Is it more expensive to eat healthy?

SweetlyVague

I think it only gets a little more expensive having to constantly buy fresh fruits and veggies, but otherwise, not really.

NYCNika

It is absolutely far more expensive upfront. Eating unhealthy is cheaper upfront but expensive on the back end.

shano25

I am low income and I live in a low income neighbourhood. I don't find eating healthier to be any more expensive. Part of that depends on what kind of grocery store you have. The last neighbourhood I lived in had a basic no frills grocery store. Prices there were cheap. It shut down (to open in the next neighbourhood) and the only option was a higher end grocery store. That's when it became expensive. I can get the same products at the no frills grocery store for cheaper than at the higher end store.

I think if you're low income it's easy to make healthy eating choices at the grocery store and not spend too much. I think what factors into the "junk food is cheaper" thing comes down to a lack of education about making good food choices as well as time. Households where the head is working two jobs have less time to spend preparing fresh meals.

As for fast food, here in Canada, it's expensive so I don't think it works as an excuse here. When we go we order 3 meals (my kids split an adult chicken nugget meal) and it comes to $25. I can make meals at home for a lot less than that. But when we're in the US, wow. I can see how that is cheaper than making a healthy meal at home.

Joreanasaurous

I think it is cheaper. I live in an area that has a large agriculture market. Buying fruits and veggies is pretty cheap. Meat on the other hand is a bit more $. I go to Costco and buy frozen chicken breast, which is a great deal. As long as you put a bit of planning into it, I have saved a lot of money on buying food.

cattrill

I think it depends on a number of factors which a lot of people have already covered.

Its probably hard to compare before and after, because for me in particular, I used to consume far too much as well as it being unhealthy so you probably save money in general just from eating the correct portion size.

I also think supermarket deals pay a large part, chocolate always seems to be on offer in the UK so you could actually get 4 mars bars or big bags of M&Ms for a pound, where as a tub of blueberries cost £2 ( in my opinion, this is where the govt could do a lot to help obesity, especially in children but thats a whole other topic in itself!)

Also, I only buy for myself, so fruit and veg I have to buy fresh every two or three days (i know you can get frozen but I prefer fresh) where as families can buy in bulk amounts and not have waste.

So while I think fresh meat and fruit tends to be more expensive, my chilli or spag bol now goes 4 ways rather than 1 and 1/2 so I probably save money in that respect, fruit and veg I spend a lot more on but thats personal preference. Way down on the chocolate expenditure though, even though supermarkets are trying to sabotage us!

Dulcemami4ever

I think you spend less overall because you can cook in bulk with things from the grocery store. When you buy from fast food its a good 10 bucks a pop depending on what you want.

Maximumresults

If you are a wise shopper its not an issue

c2111

no, eg this mornings breakfast, 1/2 banana 20cents 200mls skim milk 25 cents teaspoon honey 25 cents scoop of vanilla protein powder 50 cents sprinkle of cinnamon 5 cents Blend (my blender was 15 bucks about 2 years ago from kmart) total $1.25 australian, I dont eat at fast food outlets so have no idea of the cost of breaky their but i imagine its about 5 bucks?

AmazonRDH

Oh i think it's totally more expensive. but worth it. :bigsmile:

AuntieMC

bump

Zosimah

A lot of this discussion depends on what you are actually comparing. Are you looking at whole diet, single meal, portion. It also depends on where your diet is and where it's going.

For me personally, my goal is almost 2x the calorie intake as before so my food cost is going to go up regardless of most any other variable. Additionally, I came from a diet that was already made up of choices that were healthier than most of my friends/family. I bought and cooked healthy food, I just didn't consume it in a healthy way.

I would imagine that people coming from a diet of mostly Fast food/delivery pizza/hot pockets to one of home prepared food might see a decreased food bill. Same would hold true for people who are eating the same diet as before but are controlling portions now.

Cooking at home with healthy fresh food can be compared to cooking at home with mainly preprocessed and packaged goods fairly simply. Trying to compare home cooked to fast food takeout and even casual dining restaurants is a bit more complicated.

hgrizzle

I'm spending significantly less than when I was eating out (fast food or restaurants) at almost every meal. Of course I'm eating significantly less food as well.

staceycanada

I have found it is cheaper but I buy raw ingredients and make everything from scratch. I cook large meals that can be devided into many meals such as spagetti sauce, soups, chili. Make bread, yogurt etc. from scratch. I try to buy my veggies in season from the farmers market or grow my own. Buying ingredients in bulk is cheaper also. Also don't waaste anything. If your apples are starting to get soft make apple pie, apple sauce etc. Keeping track of all your food inventory and using it will save money.

megsmom2

Depending on what you're buying it could be more expensive, but it doesn't have to be. More labor intensive? For sure, but that's where some of the savings can happen.

barb1241

Didn't read the other responses, but just a thought to ponder-
Lean protein is expensive.
Fresh Produce is expensive.
Healthy fat is expensive.
Whole grains, not too bad.

