WTH Plus size clothes for kids!?! vent

[The Dark Dancer]

I am a bit heavier than most girls my age (14) ...But just so you know, it is really hard for kids to be heavier; And I thought adults were mature enough to believe in the morals that "you can't judge a book by it's cover" but in this case, I guess I was wrong. Reading what the OP posted made me realize, not only do I have to watch out for criticism from the people I know and meet, but from full grown adults who may see me in a store or something.

I have about 5 good friends who range in sizes. 4 of them are tiny and the other is my size.

My tiniest friend who is thirteen weighs 90lbs. She is 5'5" and the one of the sweetest people you have ever met. She gets teased and harassed sometimes about "Being a stick figure" or "Being Anorexic". It's really very horrible. Sometimes she really tries to gain weight, but it doesn't come.

Honey, let me tell you, she eats 10 times more than I do and she does not participate in any sport.

I believe you should stop judging what's on the outside and begin discovering what's on the inside.

You may think me wrong, but kids are kids, and while I think it's good to teach good eating habits, it's also a necessity to realize that they are just children and they have the rest of their lives to worry over their weight.

You know, you're right. I'm just getting so frustrated when I see those families in the grocery store, in the food court at the mall or the plus size clothes in the store. It's an epidemic and I think it's incredibly sad for children to be put into that position by their parents. Obesity is unhealthy and it's just not fair to the kids.

Oh lord,

Note to self: if I ever see the OP to this thread in a grocery store while buying a bag of chips:

Drop the chips and run away frantically; Lord knows I don't want her to think that I have bad eating habits and that I'm ruining my life.

 

[nwdisgal]

Where, in God's name, did you get the idea that I ever said that? I have made it perfectly clear, 3 or 4 times in this thread, that I was not talking about children who are chubby, overweight or chunky getting ready for a growth spurt. And I NEVER said anything about medical intervention. I'm talking about children who are obese, because of their parent's lack of concern and lousy eating habits. I'm NOT talking about anyone else. I'm just angry about those parents who don't care enough to change their eating habits for the sake of their children's future.

Luckily you live in the Pacific NW with its great farmers markets in many of your counties and fresh produce available at affordable prices. Lousy eating habits are not always a choice for people. Sometimes it is based on what they can afford and what the types of foods they have access to.

 

[Rebel With A Cause]

Note to self: if I ever see the OP to this thread in a grocery store while buying a bag of chips:

Drop the chips and run away frantically; Lord knows I don't want her to think that I have bad eating habits and that I'm ruining my life.

*Picks up chips... and checks for more replies on this thread* aw:

 

[minkydog]

Where, in God's name, did you get the idea that I ever said that? I have made it perfectly clear, 3 or 4 times in this thread, that I was not talking about children who are chubby, overweight or chunky getting ready for a growth spurt. And I NEVER said anything about medical intervention. I'm talking about children who are obese, because of their parent's lack of concern and lousy eating habits. I'm NOT talking about anyone else. I'm just angry about those parents who don't care enough to change their eating habits for the sake of their children's future.

So it's okay to be judgemental about those children I wondering though...how do you tell those children are obese because of the parent's lack of concern from the kids who have Prader-Willi, diabetes, or large ancestors And how can you tell that their parent don't care?
Pretty big assumptions, I'd say. You are obviously doing a great job in the food department since your DD is so tiny. I'm sure it has nothing to do with her heritage or her metabolism.Just great food

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I am a bit heavier than most girls my age (14) ...But just so you know, it is really hard for kids to be heavier; And I thought adults were mature enough to believe in the morals that "you can't judge a book by it's cover" but in this case, I guess I was wrong. Reading what the OP posted made me realize, not only do I have to watch out for criticism from the people I know and meet, but from full grown adults who may see me in a store or something.

I have about 5 good friends who range in sizes. 4 of them are tiny and the other is my size.

My tiniest friend who is thirteen weighs 90lbs. She is 5'5" and the one of the sweetest people you have ever met. She gets teased and harassed sometimes about "Being a stick figure" or "Being Anorexic". It's really very horrible. Sometimes she really tries to gain weight, but it doesn't come.

Honey, let me tell you, she eats 10 times more than I do and she does not participate in any sport.

I believe you should stop judging what's on the outside and begin discovering what's on the inside.

You may think me wrong, but kids are kids, and while I think it's good to teach good eating habits, it's also a necessity to realize that they are just children and they have the rest of their lives to worry over their weight.



