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A Tax on Fries?

by Allison J. Cleary, Eatingwell.com

What would happen if unhealthy foods suddenly took a price hike? If a burger came in at $3 but a fruit salad bought for only $1.25?

With a eye toward changing the uneven pricing scale, Kelly Brownell, a behavioral psychologist at the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders, thinks that a tax on unhealthy foods could make a difference in how much people ate them. Opponents have dubbed the proposal the “Twinkie Tax” and harshly criticized Brownell for attempting to limit consumer choice. Brownell sees it as simply leveling the playing field.

“Economics are an important driver of human behavior,” Brownell reasons. “The problem is that the economics of food are the reverse of what they need to be: healthy foods costs more and unhealthy foods costs less.”

Subsidies explain a large part of the price discrepancy, says public-health experts. The farm subsidy bill directs $100 billion per decade to commodities like corn, used both for fattening beef cattle and to make high-fructose corn syrup, a major ingredient in soft drinks. Some suggest the subsidy creates a reverse tax on healthier foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, that are more expensive to produce and receive very little from the subsidy program.

“If you were starting the world from scratch you’d want to have healthy foods inexpensive and unhealthy foods cost more as a disincentive to buying them,” Brownell says. Some states have experimented with taxes on unhealthy foods and found that a tax of 7 to 8 percent affects consumption. In fact, taxes have significantly affected the use of cigarettes and alcohol.

The list of Brownell would tax starts with soft drinks, followed closely by fast foods. “The money you could raise from just taxing those could be enormous,” he says. “ If you taxed one penny for every soft drink sold in this country, you’d raise $40 billion a year.” Brownell envisions nutrition education, promotion of public exercise programs and healthy foods, and money for obesity-prevention treatment programs.

Each year, 350,000 Americans die from obesity-related illnesses. 65% of the U.S. adult population is currently overweight. Excessive weight is a major cause for sleep apnea and Type 2 Diabetes.

Fast-Food Survival Tips

Beverages : Opt for natural juices or water

Skip the breading : Grilled chicken is always a better choice than anything coated or deep-fried.

Mind you fries : Reduce one of the worst sources of calories and trans fat by skipping the fries.

Watch the salad dressings : Often half a pack is plenty as dressings are high in calories, fat, and sodium. Opting for olive oil and balsamic vinegar is the better choice.

Hold the mayo : Avoid toppings and sauces is an easy way to save fat and calories.

Seek out the veggies: Some fast-food chains offer more veggie choices.

Eat like a kid : Choose drinks and meals from the children’s menu fro smaller portions. The bigger the sandwich, the bigger the fat and calories!

Be informed : Check out the Nutritional Facts sheets and online menu calculators that many chains now offer.