Cheesecake is REALLY expensive.
Ribeye steak and filet mignon are expensive.
Booze is expensive.

IMHO-it's all about perspective.

Barb

chelseybennett1

I'd say its cheaper. I make mostly everything from scratch. When I was eating bad though I would get a weeks worth of groceries then not eat them before they went bad because fast food was more appealing and more convenient than cooking at that time.

pumpkinspice84

I don't think it cost too much more. For me to save money it takes a little planning. I check the ads every Wednesday(thats when the new ads are out) and than I make out my menu for the week. I stock up on fruits for my smoothies when they are on sale. I wash, bag and freeze them. Now that I measure out all my food it last longer which saves me money. Veggies to me are not too expensive fresh. I also buy frozen which is pretty cheap. A big bag of rice is cheap too. Our grocery bill has actually been the same if not I been saving more since eating better.

bluefrog_2001

Personally, I don't think healthy is more expensive.

I bought a 5 pound bag of oranges for $3.49. A 12 oz bag of potato chips would cost about the same.

I also got boneless skinless chicken breasts for $1.99 a pound, frozen carrots for $.99 a pound, 10 pounds of potatoes for $3.99 (bogo special). That'll go a lot further than a couple McDoubles and fries. Anyone who thinks anything off the dollar menu is really a bargain needs to do some math and learn to cook.

Now, if you're talking about CONVENIENCE, that's another story.

Very true what you say.

I am in the process of switching my household over to healthier items - not easy but not really any more expensive.

Ed98043

On a calorie for calorie basis, it's cheaper to eat high fat, processed foods. So yeah, if you want to pack away 3000+ calories a day it's cheaper to go to McDonalds. However, I don't think it would be more expensive to eat a sensible diet of whole foods at a healthy calorie level. So maybe the reason poor people are fat isn't because they can't afford healthy food, but because they want to eat a lot of calories and that would be too expensive with healthy foods. It's sort of a "which came first?" scenario.

PetulantOne

Eating healthier has been cheaper for me. Before I was spending a ton of money at fast food joints and restaurants. We ate out all the time. Between that, all the soda, chips cookies, etc, etc, I was spending a ton of money. Now i cook at home, take my lunch to work, and eat leftovers. My grocery bill may have gone up, but the total amount of money I'm spending on food has decreased.

Sw33tKnees

Yes, I believe eating healthy is more expensive. (which doesn't make sense) But, I find it worth spending the extra money knowing I am eating healthier and will live a longer healthier life

This!!

sally_jeffswife

I think for some stuff it is alot more expensive. Healthier breads for instance cost more and greek yogurt is a bit more than regular and if you drink protein shakes they are a bit more than soda pop. Mio water is like $2-4 at most places and you can usually get a case of pop for $4.50. Some things like beverage wise or if you get desserts like skinny cow costs more than regular ice cream treats sometimes. but if you make meals that make alot like hotidishes or soups than it prob is actually a bit cheaper cuz that will last you awhile. Just depends on if you make alot of separate meals or if you make meals that make alot like hotdishes and soups.

rosah2

My husband and I rarely go out to eat. My grocery bill has gone up a lot since I started eating healthy. I shop for groceries and have to buy all the unhealthy foods I bought before because my husband doesn't choose to eat this way. Then I buy the healthy food for me. So yeah, it costs a lot more. But I am going to keep doing it. I have only lost 6 or 7 pounds so far but I'm liking this healthy way of eating. By this time next year, I hope to tell you about the 100 pounds I lost.

jonswife0206

I think it depends on what you want to spend for what you want to get. I find eating better is less expensive. For what I would pay for a fast food meal for just me, I can make something at home for my husband and myself that's way healthier. Many of my vegetables, when not on sale, are frozen. This is a very inexpensive and nutritional way to get your vegetable servings. I buy larger bags, not the small one portions as they are less money per serving. You also cannot beat the variety. I also can or freeze vegetables from my garden and look for farmers markets in the area during the warmer seasons. Fruit I sometimes buy frozen but for fresh I watch for sales and buy apples and oranges in bags and not by the piece, much less expensive. I also watch for sales and freeze meats when the price is right. I think it's all on how you plan. Yes, I can live on ramen and it would be less expensive but I would rather eat something better for me for not much more in cost.