Oh lord,

Note to self: if I ever see the OP to this thread in a grocery store while buying a bag of chips:

Drop the chips and run away frantically; Lord knows I don't want her to think that I have bad eating habits and that I'm ruining my life.

Sarah, I just wanted to say this is a wonderful post. And so true!

 

[Christine]

Ummm. Yeah. It is truly shocking that stores would even entertain the idea of offering an expanded collection of clothing for children who don't fit into "regular" sizes. Yeah. Those misfits should never have the opportunity to choose from cute, trendy styles like "regular" kids. Perish the thought! You're indeed onto something here. We should start a campaign to eliminate the "EXPANSION" of plus-sized clothing for children. From now on, department stores will only be allowed to carry one style each of jeans, dress pants, tops, and dresses. This style, of course, will be a modified version of the old lady or the old grandpa collection--only difference being that they won't be available in as many colors as offered in the old lady/grandpa collection. This section of the store will be located either a) in the bowels of the store with dim lighting and posters of regular sized, happy kids which will shame the poor fat kids and inspire them to shed a few pounds; or b) in the center of the store where regular sized people will point and stare as the poor fat kids struggle to find their rations on the one shelf allocated for this department. If this doesn't cause sufficient pain to affect change in their eating habits, activity level, thyroid or metabolism, we could pelt them with size two jeans (cute, trendy jeans, of course) and drag their vile parents to the food court where we will take turns flogging them and threatening them with a full investigation by Child Protective Services.


Scary indeed.

Ummmm...nice that you can take a post and twist it around to fit your indignation.

No, I don't think stores should STOP marketing to various body sizes. All I was doing was agreeing with the OP regarding the fact that the expansion of plus sizing is an indicator of where we are going in society. Not that it should be stopped.

Okay, I've thought about it, but i'm just gonna say it.

Why is the subject of obesity so taboo?????

I think we are all adults and capable of discussing it without getting so insulting or defensive about it. Believe me, when I was a smoker, no one had any problem showing their disgust with me, shaking their head at me, and pretty much saying i'm trash. All in the disguise of saying "oh, it's bad for your health".

Obesity is a problem, and we can't deny it. Possibly there are more tactful ways to go about discussing this than the original post, but it still needs a discussion.

I also agree with this statement. I don't think I have ever seen so much defensiveness on a thread as I've seen in this one. I think we ALL know that 100% of overweight people are not at fault. But c'mon, we all read the reports (at least I think we do). It is very rare that a medical conditon will cause it. By reading this thread, you would think that the majority of us here on this site all have medical conditions. It's just not true. Yes, we are all built differently. I see that in my best friends DD's. One is such a thin rail that she could blow away and her older sister deals with a lifelong weight problem. Both kids fed the same diet. The "chunky" one inherited it from her mom, who thought she, herself, could never lose weight. Finally, when she was 35 and "figured it all out" she went on weight watchers, exercises a LOT, and has lost 40 lbs. Yeah, she does have to work a lot harder than I do to maintain her weight, but she is not the "big girl" she always thought she was.

Bottom line though is that the population, as a whole, is becoming large and it is showing up in the stores. I think it is wonderful that people have more options and I don't think anyone is opposing the expansion of clothing sizes for everyone. It's just one of those things that kind of hit you when you see Lane Bryant-ish clothing for kids--you know there must be a big market for them.

 

[ducklite]

Not sure what sized oranges you get that they are 4 to a pound. Try 2. The bag had 8 oranges in it. Strawberries go for a buck a pound in the summer here. Not sure how that stick of broccoli would feed people for 2 meals. I like to be full when I eat. I would rather die a few years sooner and enjoy myself anyway.

I guess I like meat on my bones. It keeps me warm in the winter.

Just for the heck of it, I took a look at my local Publix circular for this week.

They have four pound bags of naval oranges two for $4. Red delicious apples, 99 cents a pound. Dole premixed salad, 2 for $3. Chicken breast $1.59/lb, pork loin $1.99/lb. They often run cereal 'buy one get one' as loss leaders. (BTW--the nutritional content of sugared cereals is generally exactly the same as non-sugared with about 10-20 more calories per serving--in the big picture eat what cereal you like.)

Bottom line for under $7 you could feed a family of three a dinner of pork loin (1/2 pound of meat each), a generous serving of salad, rice, and an apple. Very healthy meal and no one is going hungry. The key is to shop sales. This doesn't even take using coupons into consideration.

