Why is healthy food so expensive?

[Lovelife090994]

Why is healthy food and vegetarianism and veganism so expensive?
In America healthy food is very expensive and yet people hate us all for not buying it. 300< million people yet healthy food pound for pound is so much for expensive than the heart attack diet. It's like a conspiracy to keep us fat and on healthcare we can't afford.

[Korashk]

Can't comment on vegan diets, but vegetarian and healthy diets are not any more expensive than unhealthy diets. People who think they are just don't go grocery shopping very intelligently.

[Lovelife090994]

Can't comment on vegan diets, but vegetarian and healthy diets are not any more expensive than unhealthy diets. People who think they are just don't go grocery shopping very intelligently.

Um in my area it is. My mother can't afford it so I'm stuck eating meat. It is pricey.

[Babs]

People who say that healthy food isn't that expensive probably live pretty comfortably.
Here's the thing, I can buy a pound of chicken for $0.69 or a pound of apples for three times that amount, possibly even more.
Produce is a whole lot more expensive than meat, and meals with lots of sodium like instant noodles, or food with a lot of carbs like pasta. Soy and almond milk are more expensive than a gallon of cow milk, while still getting a whole lot less.
I don't necessarily think that vegan and vegetarian diets are the only healthy way, but they're generally pretty healthy but expensive as fuck. We hardly ever have vegetables around the house because they're so damn expensive for the amount of people we have living here.
People are always bitching about how fat America is well most people can't afford this shit so it's not our fault. Healthier choices shouldn't be so expensive, but I'm not sure what we can do to change that.

[boytoynamedtroy]

I agree, healthy food should be cheaper, so the majority would be able to afford it. That way, the whole world would be healthier, except maybe those who hate to be healthy. But in all fairness, I think they manufacture junk food using cheaper material over healthy food, maybe that's why they cost you more.

People who say that healthy food isn't that expensive probably live pretty comfortably.
Here's the thing, I can buy a pound of chicken for $0.69 or a pound of apples for three times that amount, possibly even more.
Produce is a whole lot more expensive than meat, and meals with lots of sodium like instant noodles, or food with a lot of carbs like pasta. Soy and almond milk are more expensive than a gallon of cow milk, while still getting a whole lot less.
I don't necessarily think that vegan and vegetarian diets are the only healthy way, but they're generally pretty healthy but expensive as fuck. We hardly ever have vegetables around the house because they're so damn expensive for the amount of people we have living here.
People are always bitching about how fat America is well most people can't afford this shit so it's not our fault. Healthier choices shouldn't be so expensive, but I'm not sure what we can do to change that.

Maybe it depends on where you're located. In our country, I'd say healthy food is cheaper. I mean, vegetables are healthy, and they cost way less than hotdogs, etc.


-merged double post. -Emerald Dream.

[Lovelife090994]

People who say that healthy food isn't that expensive probably live pretty comfortably.
Here's the thing, I can buy a pound of chicken for $0.69 or a pound of apples for three times that amount, possibly even more.
Produce is a whole lot more expensive than meat, and meals with lots of sodium like instant noodles, or food with a lot of carbs like pasta. Soy and almond milk are more expensive than a gallon of cow milk, while still getting a whole lot less.
I don't necessarily think that vegan and vegetarian diets are the only healthy way, but they're generally pretty healthy but expensive as fuck. We hardly ever have vegetables around the house because they're so damn expensive for the amount of people we have living here.
People are always bitching about how fat America is well most people can't afford this shit so it's not our fault. Healthier choices shouldn't be so expensive, but I'm not sure what we can do to change that.

I agree, healthy food should be cheaper, so the majority would be able to afford it. That way, the whole world would be healthier, except maybe those who hate to be healthy. But in all fairness, I think they manufacture junk food using cheaper material over healthy food, maybe that's why they cost you more.



Maybe it depends on where you're located. In our country, I'd say healthy food is cheaper. I mean, vegetables are healthy, and they cost way less than hotdogs, etc.


-merged double post. -Emerald Dream.

I updated my views in the thread.

