The Food Stamp Program, now known as, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the U.S. largest food assistance agency, whose annual budget is $75 billion and is estimated to pay $4 billion in soda alone. SNAP was created in 1969 to help combat hunger and improve the nutrition and health of low income families. Indeed, the federal government is acting irresponsibly and contributing to Americas obesity epidemic by allowing SNAP participants to purchase junk food, such as soda and candy; furthermore, said agency would benefit recipients by eliminating the purchase of soda and candy, by continuing to promote and sponsor nutrition education and wellness programs and lastly, by the restructuring SNAP to resemble the Women, Infants, and
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Eliminate the purchase of soda and candy from SNAP funds intended to provide nutrition and not empty calories to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic related diseases. Restricting junk food enables SNAP participants to make better food quality choices because funds are made available to purchase food that is high in nutrition value. For example, a child who drinks a soda, consumes the same amount of calories as eating an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter. This snack is nutritionally based and satisfies hunger. The federal government would greatly benefit SNAP recipients and taxpayers by an expanded campaign that promote healthy eating, the benefits of exercise and making better lifestyle choices to prevent obesity and chronic related diseases. According to some estimates $4 billion is spent on sugary drinks and Center for Diseases budget for the prevention of related weight illnesses is only $650 …show more content…
Given interest in using Federal nutrition assistance programs to promote healthy choices, some suggest the food stamp recipients should be prohibited from using their benefits to buys foods with limited nutritional value. However, there are serious problems with the rationale, feasibility and potential effectiveness of this proposal…” The following are some of their arguments against food restrictions.
• No clear standards as to what is healthy or unhealthy.
• Implementing food restrictions would be costly and complex.
• No strong data indicates the SNAP benefits contribute to poor nutrition and obesity.
• Restrictions would only further stigmatize SNAP users, cause confusion and embarrassment.
• Variation of food products difficult to control and
Eliminate the purchase of soda and candy from SNAP funds intended to provide nutrition and not empty calories to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic related diseases. Restricting junk food enables SNAP participants to make better food quality choices because funds are made available to purchase food that is high in nutrition value. For example, a child who drinks a soda, consumes the same amount of calories as eating an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter. This snack is nutritionally based and satisfies hunger. The federal government would greatly benefit SNAP recipients and taxpayers by an expanded campaign that promote healthy eating, the benefits of exercise and making better lifestyle choices to prevent obesity and chronic related diseases. According to some estimates $4 billion is spent on sugary drinks and Center for Diseases budget for the prevention of related weight illnesses is only $650 …show more content…
Given interest in using Federal nutrition assistance programs to promote healthy choices, some suggest the food stamp recipients should be prohibited from using their benefits to buys foods with limited nutritional value. However, there are serious problems with the rationale, feasibility and potential effectiveness of this proposal…” The following are some of their arguments against food restrictions.
• No clear standards as to what is healthy or unhealthy.
• Implementing food restrictions would be costly and complex.
• No strong data indicates the SNAP benefits contribute to poor nutrition and obesity.
• Restrictions would only further stigmatize SNAP users, cause confusion and embarrassment.
• Variation of food products difficult to control and