Anne

 

[kristen821]

I think people are being so defensive, because of the way the op was stated. It was extremely judgemental. My kids are not overweight at all. In fact, I have the same problem with my ds as the op. My dd3 is a little chunky(not much) but ds was much chunckier at her age so I am not worried about it. So I am not offended because I have overweight kids. I am offended at how judgemental some people are. Just because you have skinny kids now doesn't mean they will always be skinny and just because you have overweight kids now doesn't mean they will always be overweight, but I hope every parent knows what effect comments can make on thier children. Even if you make comments toward other people that will effect your children and if the anyone talks like the original post to thier children they will grow up feeling they can't gain any weight and that would be an awful way to live. There are ways to say things and ways not to. If the op simply stated that childhood obesity is rising I don't think anyone would be offended, but if you go back and read the op it is very rude and basically states that parents of obese kids don't care about them and that I am sure is not true.

 

[kristen821]

Just for the heck of it, I took a look at my local Publix circular for this week.

They have four pound bags of naval oranges two for $4. Red delicious apples, 99 cents a pound. Dole premixed salad, 2 for $3. Chicken breast $1.59/lb, pork loin $1.99/lb. They often run cereal 'buy one get one' as loss leaders. (BTW--the nutritional content of sugared cereals is generally exactly the same as non-sugared with about 10-20 more calories per serving--in the big picture eat what cereal you like.)

Bottom line for under $7 you could feed a family of three a dinner of pork loin (1/2 pound of meat each), a generous serving of salad, rice, and an apple. Very healthy meal and no one is going hungry. The key is to shop sales. This doesn't even take using coupons into consideration.

Anne

You live in Fl. of course fruits are going to be cheaper! You can't exactly grow fruits and veg. in the snow so we have to pay for shipping.

 

[Christine]

I think people are being so defensive, because of the way the op was stated. It was extremely judgemental. My kids are not overweight at all. In fact, I have the same problem with my ds as the op. My dd3 is a little chunky(not much) but ds was much chunckier at her age so I am not worried about it. So I am not offended because I have overweight kids. I am offended at how judgemental some people are. Just because you have skinny kids now doesn't mean they will always be skinny and just because you have overweight kids now doesn't mean they will always be overweight, but I hope every parent knows what effect comments can make on thier children. Even if you make comments toward other people that will effect your children and if the anyone talks like the original post to her children they will grow up feeling they can't gain to much weight and that would be an awful way to live. There are ways to say things and ways not to. If the op simply stated that obesity is rising I don't think anyone would be offended, but if you go back and read the op it is very rude and basically states the some parents to care about thier children which in most cases is not true.

I see what you are saying but I guess I just didn't take it that way. I do think that all parents love and care about their children--of course they do. But just as so many people on this thread can point out that they know obese children who eat healthy and have medical conditions, I can point out the opposite.

For instance, there are two boys in my son's Tae Kwon Do class that, for children, are horribly obese. Both of them are so large (they are about 8 years old) that they cannot even raise their legs to do the kicks. I'm sure their parents put them in for some movement. I think they are beyond the point of joining any other type of sport right now. One boy, I know nothing about so I can't comment on his weight. The other boy, well you can tell his parents just adore him. Both parents are up there every night watching his practice, cheering him on (they are MUCH more interested than me ). Anyway, they always have this big duffel bag with them and when the class is over, the pull out snacks (lollipops, ring pops, skittles, etc) and give him some along with any of his other friends. There have been at least 3 times while I was there that his mom showed up with a Bundt cake. Of course, the instructors LOVE her because they can eat that stuff. But it has become obvious why her son is so overweight. Even if the only treats he ever got were on the nights he was at Tae Kwon Do (which I'm doubting so, yes, I guess I'm judgemental), then it would be too much. So for every kid that might be clueless as to why he/she is overweight, there are others where you can see exactly why they are. Judgemental or not, I believe this is the majority of the problem with obese kids--remember before you jump down my throat, I said OBESE. This is just one example that I see today. I've seen it before. Many parents use food as a means of expressing love and making their kids happy. Who doesn't like to see their kids' face light up when you say "let's go to McDonald's for lunch?" I know my kids LOVE it and I don't think they are any different from the rest of the world.

