Why is healthy food more expensive?
Replies
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Because it spoils quicker so more of it has to be thrown out0
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I get most my items from Adli's and my grocery bill has actually gone down
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Healthy Food IS CHEAP....Fruits Veggies beans and whole grains are not costly ...Tuna chicken and lean beef is cheap!!!
you were doing well till you said beef is cheap.
although to be fair, to get the same amount of calories from vegetables as fast food, you'd need to eat a LOT more vegetables, thus making them more expensive from a cost/calorie standpoint.
extra lean ground beef is not that pricey . but I get it
ahh ground beef - that's different. i thought you were talking steaks for some reason. lol0 -
Because corn and wheat are heavily subsidized.. then processed to make cheap junk for you..... so that Mrs Obama can battle Obesity... when I dunno, it seems like subidizing the very foods that are getting processed, only encourages more processed foods.
Also, eating healthy is not really that much more expensive. A big bag of apples costs the same as a big bag of Doritos I'll bet the apples last a lot longer than Doritos. WATER is free... that is cheaper than soda. buying a whole chicken is less per pound than buying processed chicken nuggets. People always make crazy comparisons.. " a pound of cherries cost $6.00 but I could have gotten FOUR boxes of Dolly Madsen/Little Debbies for that price"..... Uh yeah.. cuz you're comparing the MOST EXPENSIVE produce against the CHEAPEST junk. duh. There are a lot of things in the produce aisle cheaper than freaking out of season cherries! I just got back from the market. A pound of carrots was 79 cents, a pound of kale was 99 cents, a huge romaine lettuce was 1.49, onions were 49 cents a pound, cucumbers were 50 cents each. a pound of red lentils 1.49... This stuff is NOT expensive. Could I afford the beautiful rainbow chard that I was admiring? no, I couldn't, it was $2.49 a pound and out of my price range, I'll have to wait for it to be in season cuz I buy what I can afford. There are plenty of inexpensive healthy options. If something is cheap and healthy, buy it and learn how to cook it.0 -
It's more valuable than crappy food.0
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You have to think from a business perspective:
1) Healthy food is generally fresh food (frozen is great too)
2) Fresh food goes off much faster than canned food, food in jars and packets, containers etc
3) Food that goes off before being sold has to be thrown away
4) Food that is thrown away causes a loss to the shop that sells it
5) Therefore, in order to minimise loss, the shop has to increase the price in order to have a wide margin between cost of production and and sale price. For example, I work in a coffee shop and it costs 38p (British money) to make 1 double espresso. A regular black coffee costs £1.80. The increase in price has to be large enough to cover general bills like staff wages, cleaning products, electricity, gas, supply costs etc.
There is of course the argument that if you decrease the price, more people might buy it, but this reduces the profit margin.0 -
Most people do not choose healthy choices and it is rarely on sale. I shop around and find the best prices. It is worth it when you consider your eliminating some of your expensive food addictions in your past life.0
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I don't find healthy food to be that expensive. You can get a lot of fruits and vegetables for cheap. Tuna and chicken you can get for cheap. A lot of times grocery stores will have deals. I just got a bunch of salmon and avocados at my supermarket at a great price. It's also how you prepare it the food as well, what you chose to buy, and what you need versus what you want. Also, the cheap crap food is going to be more costly in the long run. It's going to cause deterioration in health.0
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We do "Bountiful Baskets" and love it. KInd of a co-op type thing.. you order on a Monday / Tuesday and pick up on Saterday. Always get about half veg, half fruit. I fill two of those re-useable grocery bags Its fun to see what you get each week and I have tried a lot of new things that I probably would not have picked out on my own.
My other save a lot of money trick .. Smiths (some have Kroger) has bagged veggies and fruits together that are miss shaped.. or a little flawed and they sell them for 99 cents for a bag! We went nuts when they did this with pomms and I got them all at 50 cents each.. My kids always steal them from me so I stalked up.
Lately for my lunches I buy chicken in bulk.. seperate it into baggies and freeze into individual servings.
