Does it cost more to eat healthily than to fill up on fast foods? That is the question researchers in the US set out to answer in two separate studies. It seems the answer depends on whether you can cook, how you measure food and your income.
Fruit and Veg Costs Less...
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released an analysis of a wide range of foods. It found that going by weight and serving size, fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk and grains cost less than sugary, high-fat foods, fish, chicken and meat.
The message was clear: eating healthily costs less than a junk-food diet. This was a refreshing read, given many recent studies have pointed to high-calorie, low-nutrient foods as being less expensive than fresh, whole foods.
…Or Do They?
One such study was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle. They approached the topic by studying the cost of food in relation to its nutritional content.
They found that foods that are higher in essential nutrients did in fact cost more per calorie than nutrient-poor goods.
On the other hand, nutrients that are linked to a higher risk of disease were associated with a lower diet cost.
Researcher Adam Drewnowksi said, "This may help somewhat explain why lower-income groups fail to comply with dietary guidelines and have higher rates of diet-related chronic disease."
The Truth
As you might expect, both the USDA and Drewnowski slam one another's research. The USDA has criticised Drewnowski's use of calories to measure the cost of food. On the other hand, Drewnowski believes the USDA has is wrong, since many fruits and vegetables contain 90 per cent water.
What they do agree on, however, is that people who know how to cook are better placed to eat healthily without blowing the budget.
Drewnowski notes that cooking healthy meals is a skill and would require Americans to change the way they view food. He argues that consumers could make their dollar go further if they swapped fatty, sugary foods for more nutritious options.
Tips for Eating on a Budget
- Take a cooking class: add a few more healthy recipes to your repertoire and enjoy experimenting with wholesome food.
- Visit a nutritionist, naturopath or dietitian for advice on adopting a healthy (and cheap) eating plan.
- Shop at farmers' markets for produce that's fresh from the farm. Often it costs much less than the supermarkets.
- Always shop on a full stomach, as you'll be less likely to toss junk food into the trolley when you're not hungry.
- Plan your meals: you can pick up meal planner templates in stationery shops or online. The more you plan, the easier it is to keep an eye on your food budget.
