Ross: Use inflation as motivation for a little portion control
Jan 13, 2022, 5:38 AM | Updated: 8:58 am
People shop for groceries on Jan. 12, 2022, in New York City. Newly released data shows that inflation grew at its fastest 12-month pace in nearly 40 years during the month of December. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
In case you haven’t heard – we have inflation.
I heard a White House economic adviser reassuring everybody:
“Most independent forecasters expect these prices to moderate over the course of 2022, and that’s consistent with the administration’s view.”
But the view from the grocery store?
“Ground beef prices up 13%; double-digit jumps in the price of eggs, crackers, and bread; breakfast cereal up 6%.”
And that cereal comes in a remarkably thin box.
I remember the stagflation of the 80s, and I have no desire to go back to those days. … If only we could take some voluntary collective action that would nip this in the bud.
And then – I thought back to Monday’s conversation with Dr. Cohen about the latest study on obesity in young adults:
“It showed there was about a 6% increase in the 18-25 age group, up to almost one-third or 33% of people in that age group.”
Which means 33% of young adults eat too much.
Well, suppose that those of us who don’t need to eat as much as we do – suddenly didn’t!
Use this inflationary moment as motivation to finally force a little portion control on yourself. Do it for your country!
This would make millions of Americans healthier – but more to the point, if millions of people suddenly don’t need to buy so much food, by the law of supply and demand, food prices would have to go down.
It would also put corporations on notice that, yes, we are paying attention, and no you cannot just raise prices, because yes, we do have the willpower not to buy as much food.
Even though I sometimes try to break the winter doldrums by watching grilling videos on YouTube.
“And I have a piece of certified Angus beef that is choice,” says cowboy Kent Rollins.
I will resist temptation even though a Pan-Seared T-bone steak with garlic and rosemary barbecued by a real cowboy sounds mighty good. Because if we Americans can just eat less together, we can whip inflation now.
“The first contestant is this beautiful ribeye. Hear that sound? I like that sound. We’re shuttin’ the lid.”
No! Not gonna do it until prices drop. Even though Cowboy Kent’s grilling technique has 1.8 million views.
“Remember, the only time you should fear a piece of beef is when it is still on the hoof alive, snorting in your back pocket.”
Be strong, America.
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