Hidden "Nutrition"

America had a serious freakout after the release of the famous Quackumentary, Super Size Me, which  documented the adverse effects of eating fast food.

Fearing every naughty morsel that ever passed our lips, we started pointing fingers in all directions.

Sure, it used to be considered "taboo" for employees to talk about what went in those juicy patties. Yes, we had to force them to distribute the Nutrition Facts, practically at gunpoint. Well, knowing what really IS in those "Happy Meals," I probably wouldn't want to share that information either.

While I do not think that our ridiculously expanded collective waistband is entirely the fault of companies like McDonald's or Starbucks , I do agree that they could have done more to, oh I don't know, keep their customer base from going extinct due to heart failure? That said, don't try to argue they were the ones who made you fat. Ronald, the creepy pedophile clown, didn't shove that burger down your throat - YOU did Piggy (though it's definitely true that sometimes there's not much choice in the way of available food sources).

There are new laws that have been created to try to essentially "save us from ourselves," through pre-treat guilt-tripping (via clearly posted nutritional values). It's true, I am less likely to indulge in a Vente Soy Chai Latte if I have the calorie count and fat content shoved in front of me. But does that mean I'll be giving those babies up entirely?
Pshhhh, dream on you skinny b*tches! Me like-y my SCL's.

Thinking about what I personally consume, with that defensive attitude in mind, I wonder if our addiction to "bad bites" has reached the point of no return. In all honesty, many American's don't really want to know what's in their food. A lot of us secretly wish that those nutritional facts had stayed hidden (as long as you didnt know, then it wasn't that bad - similar to how we joke that if it's free, then there's no calories). I mean, I doubt you've ever eaten a Twinkie and gone "I bet that was packed with protein and Vitamin D!" You know it's not diet-food.
We know how bad it probably is, and are afraid we'll end up having to give up our favorite treats.


But think about it - are you really going to eat health foods for the rest of your life, just 'cause a creepy blonde-moustached guy OD'd on Big Mac's, and barfed out his car window?

~Carolyn

ADVERTISEMENT ...ADVERTISEMENT....ADVERTISEMENT

The fast food industry "tries" to promote healthy eating by slickly using words such as "Real" fruits to win their customers over. From watching Super Size Me in the past, I know better than to trust these coorperations because the last thing on their mind is my health. As you can see here, these advertisements persuade us to think that we eating healthier just by adding "real" fruits to their ad. They acknowledge that obesity is a huge problem in our country, so by going "healthier," customers may not feel as bad while consuming their food. The only real fruit that may be contained in the smoothy is a single strawberry. They didnt say how many real fruits, it just states real fruit.  We buy into these ads which the product contains nothing but huge amounts of sugar. Oh, the commercial world.

-Fawnda

Location, location, location

You want a big grocery store? Does your neighborhood meet the criteria?
The truth is, if they don't think there's money to be made in your area, they won't set up shop there.
They don't care about the people, they don't care if we have them as a resource to acquire fresh, healthy food -  they care about their wallets.
They don't want to set up in a poor neighborhood, because they know that people there can't afford to spend $50+ on groceries every Sunday. They think that they will more likely be effected by vandalism and theft in those areas. That, to them, is the same as losing money.
Chain stores just love to move in when they see enough middle-class people gathered in one location. They can just smell the profit to be made.

These big-name stores are forcing most or the small locally-owned stores out of business, due to the lower prices and larger selection (though the products are not necessarily of better quality).

We spend our money, and instead of keeping it within the community, it goes off to some elite individual with 5 houses, a convertible, and a golf addiction.

Well, we should be fair - he needs our money so that his personal shopper can go buy his groceries.
Cause God forbid he go hungry.

~Carolyn

burrito truck

this is my favorite burrito truck, its located on a main street, at night time it be packed full of people sometimes even in the afternoon so i suggest if any body come here come with some people because you might problems with other people. even though its on a main street  and the food is really good i would say if i was 10 blocks away its a walking distant. :D

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

A side of Binge, but hold the Purge

Open campus lunch was a BIG deal for us. A taste of freedom, of independence (even if some of us spent our parents money till we got jobs).

The place to be?
The local gas station.
We'd go there everyday to stock up on Hot Pockets, Coke, Ruffles, and dip.

Our mission, and we chose to accept it, was to see who could eat the most junk without barfing.
(I usually won, just for the record, though I've had to occasionally sprint to the jumbo trashcan).