[Canadian Dream]

First, the reason healthy food costs so much is because it isn't massed produced like most of the food in North America, so therefore you need to pay more for products that aren't in as great quantity because otherwise farmers aren't able to afford it. Food that isn't as healthy can be made in greater quantities with ingredients of lesser quality, plus demand is much higher. As for your high healthcare costs, reason is it's privatized, so they can put their prices as high as they want.

[CharlieHorse]

It's expensive because cheap food is unhealthy

[phuckphace]

"healthy food costs more" is a myth. the ultra-expensive organic vegan food marketed to hipsters isn't the only health option available.

I work at a high-end grocery store for rich people and even here we have virtually limitless healthy options that are affordable and sometimes even surprisingly cheap. in fact just yesterday I bought a bag of peeled carrots for $1.29 and a yogurt for 40 cents. I actually made a thread about this a few months ago, and I stick by my assertion that it's not prices but laziness and overindulging.

[Miserabilia]

The idea that healthy food is expensive is a common misconception. In most cases, the truth is that people just don't know how to be healthy.
One thing I noticed hen I was in the uSA is the drasticly different approach to food.

For one, it's concidered normal to eat out (as in, restaurant, order, etc.) once a week or even more. That's pretty dramatic compared to what I do here, alwas cooking our own meals and eating at home.

Another thing is that a lot of people seemed to be buying pre-made or prepared meals or parts of meals. For example, canned goods, pre made sauces and herbs.
Again, quite different from what we do here. We have a couple of plants in our house for basic herbs. Buying a plant is super cheap, holding it is easy, and it pays itself off in a lot of herbs,compared to how expensive they are to buy in stores.

Just go to a normal supermarket, superstore, nothing special; buy a bunch of vegetables (seriously, basic vegetables are very cheap, often cheaper than meat.), and that's it; vegetables, potato's, fruits; all things that are not packed, not canned, not processed, and therefore can be sold CHEAPLY;

I've noticed a trend in buying "healthy foods' specificly as foods that are 'classified' as healthy, either a special brand, or even go to special stores.
It's
-unnececairy
-expensive

Honestly, eating healthy food is cheap;
go do groceries, that's it.

[fairmaiden]

pffff. This one is kind of hard to answer actually. Well I think it's because they're hoping that people won't notice the 'extra 2 dollars' they add to the price of veg/organic produce and will be blinded by the fact that it's healthy food.

[ImCoolBeans]

Can't comment on vegan diets, but vegetarian and healthy diets are not any more expensive than unhealthy diets. People who think they are just don't go grocery shopping very intelligently.

"healthy food costs more" is a myth. the ultra-expensive organic vegan food marketed to hipsters isn't the only health option available.

I work at a high-end grocery store for rich people and even here we have virtually limitless healthy options that are affordable and sometimes even surprisingly cheap. in fact just yesterday I bought a bag of peeled carrots for $1.29 and a yogurt for 40 cents. I actually made a thread about this a few months ago, and I stick by my assertion that it's not prices but laziness and overindulging.

I agree with Korashk and Phuckphace. It does not cost much more, or any more, to eat a healthy diet. People who claim that don't know how to shop -- sorry if you don't know how to shop, but it's true -- I work in one of the more expensive grocery stores in the area that I live in, and like Phuckphace, it is a higher end, gourmet type of store. Despite being a bit more pricey than the national or big regional chains in the area, you can still shop there relatively cheaply, while maintaining a healthy diet. You really just have to know how to shop for sales.

Just because Apples are healthy, doesn't mean that you have to buy them the week they're not on sale. While one type of produce isn't on sale, others will be, and kinds that aren't on sale likely will be in the near future. It's not like retail where something may only go on sale once or twice per year.

[dirtyboxer55]

vegetarianism/vegaism =/= healthy

you can be a man and eat red meat, or you can be a vegetarian

[James Dean]

This is just in my area, but some markets, food is priced on freshness. The fresher the food is, the more expensive it is. I guess eating healthier and fresher food will affect the taste thus making eating more pleasurable, while eating flat and unfresh food won't hurt you, but it won't taste and look as good as fresh food.

