First, they came for the smokers...

I *so* saw this coming. I told people who supported smoking bans, "Wait, they'll be coming for your french fries soon!"

Taxing food to eliminate fat people

So I sit here, 350 pounds, and roll my eyes. Next to me on my desk is my lunch. A cup and a half of curry quinoa salad. (quinoa, shredded carrot and zucchini, curry vinaigrette, and dried cranberries - yum!)

Anybody who has seen a teenage boy or young man in his early twenties eat knows this is bull. My ex-husband invited a couple of co-workers over for dinner once when we were first married. Between them they ate a week's worth of groceries. I was in awe. I, on the other hand avoid "all you can eat" specials because I feel like I don't get my money's worth.

There is good evidence that fat people eat no differently than thin people. Sandy Szwarc is my all-time favorite blogger because she analyzes all the studies and press releases that come out, with a view toward understanding what is really true and what is hype. She blogs at Junkfood Science .

Here are some highlights regarding food and fat

Starvation does not make you thinner in the long run

also here

Why junk food taxes are pointless and "healthy eating" is overrated.

Life is hard enough for fat people. Chairs are too small. Bathroom stalls are too. Clothes are expensive, when you can find them at all. For some reason, it's relatively easy to find 5x t-shirts, but extremely hard to find something to wear to work. Fat people don't work? And airlines are charging us double.

Funny thing is, all the "junk food" taxes would hardly affect me at all. I buy potato chips about once every three months or so. I just generally prefer healthy food, and it's cheaper anyway. (hence the quinoa) I worry more about this tax idea as it relates to personal liberty and stigmatization of fat people than that it will cost me money.

If they start taxing vegetables, fruit, and pasta, though, I'm in trouble!