We thought "who cares? we won't get fat, we're young and have high metabolisms."

While we did start this as a game in celebration of our new life as high school students, as almost-adults, it resulted in some serious consequences. Not only did we abuse our developing bodies with vast amounts of sugar, salt, preservatives and carcinogens, but my friends and I also developed eating disorders from these poor eating habits. I admit that social pressures had driven me already to anorexia in middle school, but I never would have considered Bulimia until I had this experience.

My education did not properly share with me the darker side of diet. We learned about the colorful Food Guide Pyramid, but not about the psychological side of diet. We learned that we should not eat too much junk food, but not the true consequences of ignoring that advice. (Think about it - you tell a kid "don't open the cookie jar," what are they going to do the instant you turn your back? Eat a cookie.) And eating disorders, while running unchecked throughout the school district, were treated as something that happens to Others. How can you identify an illness if you don't believe you could have it?

Lack of education + poor dietary options = a life-long struggle against a disorder that was preventable.

~Carolyn

Hungry? Grab a Snick....oh wait, you can't afford candy bars

Everything in the Bay Area is so expensive these days that sometimes many of us have to go to extreme measures to make ends meet. Rent is so high, I've seriously considered living out of a cardboard box behind a friends' place. Minimum wage doesn't really give you a lot to work with, when you have bills to pay. The increase in public transit fees only makes our money situation worse, and then your stomach starts growling in rage at your empty fridge.

So what do you do?


Some of us have done the Poor-Mans Diet:
"wow, girl have you lost weight?!"
"yeah, cause I can't afford food."

others try living on straight rice and oatmeal.
Trust me, while these foods fill you up, they make you crazy. Eventually you NEED real foods with those almost mythical things called "vitamins and minerals," but you can't get much at your neighborhood corner store.

My last desperate choice was theft. Thankfully my dad has a garden at his house with the stuff we couldn't find...you know, FRUITS and VEGETABLES. I know that I'm really lucky to have that as a last resort....but having to travel that far to steal from your own parents so you don't get Scurvy or something isn't ideal. Having real healthy options in all areas, at prices that won't make you homeless is ideal.


~Carolyn

One Step At a Time . . . .

Food Security in Oakland is a huge issue. Many children are malnourished due to the lack of financial  stability and the lack of access. What can our community do to take a step in improving the problem? One

of the things I plan to continue to do is shopping at the local famers makets and supporting them. Also, I believe taking little steps to support our local markets will encourage others to see the significance of reasonable pricing. While I was exploring the farmers market, I made conversation with another consumer there. One of the things he mentioned was taking resposibility for yourself. He was right. Being strict on children and their consumption of junk.

Its obvious that the system don't give a F@#$%&* about our health and our well beings. We can to make little changes and progress. It starts with making a change in your household

 -Fawnda

Back Against the Wall

Many families in Oakland, Ca are greatly affected by the system. Living in one of the richest counrty in the world, why are children malnourish? Why is it a struggle to get access to nutrients or even food at all? When I was interning for a elementary school, I had an opportunity to build a relationship with one of my student's parent. I recall a mother saying, "When my back is against the wall, I have to keep pushing. The future is so blurry." I've been living in Oakland all my life and the poverty that I am surrounded by seems so "normal."  I never noticed there were so many corners stores than grocery stores and the over-consumption of food. Over-consumption of processed food that is. Adaption. I Adapted to a system that is not made for people like myself. But, adapting is not good enough.   --Fawnda  

"Work With What You Have"

One thing I respect about the communities in Oakland is that WE work with what is avaliable. It may not

be the healthest but where I'm from, being picky is not a choice.  Essential Food Insecurity is what many families in Urban Areas are facing. Due to the lack financial stability and access.

-Fawnda

 Majority of my best childhood memories were in West Oakland. While growing up, the closest grocery store was about 10 minutes away. Although Pac n' Save was the closest to my home, culturally, it did not have what my mom was shopping for. This picture represents the distance that we had to travel to purchase traditional ingredients. There were more than 15 corner stores but no markets. Mc Donalds, KFC, Donut Shops was no further than 2 minutes. Pak n' Save was located in Emeryville. In order to get access to what we needed,we had to drive more than 10 minutes. What I'm trying to covey here is that its a problem when there is only 1 grocery store in a community. Why is it that there are so much access to junk and yet, we struggle to just get fruits and veggies. It took more than 5 years to add a grocery store in West Oakland.      

