The "eating healthy is expensive" myth

BUMP!

I don't think those prices are reflecting the recent inflation....For me where I live it is cheaper to buy frozen packed meals rather than fresh. Not to mention they keep longer so I don't spend as much as in gas going to the store as often to pick up fresh food either.

Need this.

I dont care how much food costs. Its goin in my body. Id rather say no to 100 shoes then buy crap food IMHO.

Hmm, those prices don't mesh with what I pay.

Hell one pound of chicken breast is like 5 bucks now.
Loaf of bread 3 or 4...

Sadly, yep. It must really depend on where one lives and what's available, I guess?

Most of the prices don't mesh with my local stores, and I live in a big metropolitan area with lots of access to local produce, etc. However, the prices at the local farmers' markets are astronomical compared to the grocery stores, so I generally skip farmers' markets even though the produce looks delicious. A pound of chicken breasts in my local store can be anywhere from 3-5 dollars, depending on sales!!! Ground turkey is at least $3 per pound. But if I skipped the poultry, the natural PB, etc, and bought only dried beans and the cheapest frozen veggies, then yeah, those things are pretty cheap.

That's so strange, here going to the farmers market saves me a ton of money! The produce is close to half price.

Same with me, I live in a rural area and during the spring and summer farmers markets are on every road and frequently in town it's wonderful. Also, whoever has to pay $5 for a pound of chicken, that's crazy!! I can get chicken breast here for $1.97 a pound and stock up when it goes on sale for $1.50 a pound. I have to buy it at walmart which I hate but to save $2 a pound it's worth it.

Why is this chart made using the cheapest "healthy" food and the most expensive "unhealthy" food?

because it isn't an honest chart. it's a graphic made with the intention of proving a point. one that, in the experience of many, is incorrect. so, in fact, the myth is a myth myth is a myth.

So much of it depends on where you live, what you were eating before and whether or not now that you are now choosing organic produce and meat vs just non-organic versions of the same. I don't usually buy the organic versions unless they are the same price as the regular.

I'm spending a lot less money now because of not buying doritos, bags of pizza rolls, fast food, and the like. I also don't buy much fruit, sometimes strawberries or bananas, but usually only if they are on sale. Prices for blueberries and other small berries really are expensive..haven't checked out the frozen versions though, I will! Chicken breasts I often get for 2.00 to 2.50 a lb (boneless skinless, on sale). I buy a lot when they are on sale. If they aren't on sale I buy thighs instead, and debone them myself and those are often between 1.50 and 2.00 a lb. I just bought three 2 lb bags of frozen broccoli for 1.98 a bag. I eat a lot of rice and beans, and use a lot of canned tomatoes. Lettuce, red or green peppers, cucumbers and onions are things I buy every 5 or 6 days and can't really wait for a sale on but they aren't too expensive usually. The most expensive things I regularly buy are greek yogurt (about 6 dollars for one of the 4 cup tubs) , one of the low calorie breads (usually about 4 to 4.5 dollars) and eggs. I only will buy cage free eggs, the regular eggs are usually cheap though. I live 20 miles away from the closest big grocery stores and find myself now planning my shopping in great detail, whereas before I didn't plan much at all. We do have a small grocery close to us but items are much more expensive there in general.

I'm spending more at the store now, but I'm able to make more meals out of what I buy than if I spent $20/day on restaurant meals. We were doing way too much eating out even if we were making the healthier choices from given menus. I shop the perimeter and have started buying more fresh fruit, especially on sale. I keep an eye out for coupons that will help with dairy prices and frozen fruits/veggies as well. I started coupon shopping last year and figured out how to stretch the grocery money a bit further. Now If I can just convince my self that water that I put through my Brita pitcher tastes as good as bottled water and start refilling my water bottles, we will be onto something.

It can be more expensive as my husband and daughter are obviously not dieting...lol! I get different butter, mayo, ect and get the stuff they like as well. It has only changed in the form of fast food, eating out, and quick stop marts. I don't go in for a Starbucks 3 days a week and take my lunch to work daily, including all snacks.

It WILL change and go up drastically if you make the change to veggie / vegan eating. Veggie food is super pricey!!!! Oh, and you are right, our produce here in the states can be a bit on the expensive side, so we just hit up the farmers market during the season and are starting our own garden as well!

I wouldnt call a lot of those "healthy" options healthy.