Good Luck!0 -
Don't be too angry Iceman. I recently went shopping with my mom. She likes to go to this hispanic market where the "less then middle class" go. My mom is from Ecuador and we've been here like 50 years but she still gravitates to these little supermarkets that are not national health "whole" food chains if you know which one I mean. I was blown away by the low low prices of these fresh veggies and fruits as swell as the poultry and red meats. I've gone to the chain healthy "whole" food supermarkets and they are expensive. Now I know they promote and push organic but if one is just starting out to eat right organic is not that much of a concern. I mean if your now avoiding DEEP FAT FRIED foods your off to a good start if your going fresh veggies and fruits even if they are not organic or bought at those big chain stores. Hope that helps.0
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Because corn and wheat are heavily subsidized.. then processed to make cheap junk for you..... so that Mrs Obama can battle Obesity... when I dunno, it seems like subidizing the very foods that are getting processed, only encourages more processed foods.
sigh... those foods have been subsidized for decades. it has nothing to do with Obama. I will say putting Monsanto in charge of the FDA was a colossal mistake, but the subsidies are not on him.0 -
Healthy Food IS CHEAP....Fruits Veggies beans and whole grains are not costly ...Tuna chicken and lean beef is cheap!!!
This is exactly my point... And good point0 -
long term, eating healthy and clean will prevent a lot of medical bills. we're too caught up with immediacy. sure, it might cost a little more now, but chances are you're saving money down the road0
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well one reason is that the government subsidizes certain things such as corn (very cheap to grow and makes a lot of profit). so corn starch for example, which is extremely unhealthy, is made extremely cheap and companies then use it in a lot of their products.
exactly. it's an example of capitalism screwing the consumer. it's one of the big reasons the US is now ranked behind 27 other nations in life expectancy.
I think you might be confused about what capitalism is...at least proper capitalism.
It seems to me it is simple capitalism though. Organic and "health" foods are premium items. There are perfectly healthy foods that are extremely cheap as others have mentioned. If it's hyped as a "health food" it's like heavily marketed and therefore more expensive.
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You don't need the omega-3 free range happy hen chicken eggs, the organic avocados, the grass-fed and finished beef, etc. You don't need acai berries, pomegranates, green tea, whole wheat pasta, so on and so forth.
Buy veggies in season and at farmer's markets. Buy meat that is on sale and freeze it. Learn to like beans and rice.0 -
It's been stated already, but worth repeating.
Being healthier will save you $ in the end. No more co-pay for your BP meds, dr bills, hospital visits, etc.
But a few tips to make it easier on your wallet:
1. by in bulk (I shop at Whole Foods for this reason, people probably think I'm wealthy going to Whole Foods all the time - I"m not, but shopping in the bulk section is so much cheaper than paying for packaging)
2. Fruits and veggies are cheaper when you buy them in season, so if you're in the north right now prices on fruits and veggies are higher now than they will be in the summer. You can look for charts on line to see what is in season now and plan your meals based on what is in season. Winter kind of sucks, but I'm noticing kale, cabbage, and mustard greens are in season. These greens are very nutrient dense - you'll probably get a should be able lot of bang for your buck with these guys.
3. Look for farm markets, food co-ops, get creative.
Good luck to you. Wishing you lots and lots of success!0 -
This is a really loaded question, and I could give you a few different answers. Healthy "convenience" foods are the main culprit, especially when labeled "organic." Someone has to foot the bill for the these extra QA processes, and it eventually trickles down to the consumer. I won't get into food subsidies, but that's a factor as well.
To keep it simple here are some ways to keep your healthy food bill pretty low:
1. Avoid convenience foods. Pre-packed and washed salad is incredibly expensive, for example. Buy whole heads of lettuce instead, wash, spin dry and store in a zip top bag. This same principle applies to meat, vegetables, pretty much everything. Instead of spending 5 bucks or more on a week's worth of lettuce, you will spend about $1.00.
2. Look into alternative protein choices. We really don't need to eat meat at every meal. Beans, lentils, tofu, greek yogurt, etc. There are a lot of options out there that are really inexpensive. Beans, the food of poor people everywhere.
