Healthy eating adds $380 to yearly grocery bill, study shows

so agree. It's worth it

I read that report today......makes it even more worthwhile to read the sale ads for stores and go to farmers market while I can (live in MN). I agree...worth more to feel better and be healthy!!!!

Great article, thanks for sharing!

However, I think $380 is a small price to pay per year when you look at doctor's bills and prescriptions.

This.

It was EXACTLY what I was going to say.... the grocery bill may go up $380, but I can't remember the last time I had a cold.... or a need to see an MD. Totally worth the investment!

I wonder if it takes into account that I eat less now that I'm eating healthy and portion controlling (i.e., 4 oz of ground turkey instead of 6 - 8 oz on ground beef in a burger)

I spend $100-150 a month on groceries for 2 people, eating healthy is CHEAP if you know how to shop.

People spending more to eat healthy aren’t buying appropriate seasonal vegetables or aren't shopping at the best stores. Price matching at Walmart and No Frills means I only go to 1 grocery store a week and do not have to run all over town to get the best prices.

I want to shop where you're shopping . . .

I just saw this article and I thought that it neglected to address the fact that, as a country, Americans typically spend a remarkably SMALL portion of our income on food. I don't have the numbers at hand, but I believe we have gotten used to assuming that we should be able to feed ourselves and our family on, like, 5% of our incomes. But of course, all that cheap food is typically full of empty calories. So, then when we turn around and go to buy vegetables and whole foods, we think "OMG! This is sooooo expensive!" (I do it too). And, well, you get what you pay for! Spending so little on food certainly doesn't seem to be doing much for our health!

Edit: Here's a graphic with the figures I was thinking about: http://www.visualizing.org/visualizations/how-much-our-spending-goes-toward-food

It looks as though Americans typically spend just under 7% on their spending (not necessarily income...) on food compared to over 30%, for example, in China.

I agree that it can be more expensive but, there are some ways to offset it. Get to know your local produce stand owner. Usually they'll make you deals on the produce that's about to be pulled from the shelves. Also, look into CSA or delivery programs. I have organic produce delivered to my house and pay $33 for about 15ish pounds of fruits and veggies.

I'm also a huge proponent of saving in other places so I can pay more for food. Making my own laundry and dish detergent costs 3 cents/load. Making my own hand soap is about $3.50/gallon. The best part is it's super easy and saves a lot of packaging so the environment thanks me. Want the recipes? Let me know.

It's $380 a year - $31.67 a month - $15.84 every 2 weeks... I bet most of us spent more than $15.84 on fast food every 2weeks before we started eating healthy. Well worth the extra money to save my life.

I beleive it. But, it is 110% worth it!

<rant>
what a crock of $h&t..
"Almost 15 percent of households in America say they don't have enough money to eat the way they want to eat," Seligman said. Recent estimates show 49 million Americans make food decisions based on cost, she added.

i really just dont buy it. I think that most Americans eat the comfort foods that they grew up with. There are PLENTY of people that think that to eat healthy means to deprive yourself. Its amazing how many people eat the same things over and over, out of habit, etc. Also, the food pyramid is certainly up for debate when you look at the balance they feel is correct. I also think that a person that is not tracking calories has NO clue about what they consume. Im sure I am not the only one in this forum that was shocked to see the hidden calories I was taking in once I started this process.

I am confident you can eat REAL food for the same money as the typical American's crap diet (UK has done a fine job of catching up to us on obesity numbers). The missing element is education.. if you read the posts on here you will realize that people struggle with WHAT to eat, how to prepare it, what is a proper balance, etc.

How do we educate not only low income people, but all people? Diet/nutrition is a field where there is still so many arguments about the details.. meal timing, nutrient balance, etc.. it can easily overwhelm a person. how do we inform people that fad diets simply do not work? yes you may drop X pounds on the cabbage diet, but you can not maintain an extreme eating plan, and when you revert to "normal" eating, the weight will come back (typically with a few new friends)

the last thing we need in the news is junk like this. to give people an excuse to eat crap is just plain crazy. why did the article not discuss the negatives of a "typical" diet?

</rant>

Mike

I haven't had to buy lettuce all summer. Or onions. Or beets.....the raised beds, and the water, are an expense, but they're totally worth it. Plus, each lovely head of lettuce (and the now amazing zucchini, and the spinach, and berries) are further evidence that seasonal eating pays.

I think this is a less expensive life: I'm healthier, I'm outside more, my kids are learning about food, I've learned how to use my solar oven, and I know what has (or hasn't) been sprayed on my vegetables.

It's a choice whether our healthy lifestyle is going to be more expensive than our prior lifestyle: mine feels so much richer now, though.

I spend $100-150 a month on groceries for 2 people, eating healthy is CHEAP if you know how to shop.

People spending more to eat healthy aren’t buying appropriate seasonal vegetables or aren't shopping at the best stores. Price matching at Walmart and No Frills means I only go to 1 grocery store a week and do not have to run all over town to get the best prices.

this reminds me of the joke where a guy asks for a sandwich with half the calories, and he gets a half of a sandwich.

no frills is cheap - but i dont buy my produce or meat there....you really get what you paid for, its hardly quality