# Gwyneth Paltrow's Food Stamp Diet
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [April 14, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655 "2015-04-14T16:24:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 9
### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/161 "2015-04-17T13:29:08Z")
> [@Telemark](#):
>
> Ah, I see. That was a pilot program to vet the course materials. 10 courses were taught as part of developing the program. That’s good, but it’s really not beneficial to the vast majority of people who need the information. I think the question was more about ongoing courses that people getting SNAP today can take advantage of.
>
> Yes, 10 courses were taught as part of developing the materials. Has there been followup and are courses being taught today? Can we go to a local food assistance agency and find these courses being offered? I honestly don’t know the answer to that question, and they may very well be offered all over the country. But this link doesn’t answer it, and that I believe was what was asked.
How much do you want to nitpick this? Yes, there are free workshops all over the place on healthy eating. [Cite](http://www.qconline.com/life/free-workshop-on-eating-healthy-on-a-budget/article_6a7db55d-554a-5110-93c9-f99d86a1bffe.html), [cite](http://cancer.ucsd.edu/coping/diet-nutrition/healthy-eating-program/Pages/classes-seminars.aspx), [cite.](http://westport.macaronikid.com/article/648893/free-workshop-on-healthy-eating-jan-29th)
Regards,
Shodan
---
### Author:  [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/162 "2015-04-17T13:50:47Z")
> [@Shodan](#):
>
> How much do you want to nitpick this? Yes, there are free workshops all over the place on healthy eating. [Cite](http://www.qconline.com/life/free-workshop-on-eating-healthy-on-a-budget/article_6a7db55d-554a-5110-93c9-f99d86a1bffe.html), [cite](http://cancer.ucsd.edu/coping/diet-nutrition/healthy-eating-program/Pages/classes-seminars.aspx), [cite.](http://westport.macaronikid.com/article/648893/free-workshop-on-healthy-eating-jan-29th)
Thank you. I was pointing out that the link \*\*Bricker \*\*posted didn’t answer the question that was asked. I don’t consider that nitpicking. I didn’t ask the original question, but I had no idea if courses were available to the people receiving SNAP. Now I do.
---
### Author:  [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/163 "2015-04-17T14:10:04Z")
> [@Telemark](#):
>
> Ah, I see. That was a pilot program to vet the course materials. 10 courses were taught as part of developing the program. That’s good, but it’s really not beneficial to the vast majority of people who need the information. I think the question was more about ongoing courses that people getting SNAP today can take advantage of.
>
> Yes, 10 courses were taught as part of developing the materials. Has there been followup and are courses being taught today? Can we go to a local food assistance agency and find these courses being offered? I honestly don’t know the answer to that question, and they may very well be offered all over the country. But this link doesn’t answer it, and that I believe was what was asked.
Actually, it wasn’t what was asked.
Broomstick’s oft-repeated _modus operandi_ is to make a sweeping, definitive claim:
> [@](#):
>
> No, there are not CLASSES. There is information on websites, but not classes where you could potentially have one-on-one human interaction and/or group support.
I asked her if this was hyperbole or a literal claim, because I’ve had interactions with her in which she defends, tooth and nail, the literal truth of a claim that at first blush appeared to be hyperbole.
---
### Author:  [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/164 "2015-04-17T14:11:58Z")
> [@Shodan](#):
>
> How much do you want to nitpick this? Yes, there are free workshops all over the place on healthy eating. [Cite](http://www.qconline.com/life/free-workshop-on-eating-healthy-on-a-budget/article_6a7db55d-554a-5110-93c9-f99d86a1bffe.html), [cite](http://cancer.ucsd.edu/coping/diet-nutrition/healthy-eating-program/Pages/classes-seminars.aspx), [cite.](http://westport.macaronikid.com/article/648893/free-workshop-on-healthy-eating-jan-29th)
>
> Regards,
> Shodan
Thanks.
My prediction now is that Broomstick will avoid the thread for a bit, and then pick up commentary without mentioning this discussion. What we won’t see from her, if prior behavior is a guide, is a forthright admission that yes, in fact, there are classes.
---
### Author:  [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/165 "2015-04-17T14:19:42Z")
My guess is the response will be “Sure, but those classes are not in bum-fuck Indiana where I live, and they don’t schedule around the jobs that people have to miss in order to attend the class. Just GETTING to the class will be hard, what about people who have to take the bus? or pay for gas, mileage, wear and tear on their car. If government agencies don’t pay for a person to go to each benefit-receiving person’s house and conduct one-on-one training about smart, budget-conscious shopping and food preparation during hours that the person is available, then they are doing NOTHING to help the poor!”
---
### Author:  [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/166 "2015-04-17T16:02:27Z")
> [@Bricker](#):
>
> My prediction now is that Broomstick will avoid the thread for a bit, and then pick up commentary without mentioning this discussion. What we won’t see from her, if prior behavior is a guide, is a forthright admission that yes, in fact, there are classes.
