What The World Eats?

[SOPi_Jawbreaker]

"What The World Eats?" Slideshow

I thought this was really interesting. The first thing that struck me was the disparity between Chad and the US.





But beyond that, it was also interesting to see what kinds of foods are consumed in other wealthy nations, like Japan, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain.

I'm going to have to look for this book the next time I'm at Barnes and Noble.

[AlexMack]

That was really interesting. The British family representation was horrible though. Favourite foods included a mayonnaise sandwich? That's absolutely foul. And most of that picture was chocolate and biscuits (cookies to you). That family eats total junk.

And the totals on food spent per week. Do people really spend that much? Like over $300 a week on food? for a family of 4? My mum used to be able to spend $250 on food for 6 people for 2 weeks.

[OneTimeSBX]

well i learned a few things...
a. coca-cola is everywhere lol!
b. americans (and sorry Brits) have awful eating habits. nearly every other country had an abundance of breads, fresh meats, and veggies. all the US/UK food was prepackaged...
c. people spend either a whole lot or very little on food. $300+ a week on food? what the hell?
d. some other countries definately value family a bit more...there were 12 family members for the Egyptian family! looked like in-laws and everyone else up in there!

[Soliloquy]

Originally Posted by OneTimeSBX

d. some other countries definately value family a bit more...there were 12 family members for the Egyptian family! looked like in-laws and everyone else up in there!

Middle-eastern and asian families do value generational unity a great deal.

Generally, the family will reside within the paternal household. New wives move into the homes of their husband's family. However, it isn't uncommon for new couples to get their own homes once they have the financial basis to do so. Really just depends on the family and how well they get along.

My father's house in his homeland has 3 generations living in it, soon to be 4! I grew up with family members consistently living with us. In fact, until I moved out, it was my mother, father, myself, my aunt, my uncle and their two daughters sharing a house together. While it was hectic at times, I loved every minute of it!

Just different cultures

[AKA_Monet]

The US food supply is highly processed to feed the millions across the US. We also have imports of fruit and vegetables. We treat our food some kind of way either "frankenfoods" or "organically". And we can purchase anything we desire.

I do think we all have a problem with our desires for various unhealthy foods. And the chemicals cause us to gorge these foods. And it is not the entrees and sides. It may be the butter, oils and some spices. The extras...

[AOII_LB93]

I've grown up in the USA my whole life and there has never been that much processed food in my house ever...there isn't now. There is also no soda. I guess I must eat much healthier than the avg. American. That's a lot of money to spend on food...one family spends $500 a week? Yikes!

My food resembles the Italians the most, without all the soda.

[epchick]

Wow the German family spends over $500 a week? That's crazy...

What my family eats is a cross between the "USA" representation and the Mexican representation. We have all the breads, tortillas, fruits and veggies that the Mexican family had, with all the "unhealthy" food (pizza, soda, etc) that the US families had.

[Phigirl04]

I spend about $200-300 a week on myself and to some degree my boyfriend. But I have to admit it's because of my diet requirements, I have Celiac Disease and the foods I can eat are definetly a lot more expensive. I have finally cut back on my grocery bills a bit by heading to the farmer's market this summer, I'll be really sad when the summer ends. I was really suprised by the overabundance of prepackaged, over processed foods in the US and UK households. I've always been surrounded by fresh fruits and vegetables.


And yeah I have to agree, Coca-Cola seems to be very popular worldwide.

[AlethiaSi]

all told, i prob spend 100 on food or so, including take out,etc....... but i'm by myself... my roommates and i eat each other's food from time to time too...

[Taualumna]

Looks like eating habits are a regional thing too. The California family's eating habits are healthier than the North Carolina family.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

Looks like eating habits are a regional thing too. The California family's eating habits are healthier than the North Carolina family.

Not by much, it didn't look like to me. While overall the NC family's counter seemed to have more junk food and less fruit, there was good and bad in both.

I can't for the life of me, though, figure out how the NC family spent $342 on food a week. My family of 4 spends about $100-$125 on groceries a week.

[Taualumna]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Not by much, it didn't look like to me. While overall the NC family's counter seemed to have more junk food and less fruit, there was good and bad in both.

I can't for the life of me, though, figure out how the NC family spent $342 on food a week. My family of 4 spends about $100-$125 on groceries a week.

I have a feeling the NC family orders in a lot.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Taualumna

I have a feeling the NC family orders in a lot.

Judging from the 2 pizzas, you may be right.

LOL, my kids would order pizza everynight if we let them. We tend to save that for "special occasions" or maybe when there's a babysitter.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Judging from the 2 pizzas, you may be right.

LOL, my kids would order pizza everynight if we let them. We tend to save that for "special occasions" or maybe when there's a babysitter.

There's also a plate of food that looks like a Boston Market plate. That would be over $20 for a family of four. Note too.. 12 pack of beer, several 12 packs of pop and LOTS of bags of chips. Probably over $100 just in that stuff.

The more pre-prepared stuff you buy the more expensive. When I shop, I look at all the pre-prepared stuff that would make life soooooo much easier, but then I figure out how much more it costs and, well, no way!

[sageofages]

Originally Posted by epchick

Wow the German family spends over $500 a week? That's crazy....

Did you notice how much beer and wine was shown there? Quite a bit, that adds up quickly.