 

[Twinkles6892]

I am a bit heavier than most girls my age (14) ...But just so you know, it is really hard for kids to be heavier; And I thought adults were mature enough to believe in the morals that "you can't judge a book by it's cover" but in this case, I guess I was wrong. Reading what the OP posted made me realize, not only do I have to watch out for criticism from the people I know and meet, but from full grown adults who may see me in a store or something.

 

[ducklite]

You live in Fl. of course fruits are going to be cheaper! You can't exactly grow fruits and veg. in the snow so we have to pay for shipping.

We don't grow apples in FL. Our banana's come from the same places your's do--latin America. Yes, we've grow citrus, but unless you buy from a farm stand, in the grocery store the price is about the same. Using your logic we should pay more for cranberries (they primarily come from NJ and ME), cherries, peaches, pears, etc. And what about Maple Syrup? That's certainly not from these parts. It all evens out in the long run, regardless of where you live you will have some produce that you'll pay a bit less for, but some that will cost a lot more.

I grew up near Saratoga Springs, NY. Then I lived in Syracuse. Getting the picture? From there I moved to NJ. I always bought in season produce--which in the winter meant oranges and tomato's "SHIPPED IN" from warmer climates. I bought on sale (still do!) and have never had a hard time putting a nutritious meal on the table while keeping within a reasonable budget.

In the days that I was supporting the family while my husband was in school F/T, it was beyond tight, and I had to watch my pennies. It can be done, you just have to watch the sales and buy in bulk when you find a really good deal. I still do that--when I found chicken breast on sale for 99 cents a pound a few months back I bought about 12 pounds, which is a months worth of chicken breast. That's what freezers are for.

I also make my own bread, and pizza is made from scratch (although I can't make the pizza for much less than I can buy it at Little Caesars on $5 Wednesdays). I have an herb garden. I bought the plants and now just clip off what I need! One time expense, lifetime use. The plants only cost about $3 to begin with, a pack of fresh basil costs $2. That's pretty easy math. I didn't do so this year, but tomatoes can be grown in a container on anyone's door step, and canned for winter use. It's really not such a big deal, regardless of where you live.

Anne

 

[kristen821]

We don't grow apples in FL. Our banana's come from the same places your's do--latin America. Yes, we've grow citrus, but unless you buy from a farm stand, in the grocery store the price is about the same. Using your logic we should pay more for cranberries (they primarily come from NJ and ME), cherries, peaches, pears, etc. And what about Maple Syrup? That's certainly not from these parts. It all evens out in the long run, regardless of where you live you will have some produce that you'll pay a bit less for, but some that will cost a lot more.

I grew up near Saratoga Springs, NY. Then I lived in Syracuse. Getting the picture? From there I moved to NJ. I always bought in season produce--which in the winter meant oranges and tomato's "SHIPPED IN" from warmer climates. I bought on sale (still do!) and have never had a hard time putting a nutritious meal on the table while keeping within a reasonable budget.

In the days that I was supporting the family while my husband was in school F/T, it was beyond tight, and I had to watch my pennies. It can be done, you just have to watch the sales and buy in bulk when you find a really good deal. I still do that--when I found chicken breast on sale for 99 cents a pound a few months back I bought about 12 pounds, which is a months worth of chicken breast. That's what freezers are for.

I also make my own bread, and pizza is made from scratch (although I can't make the pizza for much less than I can buy it at Little Caesars on $5 Wednesdays). I have an herb garden. I bought the plants and now just clip off what I need! One time expense, lifetime use. The plants only cost about $3 to begin with, a pack of fresh basil costs $2. That's pretty easy math. I didn't do so this year, but tomatoes can be grown in a container on anyone's door step, and canned for winter use. It's really not such a big deal, regardless of where you live.

Anne

I don't have a sales paper in front of me but in the winter fruits and veg. aren't that cheap in Chicago. You rarely see a sale on fruits and vegetables i don't have a problem spending a few extra bucks on healthy food but low income families do and that is part of the problem with childhood obesity. Also, low income families can not buy in bulk. I can't afford to buy in bulk most of the time and I would be considered middle class. Pre-packaged food is cheaper at least here then buying things seperately. So some of the childhood obesity is from not being able to afford healthy food. Also, what is affordable to me or you is not affordable to everyone.

 

[kristen821]

I see what you are saying but I guess I just didn't take it that way. I do think that all parents love and care about their children--of course they do. But just as so many people on this thread can point out that they know obese children who eat healthy and have medical conditions, I can point out the opposite.

