This is from a U.S.-centric viewpoint, though insights from other countries are appreciated.
Nearly every article on the topic says healthy food is 1.5-2x+ the cost of UPFs and other foods generally viewed as unhealthy. That hasn’t been my personal experience at all, bit clearly there is more to the story – because every source on the internet contradicts my opinion.
Groceries are pricey and it’s hard to budget as a single person because of portion sizes. Even so, foods like poultry and vegetables are far cheaper to cook at home than to buy at a restaurant or (from a nutritional perspective) the frozen foods section at Kroger.
Some foods – like certain kinds of beef or fish – are either similar to or slightly cheaper to get a restaurant or frozen food item as opposed to making healthier types at home.
I guess some fruits are kinda pricey and eating healthy is a challenge in a food desert, but otherwise I’d spend so much more on UPFs as opposed to buying whole foods.
What part of the story am I missing?
In: Economics
Healthy food is not more expensive
Cooking from fresh ingredients in season is by far the cheapest way to eat. Healthy convenience items are more expensive than average convenience items. A diet based on produce in season, eggs, meats used in smaller portions bought on sale( look for turkeys and hams after the holidays, I bought a cartload of turkeys and hams for seven dollars each last winter and froze them), large containers of oats,dry beans, rice and homemade baked goods is healthy and the most affordable way to eat. I raised six children on a tight budget this way and they were so much better nourished than most children.
Latest Answers