Healthy Food Costs Vs. Unhealthy Food Costs

Eating healthy is expensive, or so the experts say. This might be the reason behind the increase in the popularity of junk food: you can feed a family of four on just a few dollars if you go to a fast-food restaurant. Head to a diner or a salad bar, however, and you will need to increase your budget considerably.

Costs

According to a 2010 study published in the journal 'Psychological Science," the cost of healthy food such as fruits and vegetables has increased almost 200 percent since 1983. The cost of unhealthy foods, on the other hand, has changed less. For example, carbonated drinks cost just 30 percent more than they did in 1983. Sweets and sugars have increased in cost by about 65 percent.

Calorie Values

When it comes to meeting your daily calorie requirements, it's a lot cheaper to do it with unhealthy foods. For example, let's say you need to eat 2,000 calories based on your age, weight and level of physical activity. According to a 2007 study published in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association," you could get 1,000 calories for under a couple of dollars if you're buying unhealthy foods such as high-fat snacks. However, getting 1,000 calories from healthy foods will cost you close to $20. This is because healthy food is lower in calories, so you need to buy more of it to meet your caloric intake. That's on top of the fact that healthy foods already cost more, in general.

Dealing with Higher Costs

Experts believe it's possible to eat healthy foods even though they're more expensive. It's just a question of learning to shop. For example, unhealthy fast food is not always cheap. While you could get a meal at McDonald's or Burger King for a couple of dollars, other options are not as affordable. A large pizza form Domino's or Pizza Hut could easily set you back $20. For the same amount of money, you could stock up on frozen chicken, beans, frozen vegetables and bread, which could be combined to create at least a couple of meals.

Obesity and Finances

According to a 2004 study published in the "Annual Review of Public Health," obesity is closely linked to financial hardship. Since unhealthy food is cheaper, it makes sense for people who are poorer to focus on them as a primary source of nourishment. However, the list of cheaper foods include fats and oils, sugars and sweets, all of which are higher in calories than healthier foods. A 2010 data survey conducted by the Brookings Institution showed that people in poor neighborhoods are less likely to have access to supermarkets where they can buy healthy foods. Instead, they are surrounded by fast-food places and other unhealthy-food options. Since many don't have a car or convenient transportation options, they are forced to shop for unhealthy foods just because of their location.