Eat your heart out

   While I am eating a homemade chicken salad for about $5, the homeless man on the street is eating a 1,400-calorie burger combo that he bought for $7 with his government issued EBT card.
  California has recently joined the club as the 50th state in the union to convert traditional food stamps into electronic funds similar to ATM cards. While the cards were initially intended for the elderly and disabled who cannot cook their own hot meals, the homeless and welfare recipients have been issued the cards as well.
   The Food Stamp Restaurant Meals program has gained mass popularity across California, and fast food companies like KFC and Carl’s Jr. are accepting EBT payments for greasy, artery clogging burgers and fries.
   Yes, it’s great that they’re getting government assistance, but why are they limited to unhealthy fast food?
The government is taxing junk foods and unhealthy luxuries like tanning. The government is urging citizens to live healthy lifestyles and teaching children to eat right at school.
   The EBT restaurant program will result in unhealthy people in urban developments, and will in the long run be just another bill for the taxpayers. The rate of obesity is highest among welfare recipients, so if they will be using tax dollars for unhealthy foods and healthcare, it isa conflicting policy. This is another example of government handouts that will begin a trend of entitlement to new generations.
   Carl’s Jr. is one of the most unhealthy fast food chains in the nation. The Guacamole Bacon Six Dollar Burger packs a whopping 1,040 calories and 70 grams of fat. By accepting EBT cards for these meals, fast food chains are accepting tax dollars, and increasing the risk of weight-related diseases. 
   If the government is so concerned about people’s health, they should only allow nutritious products to be purchased with the EBT cards. Go to the market and get an instant salad, or a few apples — not a burger.
   Fresh produce increases cognitive abilities. Translation: people in bad situations will have the motivation and energy needed to get up, get a job and contribute to society.                         
   While eating your fruits and vegetables may not increase your IQ, it will help you improve your memory and boost your brainpower. 
   The California Women, Infants, and Children assistance program provides checks to participants that can only be used by WIC approved vendors. These vendors supply people with produce, dairy, whole grains, and other healthy food choices. They have found that by supplying people with healthy foods, those women and children grow to be healthy and productive citizens.
   The faster people can get off government aid programs, the better off we’ll all be — socially and financially. We should be doing everything we can to help people make better choices in their lives, and encouraging healthy diets is a good place to start.