3. Buy your dry goods from the bulk bins instead of off the shelves. I pay about $0.75 a pound for my dry goods, instead of the few dollars here and there from the branded goods. It's a huge money saver.
4. When there is a sale on lean protein (chicken breast or similar) buy a month's worth and freeze in 2 serving portions.
5. Eat fruits and vegetables that are in season. Supply vs. demand. When the supply is plentiful, it's going to cost you less. You should be eating lot's of citrus fruits, winter squashes, and leafy winter greens right now.
6. Keep a well-stocked pantry. Stock up on healthy non-perishables when you find them at a good price.0 -
You don't need the omega-3 free range happy hen chicken eggs, the organic avocados, the grass-fed and finished beef, etc. You don't need acai berries, pomegranates, green tea, whole wheat pasta, so on and so forth.
here we go... *closes eyes and crosses fingers*
those foods you listed are actually better for you than their hormone and GMO-laden counterparts, which are cheaper BECAUSE they're hormone and GMO-laden and raised in horrific conditions.
so basically what the government is saying is "eat what we give you (subsidies) or pay more money to be healthier"
that doesn't seem right...0 -
A salad costs 4 dollars. You can buy a burger for 1.
Repurchase value - a bag of fruit has to be eaten and rebought much faster than a bag of cookies.
Convenience - you pay either way - time or money. I have little money and a picky eater bf whose tastes (running towards the unhealthy side) leave me with even little (read: none) money to buy separate food for myself. So what I do manage to procure takes extra time to make.
I'm a bit resentful of the costs, as well. I have no health insurance to be grateful to save on, so that's a moot point for me. Does absolutely nothing for my morale.
Slog through. It can kind of suck, but it is worth it. That is what I keep telling myself.
(Though water IS cheaper. I cannot deny that and have saved ten dollars a week between me dropping out the soda entirely.) That's been enough to buy oranges and a bag of nice bread in it's place. I don't know about healthier, per say, but it's better and tastier than soda.0 -
Take advantage of your Farmers Market! I go every Saturday and stock up. I can get a 10lb bag of potatos for $1. 4 Baskets of Strawberries for $5, Grapes for .89 cents a pound, Banana's for .39 cents a pound...The list goes on! Also, take advantage of your Bulk Barn(is that just Canadian) or local Bulk Store. That's where I get all my cereals, oats, pasta, rice, etc.
I am a frugal shopper and I am able to get all(and a lot of!) my healthy must haves for less!0 -
I was just shaking my head at the store last night! So expensive! It is sad that I can buy a snickers bar cheaper than I can buy an apple!!!!0
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Because corn and wheat are heavily subsidized.. then processed to make cheap junk for you..... so that Mrs Obama can battle Obesity... when I dunno, it seems like subidizing the very foods that are getting processed, only encourages more processed foods.
sigh... those foods have been subsidized for decades. it has nothing to do with Obama. I will say putting Monsanto in charge of the FDA was a colossal mistake, but the subsidies are not on him.
Uh,.. thanks for the history lesson son. I'm well aware of the history of farm subsidies. I still find it ironic that the GOVERNMENT is so heavily subsidizing the very foods that are most commonly processed while the first Lady's pet project is obesity.0 -
After finding worms in my brussel sprouts, I say bring ONNNN the poison. I never buy organic, and I use the bag of frozen chicken breasts. It can be expensive if you let it, but there are definitely more economical choices if you think outside the box.
Hahaha. I remember the first time I bought organic kale. I washed it, cooked some of it and put the rest back in my refrigerator. I then went to wash a dish thinking it had a piece of kale in it. And then the "piece of kale" began to move. I freaked out. Turns out it was a completely harmless cabbage looper. Just wash your produce well. The bugs won't harm you but the poison will...0 -
LoL, you make a point. Growing vegetables is in my blood. Many people just do not realize that organic = bugs. I often tell people if they buy a head of organic lettuce and don't find a bug, it prob isn't really organic. (Things at grocery stores labeled organic is 1 thing bc of regulations but there are people who sell at farmer's markets who will market as organic due to increased value). the only way to really know for sure that your produce is organic is to grow it yourself....but i don't think ppl want to accept this.After finding worms in my brussel sprouts, I say bring ONNNN the poison. I never buy organic, and I use the bag of frozen chicken breasts. It can be expensive if you let it, but there are definitely more economical choices if you think outside the box.
