What a Colombian family eats in comparison to:

msaucey says on Mar 14, 2008, 22:42:

Analyzethis..... Let's see... I'm probably the worst example..... But, I think I spent maybe like a $100 bucks a week, that was my mom and I... this also included eating out locally, since we were on vacation and were not planning on eating.... I'm sure that in Colombia it's much lower then $100 a week... Wild guess, $50?... no se.....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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Enrique187 says on Mar 14, 2008, 23:11:

pretty sickening the differences in those photos

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msaucey says on Mar 14, 2008, 23:25:

Hey, I remember seeing this somewhere else, I can't remember where.. I think there were a few more pics... Because I remember there was an Asian family and a Mexican family... I remember the Mexican family because they had like 20 2 liter bottles of Coke...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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adrimm says on Mar 14, 2008, 23:30:

Here are some others:

from http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=205442 .


Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City
Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25


Italy : The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11


Mexico : The Casales family of Cuernavaca
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09


Poland : The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27


Egypt : The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditur for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or
$68.53


Other great links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/7287793.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7284196.stm

The price of wheat has gone up 130% in one year.

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poco says on Mar 14, 2008, 23:42:

Interesting because the first two pictures have a lot of "stuff" that isn't food. The second picture is kind of sad. Where's the food?

I'd say the third photo (in the first group) is more typical of what Colombians purchase. If I had some gunny sacks I'd bet my week food would look about the same.

Soda drinks are only purchased for special occassions. I've never bought a bag of potato chips. We raise our own chickens, I'd say about half. Plus the Avocado tree is something that city folk don't have.

When I'm not in Colombia about $30 to $35 dollars per week is spent on food for three people. That's rice, beans, platanos, potatoes, cooking oil, peas, carrots, onions, fruits in season etc. Picture three pretty well covers the standard items.

When I'm in Colombia that number is at least $60 but we eat out a lot and purchase many fruits, chuzos, fried platanos, granadillas, mango slices, grapes, papaya, coffee shop breads etc from local vendors. Pitahaya prices went through the roof but some times I find them for sale on the street.

Guayaba snack. Fruit, lime, salt. Very tasty.

Sorry, no picture of a weeks groceries. Frankly, I can't believe I don't have one.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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poco says on Mar 15, 2008, 00:33:

Quote: The American pic is GROSS. Don't they eat ANYTHING that doesnt come out of a package, YUCK!

Someone might say something and it somehow gets stuck in memory,, forever. This was 1985.

A group took turns driving old folks to the grocery or drug stores. One day they decided to hire someone because no one had the time.

This statement was made: People have plenty of money but no time. It's just not the same.

So, the food is as you see in the second photo is easy to prepare, in a bag, heat it up, throw away the container, no dishes to wash and the people have plenty of time. My question might be,, time for what? Working to pay $1,400 per month food bills,, that's crazy.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 15, 2008, 01:47:

That first picture (germany) could've been taken here....just throw in a little hard flatbread and a salmon or two...

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Ekdog says on Mar 15, 2008, 02:29:

That American "food" is absolutely disgusting! Where are the fruits and vegetables? No legumes? No rice? Yuck!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 15, 2008, 03:08:

"Guayaba snack. Fruit, lime, salt. Very tasty." (poco)
Yes, I agree. Pesky little seeds, though.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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sloopskipper says on Mar 15, 2008, 03:24:

Seems the last I saw, in Panamá the average market basket cost for family of four, is about $240US, but that is per month.

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sloopskipper says on Mar 15, 2008, 08:22:

Or Holland Desi, with some herring and Gouda, Limburger, or Edam.

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jorgegdiaz says on Mar 15, 2008, 10:05:

I think we spend about $50 / month going to the grocery store (includes a couple of botles of wine and a 24 package of Polar) for 2 people. But we both eat lunch outside.
just the other day we went to a farm´s market to buy produce, and we spent about $5500 COP including fruit in season...

"To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."Robert Orben

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poco says on Mar 15, 2008, 14:40:

This was a good topic for a post.

Noticed some new pictures,,

Changing my opinion about my food in Colombia to EGYPT, last picture.

I'm guessing the photos indicate the number in the family. Egypt, Ten (with food) and the US Four (with no food).

FOUR = $1,400 per month, TEN = $300,, what difference. $30 per month per person in Egypt VRS. $350 in the US. Paying $320 per month, per person for WORSE food. Amazing,, no wonder the poverty level income for a family of four in the US hovers around $20,000 per year.

A picture is worth more than 1000 words.

Nice to know my Parrot eats better than many people. Being part of my sharing and caring project has benefits

Typical FRUIT covered Granola cereal breakfast eaten about twice a week. Apples are relatively expensive. You've got to shop to pay about the same in the U.S.



