Eating Healthy is More Expensive: Busting a Myth
My family’s diet consists of whole foods. To me, this means I prefer to start with foods that look like they did at the farm where they came from. No need to grind it up with a bunch of something else, spit it out and then repackage it as a mystery substance. No thank you.
One question we often get is how we afford to eat the way we eat, as so many people believe that eating healthy – which for us means plenty of fresh produce, whole grains and a few lean meats and fish – is more expensive than purchasing processed foods.
The truth, however, is that it’s not. For most people, it’s more of a change in diet and attitude towards eating that needs to happen, rather than a readjustment of your wallet. Consider portion sizes and the food that sits on your plate. Even the new USDA Plate shows that the majority of your plate should be covered with produce and whole grains, leaving only a small portion for proteins.
One of the best comparisons of healthy versus unhealthy diet I’ve found was a piece on Invest it Wisely that looked at a typical fast food diet, a healthy diet with fresh produce and lean proteins and an unhealthy diet cooked from home. Both the unhealthy diet cooked from home and the healthy diet from home ended up with the same price breakdown. All the author of the article did was change his eating habits, not what he was spending on food.
Some keys to eating well on a budget:
- Shop at the farmer’s market.
- Purchase food that is in season, as it will always be cheaper.
- Cut out extra beverages, as soda and juices add up, and stick with milk and water.
If you have tips and ideas on how to eat healthfully without breaking the bank, please share them here for the whole community!
Editor’s note: This post was written by Shaina Olmanson, author of the Food for My Family blog.
Posted on August 31, 2011, in Family, Lists, Mom Tips. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
That is partially true. We do not have access to a farmer’s market during winter months and our local grocery stores do not change their prices on food that is in season.
Hi, cp. I live in the Midwest in Minnesota, so I, too, don’t have access to farmers markets or fresh local produce during the winter. However, I do stock up and freeze or can as much as I can in preparation. It’s amazing how cheap you can buy local tomatoes in August and September.
Additionally, I try to buy bulk organic produce as much as possible in the winter months by utilizing warehouse stores and purchasing in bulk whenever possible. We also change the way we eat to reflect the season. We try to save money by eating more beans and legumes instead of expensive cuts of meat, plenty of soups and stews and watching for sales and coupons on items we already purchase.
Healthy eating means maintaining a nutritious diet. I believe it to be important to every one. I stress a healthy life to my family and friends and I try to show them the benefits to it. I think the greatest benefit most of all is that it makes you feel and look great. If your not eating healthy, then you are not helping your body. You are filling it with what it does not want, instead, help your body out and eat healthy. The turn out is awesome. I have been eating healthy for years and I have never felt better in my life.