As a mother of three boys, I know firsthand the value of convenience. I was easily described as a very involved mom, carting my three boys all over town making certain they were where they needed to be every single day. Our constant non-stop lifestyle dictated me to practice two major things; time management and financial efficiency. If I failed at one the other would suffer. Thus enters the “value” menu: A simple fast and hot meal that I could purchase for next to nothing. Regardless of where my path led me, I could pop in and pick up an affordable breakfast, lunch or dinner in less time and for less money than I could ever spend both ways. The “toy” that came with it was just an added bonus and enticement for my little one to “clean his plate” (so to speak). At the time, I was extremely grateful for the thoughtfulness put behind the efficiency of this menu. But as I grew past the hectic speed of my early motherhood years I now realized how duped I was into believing in this way of thinking and how it planted a seed of behavior that is harder to break than we realize.
When I look back in retrospect I see more clearly how anyone can be drawn into the pressure of the “feed me now” mentality. Most of us lead very busy, time poor lives that absorb us on many levels. The truth is had I taken five minutes out of my day and packed a quick peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread, an apple and a bottled water in a brown paper bag, my kids would have had a healthier meal for the same value. Even the time it took me to plan ahead was far less than the time it took me to process through the fast food chain experience. That “ah-ha” moment only occurred after I actually timed the experience (it takes about 8 minutes to pull into a fast food parking lot and leave with the meal in your possession). Not only was I deceived into believing that I was buying convenience and affordability, I was unaware that I was investing into future health and habit problems my kids would inherit, perhaps for a lifetime.
Current statistics predict that by the year 2020, 50 percent of adults in America will suffer from Type II Diabetics, mostly brought about through poor nutrition (http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/news.aspx?id=36df663f-f24d-443f-9250-9dfdc97cedc5). And what’s at the core of this problem? Amongst other things, affordable convenience. But just how “affordable” is convenience? Good question. Here’s my answer.
Healthcare costs: Since a value meal provides very little nutrition, we can depend upon it to produce no real value. Our body requires efficient balanced fuel. When we deprive our body of the nutrients/vitamins it needs from natural food we rob our body of the return on our investment. Before any insurance kicks in, the cost of a doctor visit (before any tests or treatments are given) starts at $40.00, escalating upwards of $100.00 or more post blood work, etc., is provided. Even the common cold turned infection can easily set you back $100.00 (not including cold meds), based upon the battery of tests you receive to determine the exact problem (is it a virus/infection/flu, etc?). When our body can’t fight off infection naturally (through our own God given anti-bodies, built/renewed through nutrition) we eventually pay for it in the end. Even if I travel the over the counter drug medication route, I spend way more than any value meal menu cost, combined. Just add up all those .99 cent meals in comparison to your health bill and you’ll see what I mean.
Roller coast cravings: Salt cravings beget sugar cravings. Most fast food meals (from food to drink) are packed full of two things; sodium and high fructose corn syrup. That is why it is so hard for us to feel “satisfied” for very long after eating our “not-so-much” happy meal. When this happens, what do we usually do? Eat some more. Now, our .99 cents becomes more like $2.00/plus dollars within a short time later.
Paying it forward: “Breaking a habit” is one of the hardest things we will ever have to do in the future. Once we invest in a mentality that says, “I gotta have it fast and now for less” we pay that thinking forward every time we reinvest, via fast and/or junk food. Not only do we invest in short term results (i.e. satisfying our immediate hunger) we get very little in return. Our energy levels plummet, our wellness suffers and our guilty pleasure hangs over our belt loops like a bad reminder.
If you have found yourself in my former shoes, here’s the good news: Healthy change costs nothing but pays huge rewards. The time you’ll save (five minutes versus eight) alongside the dollars you’ll save (.99 cents once versus twice) will both result in a greater return on your investment in the long run (looser fitting waist lines and lessened roller coaster cravings).
Quick Tips for Wellness: Set aside a few extra minutes each day to plan for your wellness and your pocketbook will thank you for it at the end of each day!
Quick Tips for Wellness, Pat Ferguson, Copyright © 2011, All Rights Reserved
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