I made a list of Colombian food prices in 2003 based on my purchases. Might update and post link.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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robi666 says on Mar 15, 2008, 14:44:

I'd go and eat with the Sicilian family anyday.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 15, 2008, 14:52:

Too much white bread (the Sicilian family)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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peteyw says on Mar 15, 2008, 16:02:

The Ukita family in Japan appears to have the best eats for me..yummy. Add a few more leafy veges and I'm there!

Can someone tell the family in Mexico that Coca Cola is not a 'food group'...damn.

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poco says on Mar 15, 2008, 16:50:

Quote: The Ukita family in Japan appears to have the best eats for me..yummy. Add a few more leafy veges and I'm there!
Can someone tell the family in Mexico that Coca Cola is not a 'food group'...damn.

Amazing how many people consider coke a food. If I purchased that much coke a month it would require a separate budget.

The Japanese are a much better but sure enough there is ONE two liter coke,, kind of hidden,, probably a special occasion.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 15, 2008, 16:57:

Your parrot and I have the same type of breakfast, poco:))) Just add some rye bread and a café con leche ....

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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adrimm says on Mar 15, 2008, 17:51:

Did anyone check this out? It has some firm figures for things in different places:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/7287793.stm

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peteyw says on Mar 15, 2008, 17:53:

My hats off to Mrs. Aboubakar of Chad. Its so sad, but you have to hand it to her; she made the most out of that $1.23. She could give that family in North Carolina some shopping lessons.

On the flip side, Mr. and Mrs. Melander are forking over $2,000 bucks a month to feed a family of four in Germany. I looked closely and didn't see any Russian Caviar in that photo of theirs; so I have to wonder how much all that booze costs they put down every week?

Geez, I could almost feed the Klump family for 2 Grand a month!

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Monpirri says on Mar 15, 2008, 18:16:

Now some pictures of what Colombians eat.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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adrimm says on Mar 15, 2008, 20:37:

Monpirri, are these your photos? They are great! So colourful!

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Monpirri says on Mar 15, 2008, 20:40:

Yes Adrimm, they are. I took them on my visited to Bogota and Medellin last year. The last photo is from Mi Pueblito Restaurant in Houston.
Thank you.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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poco says on Mar 15, 2008, 21:21:

Quote: The last photo is from Mi Pueblito Restaurant in Houston.

Sure looks Colombian. Do they have Postobon in Houston?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Monpirri says on Mar 15, 2008, 21:28:

They have Postobon in New Jersey, New York, Florida, California, Texas and other places where there is a high demand.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Lisa Zee says on Mar 15, 2008, 22:07:

In that sacocho...... where is the beef????. Do you see how many carbs? WOW,1 platano, 2 yuca, 3 papa, 4 maiz, 5 guineo, 6 mas platano maduro, 7 arepa, 8 arroz!. that tells you how we eat, it looks delicious, but waaaaaay toooooo many carbs!.

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Monpirri says on Mar 15, 2008, 22:45:

Yes, Lisa it's sancocho de cola. Where's the beef? In several locations: visible at 1:00 O'clock positon and not visible at 5:00 O'clock.
This is a typical Colombian dish, Colombians in Colombia eat this normally, they are not into the carb analysis and yes they are not fat, obese or overweight and please don't ask me why they are not too many fat people in Colombia as the ones we see in other country.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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adrimm says on Mar 15, 2008, 23:00:

peteyw, food costs alot in some parts of Europe.. also I think that many Europeans place a higher value on organic food etc, which often can cost more no matter where one is.

Also while those Colombian things might be fried, they are made from fresh ingredients, not super-processed, additive-laden, mass-produced crap that occupies the boxes, bags & jars on the American table.

Colombians walk alot more in regular life. They walk to main streets for the bus, walk up stairs, carry kids around (not nearly as many strollers in Col as in NA), spend less time parked in front of the TV and more time out & about socializing, the lifestyle requires greater activity. Meantime in North America cities are designed for cars so we have to walk less & do less exercise. Of course this happened becuase people always prefer the easy way, even tho ultimately the easy way is worse for us.

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houstongal says on Mar 24, 2008, 14:37:

I'm reviving this post because the following article about Mexicans getting fatter reflects the photo above with all the Coke products.

Mexico now the 2nd fattest country, after U.S.
By Franco Ordonez, McClatchy Newspapers
Mon Mar 24, 6:00 AM ET

MEXICO CITY — Fueled by the rising popularity of soft drinks and fast-food restaurants, Mexico has become the second fattest nation in the world. Mexican health officials say it could surpass the U.S. as the most obese country within 10 years if trends continue.