My prediction is that you will continue to revel in your perceived victory of proving that, hey, hyperbole was hyperbole! What we won’t see from you is any discussion of the underlying point: that it is difficult for low-income people to get adequate education on cooking and eating healthy, whether due to lack of classes in their area, lack of time, lack of transportation, etc.
But good job on the classes thing. You totally pwn’d Broomstick.
---
### Author:  [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/167 "2015-04-17T16:33:12Z")
> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> But good job on the classes thing. You totally pwn’d Broomstick.
I don’t think it’s fair to dismiss this. Broomstick asked a question and got the answer - she was wrong. Facts is facts. Her argument may still hold water, but it does no good to deny reality.
---
### Author:  [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/168 "2015-04-17T16:37:04Z")
> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> My prediction is that you will continue to revel in your perceived victory of proving that, hey, hyperbole was hyperbole! What we won’t see from you is any discussion of the underlying point: that it is difficult for low-income people to get adequate education on cooking and eating healthy, whether due to lack of classes in their area, lack of time, lack of transportation, etc.
>
> But good job on the classes thing. You totally pwn’d Broomstick.
Thanks!
---
### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/169 "2015-04-17T16:40:26Z")
> [@Telemark](#):
>
> I don’t think it’s fair to dismiss this.
Yes it is, since it’s a stupid fucking hijack, having little to do with the Op. The thread is about \*\*Gwyneth Paltrow’s Food Stamp Diet \*\* not obsessively trying to prove someone is wrong.
---
### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/170 "2015-04-17T16:47:57Z")
> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> My prediction is that you will continue to revel in your perceived victory of proving that, hey, hyperbole was hyperbole! What we won’t see from you is any discussion of the underlying point: that it is difficult for low-income people to get adequate education on cooking and eating healthy, whether due to lack of classes in their area, lack of time, lack of transportation, etc.
In what way does “here are a bunch of free classes” fail to address how low-income people can’t learn how to budget and shop healthy?
Or are you doing what **manson1972** said would happen?
The “underlying point” has been beaten into a pulp - it is **not** hard to obtain enough healthy food on $29 a week, Gwineth Paltrow does not grasp the concept of "“budgets”, and there are lots of opportunities to learn how to do it if you haven’t got the idea.
Regards,
Shodan
---
### Author:  [@owlfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlfan)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/171 "2015-04-17T16:57:03Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#):
>
> I am actually pretty ok paying a few cents more in taxes if it means people working for 20K a year can get limes and avocados once in a while.
I like you!
---
### Author:  [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/172 "2015-04-17T17:09:11Z")
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> My guess is the response will be “Sure, but those classes are not in bum-fuck Indiana where I live, and they don’t schedule around the jobs that people have to miss in order to attend the class. Just GETTING to the class will be hard, what about people who have to take the bus? or pay for gas, mileage, wear and tear on their car…”
> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> it is difficult for low-income people to get adequate education on cooking and eating healthy, whether due to lack of classes in their area, lack of time, lack of transportation, etc.
I guessed correctly.
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### Author:  [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/173 "2015-04-17T17:15:42Z")
> [@Shodan](#):
>
> The “underlying point” has been beaten into a pulp - it is **not** hard to obtain enough healthy food on $29 a week, Gwineth Paltrow does not grasp the concept of "“budgets”, and \*\*there are lots of opportunities to learn how to do it if you haven’t got the idea. \*\*
I disagree with the bolded part. A well-off conservative telling me how the poor are just stupid and/or lazy if they don’t know how to cook healthy doesn’t go far toward convincing me. How many classes are available each week in a typical city? If there are plenty, what are the reasons people aren’t taking advantage of them? That’s the kind of information that is useful, not a link showing “here’s an example of a class, neener neener you were wrong.”
From the links you provided, I now know that there were a couple workshops in 2009 in Western Illinois, one in January 2014 about mindless eating, and ongoing classes available in San Diego. That’s a useful start to the conversation. But they’re useless as a definitive statement that everyone has access to classes and no good reason to not attend, and they’re stupid if the point is just to prove someone wrong.
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> I guessed correctly.
It’s not that hard to guess when it’s a valid question that is pertinent to the discussion.
---
### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/174 "2015-04-17T17:16:50Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#):
>
> - One dozen eggs.
> - One head of romaine
> - One avocado
> - One yellow onion
> - One head garlic
> - One bunch scallions
> - One ear of fresh corn
> - One tomato
> - One bunch kale
> - One yam/sweet potato
> - One jalapeno pepper
> - One bunch cilantro
> - 16 oz bag of dried black beans
> - 16 oz bag of brown rice
> - 1 pkg. corn tortillas (18)
> - 7 fresh limes
Think one really awesome vegetarian meal for a family. Not a week’s worth of meals with the occasional flesh protein.
