No Junk Food on Food Stamps?

Today’s Wisconsin State Journal discusses a proposed state bill preventing food stamp recipients from buying junk food with their benefits. The state representative who proposed the measure envisions a narrower list of approved foods, similar to the Women, Infants and Children  (WIC) program. The bill’s sponsor also suggested that additional benefits could be provided for recipients who agree to purchase “only or primarily” healthy foods.

The details of the plan are not yet specified, but I will say, given my limited experience in the past few days, that requiring food stamp recipients to buy only healthy food is unrealistic. Of the items I purchased, I’ve been most glad for the chocolate ($2.29) and instant coffee ($1.19). I could have bought three cans of vegetables with that money instead, but so far, I’m glad I didn’t. These little pleasures have made up for the lack of variety and interest in the rest of my weekly menu.  

Last night, at the end of a long day of work and child care, a handful of chocolate chips gave me the energy and motivation to accomplish a few more tasks before bed. The 1/4 cup of beans left over from dinner* just didn’t have the same motivational effect. Would the situation perhaps be similar for someone working hard at a second job, or studying late into the night for classes to earn a degree?  

Perhaps a percentage of food stamp benefits, say 10 or 15 percent, should be set aside for discretionary purchases and the rest required to be used for healthy food items. The logistics, however, could get so complicated that the change might not be worth the trouble. Who would determine and monitor which foods are “healthy” or “unhealthy,” and would the funding of these additional efforts be better spent on further direct aid or other antipoverty programs? 

But requiring 100% healthy food purchases just isn’t realistic. Anyone who has tried to stick to a restrictive diet for a long period of time may agree. An important part of eating is enjoying one’s food, and treats in moderation are valuable for all of us.

*which I saved in the fridge for other family members so it wouldn’t go to waste

No-Kitchen Food Stamp Challenge, Day 2

Here's what I ate yesterday:

• Breakfast: bread with peanut butter; instant coffee with dry milk powder added. (I thought the milk powder was a good idea in place of nondairy creamer; it's more nutritious, it's just as convenient, and it adds some protein instead of artificial chemicals.)
• Morning snack: apple with peanut butter.
• Lunch: oatmeal with dry milk powder and honey added; more coffee.
• Afternoon snack: banana, chocolate chips.
• Dinner: a can of chili beans over couscous. (I added salt and pepper, the only spices I'm using from my own supply, as in the previous challenge week.)

Today's meals will be pretty much the same, although I might have canned tuna instead of beans tonight. 

I'm already missing the vegetables in my diet. I just couldn't figure out how to make veggies work without using canned ones, and when I was weighing the cost for a can of vegetables versus the nutrition it would (or would not) provide, and the less desirable taste of canned vegetables, the veggies didn't seem worth the cost. 

Fresh or frozen vegetables, on the other hand, are impossible without a fridge to keep them in, unless I eat them the day I buy them; if I do that, then I have to eat the entire quantity in one serving. 

If I really want some veggies later in the week, I might "return" (actually, put in the donation pile) a can or two of beans and buy a bag of frozen vegetables, which I would thaw in hot water, or some canned veggies. But I will only do this if I have to grocery shop for the rest of the family, as I don't want to make any extra (and possibly unrealistic) trips to the store for this challenge. 

Vegetables, then, really are the most difficult part, at least for me, of eating without the use of full kitchen facilities and "without" easy access to a grocery store. 

Food Stamp Challenge, Take Two: Food Bloggers Against Hunger (Day 1)

I'm back! In an earlier post, I mentioned the idea of retaking the food stamp challenge but eating only food that could be prepared without a fully equipped kitchen, as a person living in a motel room might have to do. In honor of Food Bloggers Against Hunger day, I'm beginning that experiment today.

Here are the rules I've set for myself: $29.07 for the week. No stove, refrigerator, Crock Pot, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, or blender. I'm using only my can opener and electric kettle, plus plates and utensils for eating.

Eric and the kids are not participating in this challenge. I'll cook for them as usual, and any leftovers that would have been my portion will be frozen for future use or will become Eric's lunch for the next day.

I've already done my shopping for the week. Here's what I bought:

It actually adds up to $30.06, but since I was shopping for the rest of the family at the same time and had a cart full of perishable food for them, I couldn't go back to swap or put back items. Instead, I'll aim to have a can or two left over to donate at the end of the week.

A few notes on these items:

• Yes, there are chocolate chips in there. Not the healthiest choice, but I know I'll need to satisfy my sweet tooth to make it through the week.
• No veggies either. More on this in a future post. 
• Lots of canned foods. I'm trying not to think about all the BPA I might ingest this week. 
• On the other hand, the apples are organic, and the bread is preservative free (I hope it lasts the week!). They were on sale for good prices.
• I can prepare the couscous and oats in boiling water from the electric kettle.

These were not necessarily the best possible choices I could have made, but this time, contrary to my earlier food stamp challenge week, I did not comparison shop or spend much time planning in advance. I jotted down a list right before entering Woodman's and grabbed my items quickly.