Thread by @mynameisaflower, alright then, let’s talk living below the line and trying to eat [...]

alright then, let’s talk living below the line and trying to eat “balanced and healthy” and how impossible that actually is.

I’m on benefits and my monthly income is below minimum wage. I live alone in a private rent house and pay all my own bills and rent.

I am poor.

the reason I don’t have a steady income job is because I’m disabled. I am chronically ill and unable to work. there have been times in my life when I’ve tried full time and part time work and all instances I have had to leave due to relapsing in to a flare.

there are days when I am so unwell I can barely move my legs, let alone stand in a kitchen and cook for myself. but like I said above: I live alone. so days like that call for the easiest, cheapest and highest calorie meal I can make easily.

today has been one of those days.

over the last 15 weeks I’ve been lucky enough to receive the vulnerable food packages which have stocked up my cupboards with the basics. my sisters and friends also often pick up extra groceries for me but otherwise I have to pick the cheapest and easiest food options available.

contrary to popular believe this is not out of laziness. as many have pointed out, a 12 bag of crisps is cheaper than 6 apples and can be stretched out for far longer. when you’re poor it’s about getting enough calories a day to keep going to the next one.

adding being disabled in to that mix is a kicker. by the time the evening rolls around I am exhausted, in pain and generally counting down the minutes until I can end my day and just go to sleep. it’s not often the happiest of routines.

so tonight, after a day fighting with my stoma I caved and finally made myself dinner. throughout the day I had been feeling too nauseous to eat and only had 2 slices of toast around 3pm. this is fairly normal for me as bread or toast are an easy go to that gets you through.

right now my fridge is pretty much empty. some left over mashed potatoes, half a block of cheese, half a loaf of bread and 1/3 of a tin of sweetcorn. pretty sad I know but the month is almost over and I have to shell out rent tomorrow. it’s unavoidable.

my freezer is full what many would call the unhealthier options. frozen breaded chicken and chicken breasts, some portions of rice I batch cooked, some mince and some chips. most of everything in there requires time and energy to properly cook. neither I felt up to today.

this evening I managed to make a meal for 67p. it was unsatisfying, reasonably “unhealthy” and pretty fucking sad to look at. but it fit the criteria of quick and easy to cook, low prep time, high enough in calories to get me through and cheap.

it’s not a pretty sight, I know and one many would turn their noses up at. it certainly didn’t take home the best dinner award and won’t be wowing any tables any time soon but it’s basic and filling. It cost 67p. that being said, this meal would not be considered “healthy”.

you’ve got your basics. the “past & sauce” packet is probably full of sugars and additives but it takes 8 minutes to cook and requires little to no energy. sadly this is a pretty average meal for many who are poor. it’s simple, it’s easy and you get quick results.

when I am healthy and have the energy I love to cook. I love it more than anything and believe food brings people together. but being poor and being overweight are often linked because it is cheaper and easier to cook up something like that than a full home made meal.

there are so many contributing factors to why those who are poor or in difficult situations are overweight. the argument that it is inherent laziness has been pushed for years by a government who want to demonise those who are vulnerable and in need of help.

the tory government have made it clear for decades now that poor people have no place in their party. their constant cut to benefits, zero hour contracts and stability for single parent families has been a clear sign of that.

blaming poor people for eating unhealthily because it is all they have access to is foul. the cost of living is simply too high and healthier options are in fact more expensive and tend to expire quicker. for low income households it is about just making it to the next day.

since lockdown I have gained a significant amount of weight. having crohns and lupus means my weight has always fluctuated dramatically but being unable to go out, get extra food delivered or change up my routine has left me in a repetitive slump of cheap eating.

with no events I’ve been unable to make money through costume commissions or accessibility consultation work. all of my extra disposable income disappeared, but of course all bills still have to be paid so I’ve been on an even tighter budget than usual.

like I said above I am especially lucky to have friends and family who have offered to help at times but it isn’t always easy or possible and there will still be days or even weeks when the food is this and the options are minimal.

being sick, overweight and poor is a huge weight on your soul and for many that leads to stress or binge eating which adds more fuel to the fire. it’s a very difficult cycle to break, especially in current situations.

the constant belittling and demonising of poor and overweight people is a systematic movement to split the middle and lower class against each other and the repercussions of it just five the tory government more and more power.

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