For instance, there are two boys in my son's Tae Kwon Do class that, for children, are horribly obese. Both of them are so large (they are about 8 years old) that they cannot even raise their legs to do the kicks. I'm sure their parents put them in for some movement. I think they are beyond the point of joining any other type of sport right now. One boy, I know nothing about so I can't comment on his weight. The other boy, well you can tell his parents just adore him. Both parents are up there every night watching his practice, cheering him on (they are MUCH more interested than me ). Anyway, they always have this big duffel bag with them and when the class is over, the pull out snacks (lollipops, ring pops, skittles, etc) and give him some along with any of his other friends. There have been at least 3 times while I was there that his mom showed up with a Bundt cake. Of course, the instructors LOVE her because they can eat that stuff. But it has become obvious why her son is so overweight. Even if the only treats he ever got were on the nights he was at Tae Kwon Do (which I'm doubting so, yes, I guess I'm judgemental), then it would be too much. So for every kid that might be clueless as to why he/she is overweight, there are others where you can see exactly why they are. Judgemental or not, I believe this is the majority of the problem with obese kids--remember before you jump down my throat, I said OBESE. This is just one example that I see today. I've seen it before. Many parents use food as a means of expressing love and making their kids happy. Who doesn't like to see their kids' face light up when you say "let's go to McDonald's for lunch?" I know my kids LOVE it and I don't think they are any different from the rest of the world.

You are judging what you are seeing which is a lot different then judging random people at the mall. You have facts the op did not have any facts. I can't flame you for that at all. If this post was the op I don't think it would get so many flames either.

 

[chobie]

So, the OP starts a thread attacking parents for having kids that wear plus size clothes and wonders why people are defensive?

This is not a thread about nutrition or the problem of childhood obsetity. This is just another one of those "I'm-a-better-parent-than-thou" threads.
I, for one, am sick of them. No one has perfected the method of childraising, we all make mistakes.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I don't think we have to lok any further than the title of this thread to see why so many of us are offended.

"WTH Plus size clothes for kids!?! vent" does not scream a warm and fuzzy "I'm so concerned about the health of the children of the world and lets all work together to help the little ones"

Rather, it screams of "I'm a better parent than you and you and your fat children should be ashamed of yourself!...I can look through walls and tell how pathetic your parenting skills are!"

BTW, I do think there's a growing weight problem in our country. God knows my whole family struggles with it continually (mind you, I said struggle, not give up and gorge). However, there has always been a need for plus size clothing. There just wasn't any available up until now. Children in the past were forced to buy ill fitting adult clothes or frumpy homemade clothes. Yes, there are more bigger children now, but not as many as the OP implies.

 

[ducklite]

I don't have a sales paper in front of me but in the winter fruits and veg. aren't that cheap in Chicago. You rarely see a sale on fruits and vegetables

Super Target in Chicago has apples 99 cents/lb, oranges $2.88/5 lb. with a pritable $1 off coupon, so $1.88/5 lb., Del Monte canned veggies 5/$3, plus a printable 30 cents off coupon, so 5 for $2.70. Looks like the same prices as I'm paying in FL.

i don't have a problem spending a few extra bucks on healthy food but low income families do and that is part of the problem with childhood obesity. Also, low income families can not buy in bulk. I can't afford to buy in bulk most of the time and I would be considered middle class.

You can buy in bulk, you just have to use a little common sense. Let's say you are planning on buying four pounds of chicken breasts. They are normally $1.89/lb. You get to the store and they are on special for $.99/lb. Instead of "pocketing" that extra money, you spend the same amount you were planning on, and put the extra meat in the freezer. Keep doing this and you will eventually have a well stocked freezer and pantry, and be able to buy almost everything in bulk and only when it's on sale--using the same grocery budget--because you've already got everything you need and are only spending your weekly budget on sale items. eventually your budget will be decreased by around 50%! I hope that makes sense.

Pre-packaged food is cheaper at least here then buying things seperately. So some of the childhood obesity is from not being able to afford healthy food. Also, what is affordable to me or you is not affordable to everyone.