So so so true! My micro biology professor always jokes about how stupid it is that we call foods organic. Just get him started on the topic and he'll spend hours going on and on about how ridiculous it is and what a waste of money. By the way, the soil they use to grow organic vegetables is not completely organic. Did you know that the fertilizers they use contain coffee grounds and other substances that were not grown organically so there for it is not truly organic in that respect.0 -
Check this out, my favorite article about eating healthy on the cheap-
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/10/11/how-to-eat-healthy-without-breaking-the-bank/0 -
After finding worms in my brussel sprouts, I say bring ONNNN the poison. I never buy organic, and I use the bag of frozen chicken breasts. It can be expensive if you let it, but there are definitely more economical choices if you think outside the box.
Hahaha. I remember the first time I bought organic kale. I washed it, cooked some of it and put the rest back in my refrigerator. I then went to wash a dish thinking it had a piece of kale in it. And then the "piece of kale" began to move. I freaked out. Turns out it was a completely harmless cabbage looper. Just wash your produce well. The bugs won't harm you but the poison will...
cabbage looper? Thats extra protein. You mean you didn't eat it? LOL what a waste of good lean protein lol0 -
I just bought 6lbs of chicken and 7lbs of brocc for under $200
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After finding worms in my brussel sprouts, I say bring ONNNN the poison. I never buy organic, and I use the bag of frozen chicken breasts. It can be expensive if you let it, but there are definitely more economical choices if you think outside the box.
Hahaha. I remember the first time I bought organic kale. I washed it, cooked some of it and put the rest back in my refrigerator. I then went to wash a dish thinking it had a piece of kale in it. And then the "piece of kale" began to move. I freaked out. Turns out it was a completely harmless cabbage looper. Just wash your produce well. The bugs won't harm you but the poison will...
Bugs are high in protein, and I found (out of laziness) they don't taste that bad.0 -
Take advantage of your Farmers Market! I go every Saturday and stock up. I can get a 10lb bag of potatos for $1. 4 Baskets of Strawberries for $5, Grapes for .89 cents a pound, Banana's for .39 cents a pound...The list goes on! Also, take advantage of your Bulk Barn(is that just Canadian) or local Bulk Store. That's where I get all my cereals, oats, pasta, rice, etc.
I am a frugal shopper and I am able to get all(and a lot of!) my healthy must haves for less!
I can almost fill my grocery cart at my local farmers market for about $60. My husband was shocked when I took him with me one day. He thought I was making it up. Now he doesn't tease me anymore when I go. Now he says go save me some big bucks lol0 -
Don't be too angry Iceman. I recently went shopping with my mom. She likes to go to this hispanic market where the "less then middle class" go. My mom is from Ecuador and we've been here like 50 years but she still gravitates to these little supermarkets that are not national health "whole" food chains if you know which one I mean. I was blown away by the low low prices of these fresh veggies and fruits as swell as the poultry and red meats. I've gone to the chain healthy "whole" food supermarkets and they are expensive. Now I know they promote and push organic but if one is just starting out to eat right organic is not that much of a concern. I mean if your now avoiding DEEP FAT FRIED foods your off to a good start if your going fresh veggies and fruits even if they are not organic or bought at those big chain stores. Hope that helps.
That reminds me! Go to your local ethnics shops, you can get stuff cheap! I can get pounds of spices at the indian store for dollars, while ounce of spices at the grocery store costs many dollars. Asian stores sell fish relatively cheap, etc.0 -
Because the junk is highly subsidized, directly and indirectly via subsidized fossil fuels. Knowing that, and all the things I know about food politics, makes me want to avoid those foods even more.
Honestly, I spend less now because I eat less. I eat a high fat diet so that i don't have to "fill up". I choose nutrition dense foods not low calorie, high volume.0
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