---
### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/175 "2015-04-17T17:23:04Z")
> [@Slash1972](#):
>
> I guessed correctly.
Boy, did you ever.
Regards,
Shodan
---
### Author:  [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/176 "2015-04-17T17:25:09Z")
[And she’s done, after four days.](http://goop.com/my-29-food-stamp-challenge-and-the-recipes-brouhaha-that-ensued/)
---
### Author:  [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/177 "2015-04-17T17:49:30Z")
> [@ivylass](#):
>
> [And she’s done, after four days.](http://goop.com/my-29-food-stamp-challenge-and-the-recipes-brouhaha-that-ensued/)
Obviously the government isn’t offering her enough free classes.
Regards,
Shodan
---
### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/178 "2015-04-17T17:55:55Z")
My take:
This has fuck-all to do with shopping list and lime and avocados. This is a publicity stunt by a rich cunt to make herself look good about a cause she will _never have to worry about._
And what I mean by that is twofold. First, She is rich and will never need food stamps. She can make herself look good by advocating the poor unwashed masses get more. Second, She ain’t gonna have to _pick up the tab!_ I’m sure she has an army of accountants and tax lawyers making sure she pays as little as possible every April 15th. (I don’t know? Is this cunt a U.S. taxpayer?)
So who pays? People like me, and probably a lot of other Dopes. Shit, its the 17th and I _still_ can’t sit down from the financial butt-fucking I got earlier this week.
Anyway, just my opinion.
---
### Author:  [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/179 "2015-04-17T18:02:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> Your second sentence (which I’ve bolded for emphasis) is an odd statement; you seem to be suggesting that all Hispanics have little money.
That wasn’t my clearest sentence. I meant that the patrons of said Hispanic groceries that I regularly shop at don’t appear to have much money.
The places are definitely aimed at a lower-income crowd, with low-cost brands I’ve never heard of sometimes- English label and Mexican/Latin American ones. Some of the products are a tad on the sad side; one thing I saw was a Mexican style cream product; it was something like 1/2 cream, 1/2 vegetable fat & water, but it was the lowest priced item in that category on the shelf. Sometimes the packaging is different and less elaborate than what I’m used to- plastic bags of laundry detergent and sour cream are the two that immediately come to mind.
The stores themselves are really interesting from a business school grad’s perspective, in that they’re huge supermarkets just like regular ones, but aimed at a different clientele, so the product mix and placement is different enough to be interesting, so I’ve paid attention.
**manson1972** has a point; there does have to be a point when the poor are held responsible for something. Not necessarily just for being poor, but there has to be some reasonable expectation of minimal motivation to attend some kind of class, or do something other than just _be_ poor and expect someone else to make things better.
---
### Author:  [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwyneth-paltrows-food-stamp-diet/717655/180 "2015-04-17T18:10:37Z")
> [@TroutMan](#):
>
> I disagree with the bolded part. A well-off conservative telling me how the poor are just stupid and/or lazy if they don’t know how to cook healthy doesn’t go far toward convincing me. How many classes are available each week in a typical city? If there are plenty, what are the reasons people aren’t taking advantage of them? That’s the kind of information that is useful, not a link showing “here’s an example of a class, neener neener you were wrong.”
>
> From the links you provided, I now know that there were a couple workshops in 2009 in Western Illinois, one in January 2014 about mindless eating, and ongoing classes available in San Diego. That’s a useful start to the conversation. But they’re useless as a definitive statement that everyone has access to classes and no good reason to not attend, and they’re stupid if the point is just to prove someone wrong.
> It’s not that hard to guess when it’s a valid question that is pertinent to the discussion.
I guess I’ve lost track of what your point of contention is then. The “class” discussion started by someone stating there are NO classes provided to teach the poor how to shop and cook meals on a budget. This was readily disproven. So, after the point was disproven, I (and some others) guessed that the argument would change to “not enough classes that are convenient for everyone that needs them” which, of course, it has.
So, what do you want to happen? More classes? How many should there be? Increase the SNAP benefit? By how much should it be increased?
Surprisingly, I’m in favor of the SNAP program and do NOT want to see it cut, nor do I think charging people bank and ATM fees to withdraw the money is the right thing to do, and there should be classes to help people maximize their benefits, and these classes SHOULD be paid by the local and/or state governments.
However, I can see where people need to spend at least a MINIMUM amount of energy in order to maximize their use of these benefits. Is it hard to attend a class if you are working 2 jobs with 2 kids at home? Sure is! Guess what? Everything that leads to a better life is harder than sitting around and complaining about it.
As for you, **Troutman** , maybe YOU could start a door-to-door budgeting/cooking class that educates those who need it, instead of just complaining on the Internet that no classes like that exist.
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