Sometimes prepackaged foods can be cheaper, but again, not always, and you often give up nutrition. It's far healthier and less expensive to feed your family pasta with sauce, salad, and a lean meat as a side rather than the entre--$.89 for pasta, $2.00 for tomato sauce and paste to make your own, $1.89 for a pound of chicken, and $2.00 for salad and dressing, that's enough to feed three with leftovers for under $7. And this if you've paid full price for it all--if you use my bulk buying scheme as mentioned above, it's about half that cost. Nutritious and not many pre-packaged foods can offer that level of quality and nutrition for that price.

Even those on food stamps can eat nutritious foods if they use some common sense. Personally I think anyone receiving food stamps (or any public assistance except SSDI and SSI) should be required to attend budgeting and money management classes. I've said this before, and I truly believe it. I think that many who rely on various public assistance just have never learned these skills as they are caught in a cycle of poverty. But that's another thread.

Anne

 

[DarkSideMoon]

I also make my own bread, and pizza is made from scratch (although I can't make the pizza for much less than I can buy it at Little Caesars on $5 Wednesdays). I have an herb garden. I bought the plants and now just clip off what I need! One time expense, lifetime use. The plants only cost about $3 to begin with, a pack of fresh basil costs $2. That's pretty easy math. I didn't do so this year, but tomatoes can be grown in a container on anyone's door step, and canned for winter use. It's really not such a big deal, regardless of where you live.

Anne

Not everyone has the time to grow their own food, and yes, here in the midwest prices for things like strawberries and other fruits go up alot, if you can find them at all.

 

[ducklite]

Not everyone has the time to grow their own food.

It takes me under one minute twice a week to dump a little water on the herb garden. It takes about teh same amount of time to tend to tomatos. I'm not suggesting people plant a half acre garden. But there are little, inexpensive, no time ways to cut back on your produce bill.

BTW--I have two jobs--one full and on that takes a good 50 hours of my month, and I can manage to keep a few potted herbs alive...

Strawberries and any berry are very expensive no matter where you buy them. But there are plenty of inexpensive fruits, you have to buy on sale and in season. I hardly ever buy berries due to their cost.

Anne

 

[kristen821]

Super Target in Chicago has apples 99 cents/lb, oranges $2.88/5 lb. with a pritable $1 off coupon, so $1.88/5 lb., Del Monte canned veggies 5/$3, plus a printable 30 cents off coupon, so 5 for $2.70. Looks like the same prices as I'm paying in FL.



You can buy in bulk, you just have to use a little common sense. Let's say you are planning on buying four pounds of chicken breasts. They are normally $1.89/lb. You get to the store and they are on special for $.99/lb. Instead of "pocketing" that extra money, you spend the same amount you were planning on, and put the extra meat in the freezer. Keep doing this and you will eventually have a well stocked freezer and pantry, and be able to buy almost everything in bulk and only when it's on sale--using the same grocery budget--because you've already got everything you need and are only spending your weekly budget on sale items. eventually your budget will be decreased by around 50%! I hope that makes sense.



Sometimes prepackaged foods can be cheaper, but again, not always, and you often give up nutrition. It's far healthier and less expensive to feed your family pasta with sauce, salad, and a lean meat as a side rather than the entre--$.89 for pasta, $2.00 for tomato sauce and paste to make your own, $1.89 for a pound of chicken, and $2.00 for salad and dressing, that's enough to feed three with leftovers for under $7. And this if you've paid full price for it all--if you use my bulk buying scheme as mentioned above, it's about half that cost. Nutritious and not many pre-packaged foods can offer that level of quality and nutrition for that price.

Even those on food stamps can eat nutritious foods if they use some common sense. Personally I think anyone receiving food stamps (or any public assistance except SSDI and SSI) should be required to attend budgeting and money management classes. I've said this before, and I truly believe it. I think that many who rely on various public assistance just have never learned these skills as they are caught in a cycle of poverty. But that's another thread.

Anne

first off I am not talking about myself I am talking about low income families. Second, trust me I can't always afford bulk and low income families definately can't. a lot of people already budget to buy stuff on sale as it is. If groundbeef is on sale we eat a lot of ground beef for the next 2 week. If chicken is on sale we eat a lot of chicken for the next 2 weeks and I would be considered middle class. Pre-packaged food is cheaper. I am not saying that is what I eat normally, but some families may only be able to afford things like that. $7 a meal may be too much for some people. You just don't know everyone's situation. Also, the closest Super Target to me is 45 minutes away. That would be a lot of gas. Also, a lot of low income families rely on public transportation. They have limited places to shop. They don't have the luxury of driving from sale to sale.