More than 71 percent of Mexican women and 66 percent of Mexican men are overweight, according to the latest national surveys.

With diabetes now Mexico's leading cause of death, activists and leaders hope to renew efforts to crack down on junk food and other fatty-food consumption and encourage citizens to exercise more. But it will be a tough battle, as industry groups are expected to put up a fight.

No one knows better the country's affection for fattening foods than Lidia Garcia Garduno , who's run a fruit stand in central Mexico City for the past 10 years.

"People don't eat right anymore," said Garcia Garduno , mixing a drink of strawberries and pineapple. "Instead of coming here and purchasing a fruit drink, they prefer to walk across the street and buy fried pork chips. That's why so many Mexicans are obese."

In 1989, fewer than 10 percent of Mexican adults were overweight. No one in the country even talked about obesity back then, said Barry Popkin , a University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill professor who studies global weight gain. Experts were too concerned with poverty and hunger.

"It certainly snuck up on them," said Popkin, who's working with the Mexican health ministry to develop strategies to address obesity throughout the country. " Mexico has probably had the most rapid increase of obesity in the last 15 years."

Mexican Health Secretary Jose Cordova , who launched a new health campaign Feb. 25 , agrees: "We have to put the brakes on this obesity problem."

Some Mexicans say there's less space on an already crowded Mexico City subway because riders are getting larger. At a flea market in the south of the city, vendors hawk clothes brought from the United States made for overweight individuals.

Francisco Princegali knew he was eating too much junk food when he bent down last week and heard a tear.

"I ripped my pants because of the fat," said Princegali, who's 20, crumbling up a wrapper of sweetened bread he'd purchased from a vendor. "I think I'm addicted to junk food."

Princegali, sucking in his stomach, said that many of his pants were too tight these days. Some people are addicted to alcohol and smoking, he said: "My problem is I love fried chicken— Kentucky Fried Chicken ."

As in the U.S., Mexicans are living more sedentary lives. Studies show that they're eating more fat and processed foods, and fewer whole grains and vegetables. Foods— healthy and unhealthy— that once were unavailable now can be purchased at new modern supermarkets. In some areas of the country, it's easier to get a soft drink than a clean glass of water. The vast majority of Mexico City's public schools, and many private schools, lack drinkable water, Popkin said.

The national study also found that a quarter of Mexican children ages 5 to 11 are too heavy, a 40 percent increase since 2000.

According to the government's National Institute of Public Health , the consumption of soft drinks increased 60 percent in Mexico over the last 14 years.

Last week, children lined up to purchase soft drinks and potato chips outside their school in the center of Mexico City .

Virginia Soriano , 35, said it was difficult teaching her children good eating habits when they were flooded with advertising for fatty foods. Naomi, her daughter, says her favorite things to eat are McDonald's Chicken McNuggets and Coca-Cola. The 6-year-old sometimes pushes away her dinner plate if it has too many vegetables, Soriano said.

"She'll say, 'This has no taste,' " Soriano said. "She wants McDonald's or Kentucky Fried Chicken ."

Legislators have considered putting warning labels on junk food and taxing whole milk to encourage consumption of skim milk. Past efforts, however, have foundered, and some lawmakers have reported difficulty fighting powerful industry groups. In 2006, legislators voted down a proposed tax on soft drinks, arguing that it discriminated against the poor. Leaders hope that the growing concern over diabetes will lead to greater public acceptance of such efforts.

PepsiCo joined the education ministry last year in launching a new health program, "Living Healthily," that encourages more daily exercise and better eating habits. But consumer group El Poder del Consumidor, "Power of the Consumer," has accused the company of surreptitiously marketing its products to children.

Monica Bauer , a spokeswoman for PepsiCo International , said that the program, which includes a video game that teaches healthy eating habits, didn't include any advertising.

"We understand there is an obesity problem," she said. "We're trying to be part of the solution."

The health consequences of obesity include increased rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The Mexican Diabetes Federation estimates that 6.5 million to 10 million Mexicans have diabetes.

More than 70,000 Mexicans die each year from diabetes-related conditions, Cordova said. He said that the diabetes burden was draining Mexico's already strained health services and that if trends continued, the country's health-care system would be bankrupt within a decade.

"If we don't stop this, we're going to run out of money to treat the sick," Cordova said.

(Ordonez reports for The Charlotte Observer .)

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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poco says on Mar 25, 2008, 00:51:

Quote: Yup. You can thank NAFTA for that, among other things!

What? Does NAFTA hire people to stuff crap into peoples mouth and pour it down their throat?

Give me a break,, almost everything and anything is being blamed on someone or something. What ever happened to personal responsibility?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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