-Fawnda

sounds goood, BUTT ...

Whole foods, Trader Joes and Farmer Joes offer organic foods that are recommended on a daily basis in order to maintain a healthy body. Since it provides and promotes healthy eating, why isn't it located in areas filled with poverty?Simply, these stores does not cater to people in poverty. It caters to those who are financially stable. It is not located in particular areas in Oakland for a reason. Most people are unable to purchase their food so what is the point of even wasting your gas going there. Again, we see the inequality of food distribution. -Fawnda

"YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT "

The Famous "Dollar Tree" store in East Oakland.  You can find clothes, house cleaners, school supplies, FOOD and so much more at the $.99 store. Here it is again, another cooperation that sells processed food to our community. "Everything's $1.00 or Less!" How can you beat that? Frozen processed food , soda and of course candy for under 1 buck, how can you say no?  If it isn't expired than its good to eat despite how unhealthy it is. Living on a tight budget, you try to save every penny. You are not thinking about the calories and cholesterol that is contained in the meal but instead if it fills your children stomach at night.

                                                                    -Fawnda     

"LOCAL"

  

Early morning on a beautiful friday in downtown Oakland, you can find many people out grocery shopping at their local famer's market. You can find a variety of food for a reasonable price. While I was looking around, I found deals such as 10 limes for a dollar, sweet fruits and veggies for a reasonable price. Its a start in improving our community and its access to "real" food.

-Fawnda

"IM LOVING IT" , "YOU CAN HAVE IT YOUR WAY"

No matter where we are or what we are watching, we are surrounded by advertisement. Many of us may not realize it but the commercial world has a huge affect on our lives. From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, we are persuaded by ads we see.Bodley mentioned in one of his chapters, the "combinations of urban life consisting of parent(s) working outside of the home and commercial advertisement  has increased  the demand of processed food and the convenience of "fast food." One day,jokingly, I asked one of my mom's friend who is a single parent with two  jobs, "How do you have the energy to cook after coming home from a long day and having to work in a few hours because after I'm done with school all I do is run to the closest food joint?" She simply just responded with "I dont. I wish I had the time to sit and have a home cooked meal with my children.cooking is not an option. That 45 minutes or 60 minutes that I am preparing dinner, I could be sleeping in order to get up for my next job. By  eating out, I'm spending less money than I would be spending at a grocery store." Eating out, she was referring to the advertisment that is consistently exposed to consumers on a daily bases. For example, Dominoes offer a medium pizza for only $6.00 or value meals at Mcdonalds for less than $5.00. "Fast Food" is a convenience because you order, drive through and pay all in less than 6 minutes. How can you argue with that after a long tiring day at work? Her story made it so real. We hear it about it but to here it in person puts things much more in perspective. Its not that they WANT to feed their children these junk but they have no other choice. Its the REAL WORLD that they are facing everyday. Dealing with being a single parent holding two jobs inorder to keep a roof over their childrens head. Corporations prey on families in urban area's such as, my mom's friend, because they understand the demand of cheap and "fast" food. Childrens health? Corporations dont care. Its where the money is.

                                                    -Fawnda

"CORNER" STORES

Why would people refer to a store as a “Corner Store”? Well, in Oakland, you will spot a store located on almost every corner. LITERALLY, on almost every corner. While riding around Oakland, within 5 blocks, I counted 3 stores. Making a left turn, what do I see? Another Corner store. What a surprise! It’s a shame how easy it is to get access to foods filled with nothing but sugars, salts and fats. Also, one thing I noticed this time while walking into a corner store from any other times was the consistency of children that are constantly coming in and out. When I was younger,Monday-Friday at 2:45, I would go straight to the store located at the end of block from my school. Each time, I would come out with a bag filled with chips because when I was younger, a small bag of chips was $.25. With a dollar, I was able to purchase 4. Realizing how easily I was able to get my hands on junk, its clear that children are being exposed to foods that are nonessential to their diet at an early age. This absolutely

will affect their health in the future and stats have shown that children living in poverty are at a higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Although it’s convenient to have access to a store located on the corner to satisfy our sweet tooth, but as a community, we need to realize that these corners store are going to cut the children in our community lifetime in half. Hot Cheetos, Lays Chips, Reese’s Cups, Grape Soda, Orange Soda and etc everyday will eventually kill our children. This is where malnutrition plays a huge role. Not getting the essential foods that are needed in our diet. That is the key issue that people in urban areas such as, Oakland, is facing.