[Stronk Serb]

Here it's fucking expensive to eat fast food. It's a lot cheaper to go to a supermarket or bazaar and buy some veggies, meat at the butcher's and prepare it yourself. Just one trip to McDonald's costs 1/25 of the average salary per person. Plus when I or mom make it, it's delicious.

[Miserabilia]

I agree with Korashk and Phuckphace. It does not cost much more, or any more, to eat a healthy diet. People who claim that don't know how to shop -- sorry if you don't know how to shop, but it's true -- I work in one of the more expensive grocery stores in the area that I live in, and like Phuckphace, it is a higher end, gourmet type of store. Despite being a bit more pricey than the national or big regional chains in the area, you can still shop there relatively cheaply, while maintaining a healthy diet. You really just have to know how to shop for sales.

Just because Apples are healthy, doesn't mean that you have to buy them the week they're not on sale. While one type of produce isn't on sale, others will be, and kinds that aren't on sale likely will be in the near future. It's not like retail where something may only go on sale once or twice per year.

On one hand I can aggree to this, on the other I wonder why you go to a special store? I don't understand why you don't buy veggies fruits and whatnot from your regular grocery store?
Sorry, different culture and whatnot. Explain away

[ImCoolBeans]

On one hand I can aggree to this, on the other I wonder why you go to a special store? I don't understand why you don't buy veggies fruits and whatnot from your regular grocery store?
Sorry, different culture and whatnot. Explain away

Because certain people like to go places where they get pampered and can be abusive, lying, thieving, pompous snobs and get away with it :P

[phuckphace]

another thing: most newspapers these days include a booklet of coupons tucked in with the ad flyers. the paper costs $2 for the Sunday issue but the savings you can get with these coupons total way more than that. all major brands print coupons as incentives, you just have to know where to look.

[Lovelife090994]

Hello. I wasn't lying. Produce, healthy grains, meatless options, and the like are more expensive in my are and in my history of shopping around. My mother is a teacher so she is not paid a lot at all and we can't afford much. We want to eat healthy but can't eat as healthy as we'd like. Plus how can we without the money and recipes? Things overseas are different.

[phuckphace]

every recipie for everything from tuna salad to meth can be pulled off Google for free.

even if we assume that all healthy food is in fact say, twice as expensive as junk food on average, that doesn't mean you should throw up your hands and reach for the Ding Dongs. you can healthy in smaller amounts while reducing your portion size each meal, and if you're still hungry you can offset the small servings with protein supplements. stir a spoonful of protein into your oatmeal in the morning, and take multivitamins regularly. not only will you feel better but you'll have more energy and less stressed (poor diets can exacerbate stress and depression).

again, coupons are available for all of this too.

[tovaris]

Сuz its a great way to make money. And because producing unhealthy food uses lesser ingredients, dus making production cheeper.

[phuckphace]

another thing, meat when eaten as a part of a healthy diet isn't bad for you. when it's battered, deep-fried and eaten by the pound every day, not so much.

[Miserabilia]

Because certain people like to go places where they get pampered and can be abusive, lying, thieving, pompous snobs and get away with it :P

:lol3: *oh you* :P

[Korashk]

Hello. I wasn't lying. Produce, healthy grains, meatless options, and the like are more expensive in my are and in my history of shopping around.
Define "your area". How far are you and your mother traveling for food? A membership to a club warehouse would probably do your family good. Plus, it's not like meat is unhealthy. Your posts come off as trying to claim it is, but it's not.

My mother is a teacher so she is not paid a lot at all and we can't afford much.
I have less than 200$ per month to spend on everything I don't need to pay for and I manage to eat two healthy meals almost every day. I'm sure your mom has more than that to spend.

We want to eat healthy but can't eat as healthy as we'd like. Plus how can we without the money and recipes?
This just sounds like you're just complaining for its own sake. I'm 100% positive your family has enough money to eat healthy most of the time and every recipe for any food you can think of can be gotten for free on the internet.

[QUOTE]Things overseas are different.
What does this have to do with anything? Prices are mostly higher outside of America. I know most European and Australian prices are higher than American ones.

