Until quitting work six months ago to return to college, I worked for many years as a supervisor/checker in a major grocery chain in our area. It never ceased to amaze me at how few families actually purchased the basic ingredients to prepare meals from. Convenience foods are great now and then but a steady diet of Hamburger Helper, frozen dinners, other froze and boxed dinner kits, food from the deli department, packaged salad mixes is adding to the obesity/diabetes rate in our country. Convenience foods are filled with sodium and preservatives as well as being more costly than buying basic ingredients.

Are our buying habits what they are because we are lazy and enjoy the convenience or are they because so many people don't know how to cook from scratch anymore?

It was interesting to see what type of people bought what type of food. There is a direct correlation between what people bought and their weight/health issues. People who were overweight to obese generally purchased more of the convenience/fatty/high sodium/pre-packaged meals. Those who were of average weight and more health conscious purchased fresh and frozen vegetables, leaner cuts of meat and basic items from which to prepare healthier meals.

One of the first places to save on groceries is to eliminate as much of the convenience foods as possible and prepare meals from basic ingredients.

For example, a terrific Alfredo sauce can be made with milk, butter, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder and grated Parmesean cheese--ingredients most of us have in our kitchens. Cooking from scratch can be a rewarding hobby--healthier meals, smaller grocery bills and a great sense of satisfaction from being creative.

kle, that would be a job of interest to me. I always glance into shopping carts. I am almost always surprised at contents.

I guess Mrs. Cleaver was the last of our generation to cook from scratch and to be responsibility for providing healthy meals and nutrition to the entire family.

Great observations. Thanks.

I must agree, also having spent time in the industry & the Art. I find my self and family buying to many of the quick fix food. I believe if we went back to basic cooking and fresh foods we as a nation would not have the health problems. I ask Just go back too the 50/60's and see how many people were that large.

Sacrificing health and a high national obesity rate are the price we pay for convenience and abundance.

leefoster, let's count up today how many have worked first hand in this field. Thanks for your post.