-Fawnda

Two for one

Why is it that in poorer areas you're lucky if you find a liquor store that sells milk and string cheese, while in richer areas you sometimes find more than one grocery store within a one-block radius?

Do we really need that much food, that much variety in one spot?

Really?

Do we really need this much over-priced food, this much variety in one spot?

Really?
"Sharing is caring," so does this mean no one gives a sh*t about other people anymore?


~Carolyn

"Product placement"

More and more, businesses have been moving their focus to a much younger consumer base.
They know that it is very common for kids as young as 5 to have a weekly allowance, or lunch money, and that these children have not yet learned how to be financially responsible. They know these kids have not fully grasped the concept of "moderation," so why not take advantage of that?










For example, we have the new Mr. Greenbubble (which gets rave reviews, by the way) on Piedmont Avenue.


With a super cute name, and a logo that appeals more to youth consumers than adults, this bubble tea shop seems to be tailor-made to get pocket money from the elementary students. The inside screams "childrens'-section of Ikea," and the sweet drinks and yummy snacks are just what a 10-year old would want after a long day of being undereducated.


~Carolyn

Breakfast of Champions

 

Here we have one of the richest school districts in the Bay Area. 

We shouldn't need to worry about malnutrition, diabetes or obesity, right? We ought to be able to get good foods to help keep the children energized during their studies, right?

What's on the menu:

Super-sized chocolate chip cookies

Pizza 

Soda

Chips

Tater-Tots

All this delightful junk food served before noon by....mothers of the students.

You would think that if you had a choice in what your child is consuming in their school, you might want to consider healthier alternatives. At least lose the deep-fried stuff.

~Carolyn

$uckers

Big chains like Safeway and CVS want money.

To-Do List: 

1.Open store in "profitable areas" ONLY 

2.Pay the bare minimum to poor people to run the store 

3.Overprice items needed for everyday consumption 

4.Get helpless suckers' hard-earned money

(Oh good - they seem to have been very productive today.)

What can we do when they control the flow of our food, medicine  and other important products? Hell, does anyone else feel like their livelihoods are being ransomed back to them?

~Carolyn

E12th & 4th ave

this was a store created to replace the one that was burnt down for the third time. I don't know what was the reason whythe store kept on burning down but this store is one of my mother's favorite store to go to; it's not a walking distant from my house but it is next to a bus stop.

-Varaman

Foothill & E19th

something that just started in Oakland instead of just being  a regular corner store it has a combination of fresh produce, white & black T's, hoodies and beer/ liquor but that's not all now in all little markets they have A.T.M. machine.

-Varaman

23rd

i took this picture in the car because in this neighbor hood it gets kind of dangerous, if you get caught slipping around this store you might get rob or beat down or might get shot at.

-Varaman

22nd

I am not even going to lie to yah but all these pictures aren't that faraway from each other there only about 4 to 5 blocks away. this is what the community has to go to shop at and they don't have to drive to far.

-Varaman

"International Lao Market"

This Asian Laos Store was here for a long time Ive been going here since i was like five, they sell fresh produce, lottery, frozen food, fish, etc... i think personally that this market business is making profit because of EBT card. i don't know what the full name is but i call it food stamp card, its free government money for people that is on welfare.

-Varaman

Vietnamese Deli sandwiches

this store also just opened a while ago serving one of the most stinkiest foods but really good, i heard from other people comments while eating the sandwich there saying it smells but once they always ask for another piece.

-Varaman

Oakland Liquor

 

to be honest this corner store has a lot of bums and crackhead around the corner.i wouldn't walk here but i would rather drive there, usually there's a burrito truck in the front of there store but they don't make as much of profit because of the bums  and crackhead be messing around with the customer.

-Varaman

BLUE & GOLD MARTKET

this market didn't use to be a combination's market store it was just a plain liquor store but adapting to how other store become seeing that the competitors was making profit it change its name to a market and put fresh produce.



-Varaman 

Carmencita Restuarant

Just a year ago this Mexican restaurant joined my community. I haven't been there yet but i would like to try the foods. I am glad it did because it is walking distance and on a Main street.

-Varaman

"Market &Liquor"

As i step into the home of a friend of mines, this was the first thing i noticed. Oranges and Seagram. then the thought "just like every sign on a corner store". This shows that people really do take what they see and bring in into their homes.

