Quick and easy side dishes

Earlier, I complained about how a lot of people simply bring a bag of cookies to these singles socials that I've attended. That is, regardless of what they were actually assigned to bring (a side dish, for example), they take the easy way out and bring a bunch of cookies.

I should be fair, though. Some of them bring chips instead. Sigh.

This contributes to the nation's obesity problem. People are WAY to enamored with pastries and other unhealthy desserts. Personally, I stay away from them for the most part.

The thing is, preparing a side dish doesn't have to take a lot of effort, and it doesn't have to cost much money either. I often bring a bunch of sliced apples or pears, for example. Slicing them up doesn't take much time, and it makes for a healthy side dish. Or if you wish, how about a bag of baby cut carrots? These are cheap and quick alternatives to the fattening baked goods.