to avoid that shit, thank you. And as for the parents who fill their children with junk food on a daily basis... when it comes down to it, they should be treated as the criminals they are.

But then of course, while I might be more willing to part with money, unfortunately our government is not, being as each child in Britain receives, on average, 37p per day for a school dinner.

37p.

That is half what we spend on prison meals, and 20p less than what we spend on army rations.

I ask you.

**Tia** · 11-03-2009 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by Syco

On a side note, if your fat ass takes up two plane seats, you can pay for it, unless you're situation is medical, not because you can't keep away from that third tub of Homer Hudsons Chocolate Icecream. Mmmm.

So, I totally agree with you, except for the "unless your situation is medical" bit-- not because I think those with medical situations can go fuck themselves, but because how exactly would that be enforced? Would people have to provide certificates from their doctors stating that they have a med problem? I can't see a distinction like that working..

At any rate, I oddly can see the sugar-addiction thing being true. I try to eat whole grains and fresh things as often as possible, but I do also have a huge sweet tooth and love fatty meats like salami and bacon. I'm half fatass, half health nut. Sometimes I just get huge cravings for chocolate or potato chips or bacon or fries, but only rarely do I get cravings for a piece of fruit or a salad, even though those taste good, too. Very interesting. I keep telling myself I'll stop eating so much crap, but.. stressed-out college life is not conducive to lifestyle change..

Did you know that most bread has high fructose corn syrup now?! That's disgusting. No reason to sweeten up bread that much, it's bread.

**cerel** · 11-03-2009 04:07 AM

So why haven't we banned snickers and kit-kats which have been my enemy this whole month. There's been a study, that's more credibility than the e-cig ban.

**Gosu** · 11-03-2009 04:40 AM

Nanny State bullshit. Health education is a much better option.

**Gutter** · 11-04-2009 11:11 PM

um im just wondering what would happen to the hot dog eating contest guys.

**Brewtality** · 11-05-2009 06:28 AM

Maybe the hot dogs could be sent to people who can't afford to eat. It's a bit fucked up don't you think that there are plenty of people living in poverty or living on the streets in the USA at the same time that there are people who make a fucking living out of gorging on food they don't need.

**Ghetto Onion** · 11-05-2009 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Brewtality

Maybe the hot dogs could be sent to people who can't afford to eat. It's a bit fucked up don't you think that there are plenty of people living in poverty or living on the streets in the USA at the same time that there are people who make a fucking living out of gorging on food they don't need.

Word.

Why do we throw away vast amounts of food? | Environment | guardian.co.uk

**Gutter** · 11-06-2009 12:26 AM

the us army sends the food thats not ate to pig farmers hehe gotta have good pork

**Brewtality** · 11-06-2009 10:57 AM

Well that's an illustration of how you don't matter unless you're contributing to the economy. Why the fuck should all of this food go to the hungry when we can give it to farmers who pay taxes?

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