7/16/2006
Yes, there are starving people
When we talk about the battle over portion control in the land of the plenty, sometimes we need to be reminded that plenty of countries don't have this issue. The Chicago Tribune reminded us of this in the editorial.
A delegation from the United Nations World Food Program visited the Tribune editorial board and convinced it to relook at portion control.
According to the Tribune, a typical WFP food basket contains cereals and oil along with possibly meat or fish, vegetables and fruit, sugar, and condiments. While the goal is to provide 2,100 calories per person per day, unfortunately in Darfur for 6 months last year, the agency was able to provide only half that ration. The good news is that the ration is up to 1,770 calories a day.
When you are battling between 1,500-2,000 calories for your diet, it's much easier to have that debate when you get a regular amount of calories. Getting 1,770 calories when you aren't used to that much food is a much more difficult physical struggle.
The Tribune editorial teases at the U.S. government reminders that a serving of meat should be about the size of a deck of cards, and a serving of rice or pasta about as big as a tennis ball. But it should be closer to that if for nothing else than to remind us that not everyone has it this good.
# posted by ChadR @ 7/16/2006 11:46:00 PM 
