There is a misleading contradiction that says paying less for low quality food is better than buying “whole” foods that are more expensive. So, is it accurate to say that it is less expensive to purchase several low-quality items to feed the family or purchase healthy fruits and vegetables for the same price?
Healthy food isn’t more expensive if something cheaper leads to obesity, diabetes, gut problems, immune system issues and all sorts of chronic diseases.
A big part of the problem is that most people don’t really even realize the negative effects of so many of the foods they are eating. This can be in the moment or long term.
The sad truth is that the true cost of unhealthy food isn’t just the price tag. Dr. Mark Hyman, a physician and author, states that the real costs are hidden. However, eating healthy doesn’t have to cost more. While it may seem cheaper to eat a burger, fries and super-sized soda than to eat a meal of real, whole foods, there are plenty of healthier options. Poverty or financial limitations do not have to dictate how well we eat or our health.
A good place to start is by understanding why unhealthy food is cheaper. Dr. Hyman, states that, in addition to the money spent to subsidize corn and soy production, they turn around and use those products in the form of high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated soybean oil (or trans fats). These are the foundation for almost all fast and processed foods manufactured by the food industry.
Dr Hyman Goes on to say that the lower price tag doesn’t explain the other costs that are much higher. Bad foods for our health are also much more expensive for our pocketbook.
He states that healthcare costs related to obesity are $118 billion per year. Seventy-two percent of Americans are overweight, and close to 40% are medically obese.
Hyman references a report from the Worldwatch Institute. The article is called Overfed and Underfed: The Global Epidemic of Malnutrition. In it, they document the real costs of obesity related to poor diet. These costs do not include the other effects of a poor diet, like heart disease, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
Worldwatch Institute found that obesity accounted for a larger share of health-related absences from work. It also accounts for 7% of lost business productivity due to sick leave and disability. Side effects of obesity account for 40% more physician visits. Those with obesity are 2.5 times more likely to be prescribed drugs for cardiovascular and circulation issues.
We are saying that cheap processed foods might look lower in price than the more expensive whole foods in the short term. However, the total cost you pay isn’t reflected in how much you pay for your meal in the moment.
It’s the cumulative cost of what those decisions cost you over a lifetime. Your diabetes, obesity and heart disease didn’t get there overnight. It happened one meal at a time and over time.
When we eat unhealthy foods, the costs of medical visits skyrocket. There is also the non-economic costs of eating poorly. We reduce our ability to enjoy life in the moment due to fatigue, pain, and discomfort. Eating well isn’t just about preventing disease and its high cost later. Rather, the biggest advantage is having a high quality of life and being able to enjoy each day to its fullest right now.
We need to turn the ship around in our thinking that whole foods are more expensive than cheaper processed food.
Even a small step in the right direction can make a big difference. You may have to learn some new ways of shopping and eating in order to make your health and nutrition a priority. Even if it’s hard in the beginning. Any change can be hard, but you will progressively begin to feel better physically, and you will feel better about yourself, as well.
We may have to re-arrange our priorities sometimes in order to afford to eat certain healthy foods, but it’s worth it on so many levels. Don’t get caught up in the thinking that you can change tomorrow or that you have plenty of time for you and your family. It really does need to start now. Simply switching from processed foods to a whole food diet is a huge step in the right direction for cost savings today and certainly down the road.