Did you know that the number of persons in the country’s prisons and jails has increased by 500% in the last 40 years?
Do you or someone you know locked up? If so, you know what it’s like to subsist on prison food.
Prison food is notoriously bad. Imagine the worst fast food you’ve ever eaten and times it by about 300. Have you ever wondered what prison food consists of?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, our team has created a comprehensive list of all the foods you can expect to eat while behind bars. Keep reading to learn more.
The Type of Food Served in Prisons
Prison food is not always the healthiest or the most delicious. Incarcerated people are typically served food that is high in calories and low in nutrition. This type of food can lead to weight gain, health problems, and meal dissatisfaction.
In some prisons, inmates can purchase food from the commissary, which may offer more nutritious and appealing options. However, even the food available at the commissary is often high in calories and low in nutrients.
How Much Food Do Prisoners Get?
Most incarcerated people are served three prison meals a day, but the quality and quantity of the food in prison are not always adequate. Many prisoners complain of hunger and weight loss, and some resort to eating moldy bread or raw food because they are not getting enough to eat.
Meals are often nutritionally deficient and lack variety. For example, a typical breakfast may consist of a slice of white bread, a small packet of margarine, and coffee. Lunch and dinner may consist of a carbohydrate, like rice or pasta, and a protein, like beans or meat.
The Nutritional Value of Prison Food
The food is high in calories and low in nutrients, and it is often served cold or with last night’s leftovers. However, the nutritional value of prison food is not the only thing to consider when inmates are deciding what to eat. The cost of the food, the availability of other food options, and the inmate’s personal preferences all play a role in what they decide to eat.
How Do Prisoners Feel About the Food They Eat?
For the most part, prisoners seem to accept that their food will not be gourmet. After all, they are in prison and not a luxury resort. That said, some inmates have expressed frustration at the lack of variety in their diet and the monotony of eating the same thing daily.
While certain prisoners are unhappy with the food served, it is essential to remember that most prisoners are not in jail for life and will eventually be released.
In the grand scheme, the food they eat while incarcerated is not likely to be what they remember most about their time in prison. To understand more about this topic, it is important to learn about jail vs prison.
Understanding Prison Food
Prison food is often unhealthy and not very nutritious. People need to be aware of what incarcerated people eat so that they can make sure to provide them with proper nutrition.
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