ellasanvictores

healthy food is a lifelong investment. it's like preventive medicine to the body. it will cost more initially but the long-term benefits are priceless: less sick days off work, less depression, more energy, less hospital bills, less medicine bills, less eating out, less cravings...the list can go on and on. since i've started going 70-80% raw vegan. looked up the benefits - found these:

your natural, ideal body weight - without counting a single calorie!
more energy - something that most people could do with,
a clear head, with sharper, quicker reactions,
great looking, shiny skin - glowing from the inside out,
pain-free periods - menstruation can go almost un-noticed
less illness, and need for pharmaceutical intervention

another source:

Healthy skin and hair
Increased energy
Weight loss
Lower body mass index
Lower cholesterol levels
Overall heart health

Symptoms of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis improve significantly
The progression of prostate cancer can be halted and in some cases even reversed
Bacterial enzymes and toxins linked to colon cancer may decrease
Risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes is reduced
High blood pressure is lowered

peckish_pomegranate

Points to consider...

- Food accessibility: Poorer areas often don't have as many places to buy fresh, healthy foods. Some don't have any. There are also more fast food restaurants in poor areas.

- Prep/cook time: Frozen or canned meals are quick, but loaded with sodium. Eating out at fast food places is unhealthy, but cheap. Cooking takes time and energy that busy people may not be able to allot to food.

- Transit accessibility; people who have less money rely on public transit more, which only runs on certain routes and times. it's much easier to take the bus to get McDonalds than cart home a week of fresh produce.

- Trips to the store: Eating fresh produce and other foods without preservatives is good for you, but it doesn't last long and you must eat it fast. You will have to make more trips to the store the faster you must eat your foods.

- Bulk: Unhealthy foods are cheaper to buy in bulk, while produce and many other healthy foods can't be easily used in bulk as they go bad quickly.

ElizIvory

I think I am a minority here. I am young, pretty much poor and living in a house with 4 other adults. I work a lot as does everyone else. I can tell you that the cost to buy and prepare all of our meals (Lunches/breakfast/Dinner) Is a lot more expensive with healthy food.

Buying lettuce/fresh veggies for a salad plus eggs or other protein to put in it for a lunch is a lot more expensive than packing a can of ravioli (knock off brand) or a pack of ramen.

I am trying to buy healthy food, but it is breaking our bank.

peckish_pomegranate

healthy food is a lifelong investment. it's like preventive medicine to the body. it will cost more initially but the long-term benefits are priceless: less sick days off work, less depression, more energy, less hospital bills, less medicine bills, less eating out, less cravings...the list can go on and on. since i've started going 70-80% raw vegan. looked up the benefits - found these:

your natural, ideal body weight - without counting a single calorie!
more energy - something that most people could do with,
a clear head, with sharper, quicker reactions,
great looking, shiny skin - glowing from the inside out,
pain-free periods - menstruation can go almost un-noticed
less illness, and need for pharmaceutical intervention

another source:

Healthy skin and hair
Increased energy
Weight loss
Lower body mass index
Lower cholesterol levels
Overall heart health

Symptoms of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis improve significantly
The progression of prostate cancer can be halted and in some cases even reversed
Bacterial enzymes and toxins linked to colon cancer may decrease
Risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes is reduced
High blood pressure is lowered

The question isn't "should you eat healthy even if it's more expensive." We all would like to eat healthier, but not everyone has money to spare for the higher food bills. It's not always a matter of just moving some around. When your rent is $800 and your light, gas, and water is $100, and you make $950 as a household, you're not going to able to just move some things around.

peckish_pomegranate

Didn't read the other responses, but just a thought to ponder-
Lean protein is expensive.
Fresh Produce is expensive.
Healthy fat is expensive.
Whole grains, not too bad.

Cheesecake is REALLY expensive.
Ribeye steak and filet mignon are expensive.
Booze is expensive.

IMHO-it's all about perspective.

Barb

Do you really believe poor people are eating cheesecake and filet mignon. Use your brain here.

ElizIvory

I know I'm definately not eating cheesecake!
I wish!
Or even steak in general, not even filet mignon.


I hate hearing "well if you just bought this fish, and this lean meat and all these veggies you could eat so much better." I dont think they understand that the grocery bill can't go from $100 a month to $200 a month that means I dont pay my electric.