Why is Healthy Eating So Expensive?

I am in the same school of thought. I think it is more expensive to eat unhealthily. And it is certainly more costly in the long run to keep living that lifestyle if you anticipate what your medical bills might be.

I look at food as an investment in my health and I really spare no expense. It is worth it to me.

Its not..

its just an excuse for people who dont want to eat healthy

^ this too lazy to make an effort to make good meals

Define eating healthy? I think you need the parameters to gauge if it costs more. I cook everything from scratch, I cook Ketogenics for one person (who also lifts weights), low carb for another, one person has an eating disorder and one that has dietary issues. We are all in the same household. For example since our change in eating habits ( and exercise) we went through 2 gallons of milk a week average $5.00. Now we drink almond and or coconut milk. It costs about $3.69 a half gallon we go through 2 1/2 gallons a week. that's $18.45 just for that. Whey protein powder even at Costco is an added expense................. Yes we have eliminated junk food but add healthy foods and other products that can be costly.

It may depend on where you live and what your diet is. Lazy I am not and more like a short order cook. LOL I shop sales, Costco, and utilize online club card savings. So if asked if eating healthy is more expensive I say it depends on what your "healthy foods are". Since it can be subjective as to what is healthy.

Not expensive at all. You save tons of $$$ by not getting prepared boxed over processed unhealthy foods. And even more if you make it yourself and not do the dining out thing. I love preparing my meals now. :-)

I do think it is dependent on where you live.

Here in Western Australia

white bread and grain breads = same price
greek yogurt vs flavoured yogurts = same price
chicken comes in around $9-$10 per kilo for breast or thigh fillets and anywhere from $3-$6 per kilo for wings or legs
lean heartsmart mince is more expensive than regular but looks a billion times nicer.
fresh produce is usually cheaper than frozen *except* when there has been a massive storm wiping out crops (cyclone in Queensland wiped out banana plantations and they went from $2-$3 per kilo to around $18-$20 per kilo for a while there!!
Tins of beans/lentils/chickpeas 99c to $2 depending on brand.

I CAN make you a nicer and much healthier meal for your $5-$6 you spend at McDonalds that won't make you feel like you are about to throw an artery.

Buy in season. Buy meats in bulk and separate them into portion sizes then freeze.

I don't eat plants at all anymore, so for me, yeah it's a bit more expensive. I typically go through about $30 per day, but almost all of my food is meats, protein shakes, bars, and supplements. There are much cheaper ways to do things, but to me, plants are what food eats.

There are definitely cheap ways to eat decently, it just takes this little thing that so few people are willing to put forth anymore: effort.

I don't eat plants at all anymore, so for me, yeah it's a bit more expensive. I typically go through about $30 per day, but almost all of my food is meats, protein shakes, bars, and supplements. There are much cheaper ways to do things, but to me, plants are what food eats.

There are definitely cheap ways to eat decently, it just takes this little thing that so few people are willing to put forth anymore: effort.

Plants are what food eats??

I am picturing you as about 20 feet tall with little forearms, poor eyesight, long tail, powerful legs and great big teeth...

It may seem more expensive but just think of the money you will save on doctor visits and medicines that you won't need because you are eating healthy!!!

Its not..

its just an excuse for people who dont want to eat healthy

^ this too lazy to make an effort to make good meals

Define eating healthy? I think you need the parameters to gauge if it costs more. I cook everything from scratch, I cook Ketogenics for one person (who also lifts weights), low carb for another, one person has an eating disorder and one that has dietary issues. We are all in the same household. For example since our change in eating habits ( and exercise) we went through 2 gallons of milk a week average $5.00. Now we drink almond and or coconut milk. It costs about $3.69 a half gallon we go through 2 1/2 gallons a week. that's $18.45 just for that. Whey protein powder even at Costco is an added expense................. Yes we have eliminated junk food but add healthy foods and other products that can be costly.

It may depend on where you live and what your diet is. Lazy I am not and more like a short order cook. LOL I shop sales, Costco, and utilize online club card savings. So if asked if eating healthy is more expensive I say it depends on what your "healthy foods are". Since it can be subjective as to what is healthy.

??????? I eat healthy and its not expensive. the end.

I find it cheaper.

The only time my grocery bill is high is when my husband wants chips or pop or frozen premade crap.

Cost-co, 10lb bag of frozen chicken breasts run about $15. They also have a good selection on other things.
Unprocessed rice, beans quinoa, pastas (costco) , potatoes in bulk, all cheap.

If you rethink your menu and where you buy your stuff, it's not more expensive.
Most Mexican, italian, chili, none of these are expensive.

Nobody seems to care when they spend $3.99 for a bag of chips or $10.00 for a box of candy but good grief ask for $4.00 for veggies & people scream. I don't think eating healthy costs any more than eating junk (unless you count fast food dollar menus-uck!)
Anyhow, I'd rather pay for good, healthy food than pay the hospital bill for a heart attack.

It really shouldn't be. Buy fruits and veggies that are in season, shop around, you'll find you can actually eat healthily for a lot less. good luck x

This!

I dont find it more expensive, admittedly food is getting more expensive and I have to be more creative in the ktichen but I do plan menu's in advance, buy on offer, eat cheaper cuts of meat, eat seasonal veg, batch cook. It does take time and planning perhaps but much tastier than prepacked junk

Value. Healthy. Convenience.

Pick two.

In my experience, the only time "healthy" foods are more expensive is when you're one of those "EVERYTHING MUST BE ORGANIC!" nuts or if you're trying to stick to things that don't require much effort to prepare as they come mostly pre-prepared. Well, sorry, but part of eating healthy means being willing to spend time in the kitchen. Yeah, if you're not willing to do THAT, then it can get expensive. Stupidly expensive. But if you care about your health AND saving money, you'll attempt to learn what you need to in order to resurrect the arcane arts of combining basic ingredients over heat in a process the ancient ones referred to as "cooking."

To reiterate what others have said - it doesn't have to be. I spend less on groceries each week because I'm not buying junk food on top of healthy food and I'm portioning everything out. So in that case, no, it's not more expensive. (Although sometimes, especially in the winter, fresh fruits and veggies are more expensive, so that's when I turn to frozen veggies, but always as a last resort.) That being said, it is NOT a myth that healthy food is more expensive than unhealthy food. A pound of broccoli at my grocery store costs more than a bag of chips. (Of course in the long run, that pound of broccoli will keep you healthier than that bag of chips, so it's sort of like an investment in your health.) Also, it depends on your definition of healthy. Non-GMO versions of corn and soy and grass fed, hormone-free meats are definitely way more expensive than their GMO corn (which is in almost everything in some form and allows for cheap production of processed foods) and corn-fed beef, for example, are less expensive. They're also government subsidized (depending on where you live), as is wheat, for example. So yes, it is definitely more expensive to eat super healthy, but there are ways around it and alternatives.