-Varany

Vietnamese noodles

Pho Noodles, these noodles are eaten occasionally in my home. I eat pretty healthy and i do realize that i am privileged and i shouldnt take food for granted. knowing that, i should become more involved with the communites that do need grocery stores.

-Varany 

Got rice .?

Seeing commercials, and advertisements on television, when my sister sees her plate with "too" much greens she refuses to eat, and preferably want french fries or some other types of fast foods. This relates to my life because now matter how hard i try to keep my sister away from fast food restaurants, it does not work because as a six year old she whines and always get her ways. I blame the TV and the marketing companies for exploiting her to McDonalds and all that, then again i also blame myself because i let her watch TV.

-Varany

HIgh Dollars

"IS THAT PIGEON?!"
Nine course meals. Eating out of your comfort zone. food like this is not see anywhere around San Pablo west Oakland area. Someone from west Oakland who is close minded would most likely not try it just because its foods they have never seen before, I say this because food like this isnt cheap, even though it is just fried quail, stir fry and some walnut shrimp. People tend to stereotype Asian foods referring it to  cats and dogs. and crazy stuff like that. the only thing i can do about this is that i can offer some of my food to people that would eat it.

-Varany

"We ACCEPT E B T"

e

an A.T.M.  machine is now well known to people it accept almost every credit , E.B.T. and debit card,  having this machine also makes the store a target for thieves. this relate to our lives because people go to this machine everyday to pull out money to buy food and beverages.

-Varaman

"Fresh Donuts"

Fresh Donuts - made fresh everyday. These donuts are made and sold everyday.And it is a form of food that some people do rely on because it is within their price range. this affects my life because i work here and to see people eating donuts become regulars mad me realize that there isnt anything i can about it, i dont have the resource to feed everyone. and it saddens me to see the same faces everyday knowing that i can not help. this are this way because the community does not have a real grocery store. this image can show people outside this community what they have to eat. I cant do much i need to make a living too.

-Varany

Boiled Eggs

Another food rich with a good source of protein and vitamins for the community. Only 70 calories these eggs are also sold at Fresh Donut. Not dairy nor meat, but it is healthy and fulfilling. this is the way it is due location. educating people that Low income can eat smart and sometimes cheap. what can be done is to bring in fresh foods and produce to the area.


-Varany

Egg rolls

.50 Cent Egg rolls
Also sold at the local shop. Bringing in its own cultural flavor for the scale in its community, affordable for the customers and isnt so bad as cheeseburger. what should be done is bringing more diverse foods into the community and changing its diet. A bag of hot cheetos and a fifty cents soda is not healthy but is good.

-Varany 

Teriyaki Chicken

"TERRYAKY CHIKEN 1.50 DOLLAS"
@ a local donut shop on San Pablo& 33rd.
For a donut shop, it tries to bring in "real" food into its community seeing that location does not have a grocery around at all. Relating to the communities lives by before a a cheap source of food that is not processed. it is like that because it is in the "ghetto". this image can educate people by showing them that just because this shop is in west Oakland does not mean its community deserves to be served less.

-Varany

Eating how we living

Here we have an older man at park eating out of a paper cup. i do not know if he is homeless or not.

-Varany

Cheap foods are fun foods, as long as you're not allergic to rodents

Sure, this is an elementary school in an upper-middle class location. 

Does that mean better resources? 

Not when a school can save a few bucks buying cheaper foods, without anyone the wiser.

 In one of the few years I went here, we had an on-going contest to see who got the coolest animal parts in our hotdogs, on the rare days we got such a special treat.

Unfortunately for me, I never got more than vertebrae, but my friend found a rat skull - we all agreed that she won the game, hands down.

You may think of it as disgusting and unsanitary - "how can they feed this to our children?"

Honestly, the hotdogs were delicious to us all the same.

Just make sure to chew carefully, take out your bone-prizes, and finish your food happily - it's all you're gonna get.

~Carolyn

Disappearing Act

This small section of street has an interesting sense of mystery about it - as children we only see the doughnut shop in the middle, as if the "health store" is invisible, but at some point in our teenage years we suddenly notice the GNC and stop going here for sugar and start following our desires for better skin, healthier bodies, and especially smaller waists via bottled "miracle-cures." But this change in behavior only occurs after we have already become unhappy with our bodies - due, in part, to our poor diet that includes an almost religiously regular Saturday morning doughnut binge.

Would there be a need for products that give false promises for quick-fixes to our health issues if we focused more on the root causes of our widening waist-bands?

~Carolyn