[Batman42]

Because it takes more to produce it

[Lovelife090994]

Define "your area". How far are you and your mother traveling for food? A membership to a club warehouse would probably do your family good. Plus, it's not like meat is unhealthy. Your posts come off as trying to claim it is, but it's not.


I have less than 200$ per month to spend on everything I don't need to pay for and I manage to eat two healthy meals almost every day. I'm sure your mom has more than that to spend.

[QUOTE]We want to eat healthy but can't eat as healthy as we'd like. Plus how can we without the money and recipes?
This just sounds like you're just complaining for its own sake. I'm 100% positive your family has enough money to eat healthy most of the time and every recipe for any food you can think of can be gotten for free on the internet.


What does this have to do with anything? Prices are mostly higher outside of America. I know most European and Australian prices are higher than American ones.

You seem to not understand or be willing to acknowledge and learn that healthy food is not affordable in every neighborhood. I live in a small city outside of Houston. And what YOU do is for ONE person, not THREE. And I don't like meat, yes it can be good but meatless alternatives are a little over budget pound per dollar.

[Miserabilia]

You seem to not understand or be willing to acknowledge and learn that healthy food is not affordable in every neighborhood. I live in a small city outside of Houston. And what YOU do is for ONE person, not THREE. And I don't like meat, yes it can be good but meatless alternatives are a little over budget pound per dollar.


Do supermarkets in your neighborhood not exist, or do they not sell vegetables?

[Lovelife090994]

Do supermarkets in your neighborhood not exist, or do they not sell vegetables?

They exist but not on every block or anything like that. The ones that sell produce in a variety or produce that isn't so "past due" normally are the places charging a buck to five for one fruit. Vegetables are usually a little higher per pound especially carrots, squashes, tomatoes, asparagus, and a few others just to name a few. Why is it so hard to believe the healthy foods and produce are so expensive?

[Stronk Serb]

They exist but not on every block or anything like that. The ones that sell produce in a variety or produce that isn't so "past due" normally are the places charging a buck to five for one fruit. Vegetables are usually a little higher per pound especially carrots, squashes, tomatoes, asparagus, and a few others just to name a few. Why is it so hard to believe the healthy foods and produce are so expensive?

I don't know. Here me and my mom get past the month with about 900 dollars. It's actually cheaper to buy healthy food and not eat in McDonald's, KFC and such. I think our government has determined a maximum price for every piece of food.

[Lovelife090994]

I don't know. Here me and my mom get past the month with about 900 dollars. It's actually cheaper to buy healthy food and not eat in McDonald's, KFC and such. I think our government has determined a maximum price for every piece of food.

My mom and I are about to get less than that. In America eating out is always pricier but unhealthy choices are cheapest.

[Stronk Serb]

My mom and I are about to get less than that. In America eating out is always pricier but unhealthy choices are cheapest.

A maximum price should be determined for all foods. Two pounds of tomatoes, carrots and such should be three dollars top, like here. It's about six dollars for two pounds of meat (I use two pounds because of the metric system here, one kilogram is roughly two pounds), oil is about 1,5 dollars. Minus the expences we get 400 dollars for food and we get a surplus of about 150 dollars.

[ImCoolBeans]

Why is it so hard to believe the healthy foods and produce are so expensive?

It's not "hard to believe"... I think you're just exaggerating the price a bit. It's really not as bad as you're making it out to be. Produce prices don't vary /that/ much in different parts of the U.S. and are actually typically a little cheaper in the south than in the North. I've been to grocery stores in 5 different states, in the Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest, and have witnessed it first hand.

[ImagineRepublicCity]

I wouldn't say eating meat is more expensive than eating vegetables and fruits because really, I think the order or cheapest food groups would be carbs, Veg/Fruit then meats but if you're talking about the whole "going organic" and what not, yeah, I would say it is drastically more expensive. Here a probably a couple of reasons->

1. It's generally more expensive for the producer. I mean, evident with organic food, not only is it's shelf life lowered, but it also takes longer/more effort to produce. Hence, for the cost, producers are naturally forced to raise the price.
2. With fast food, half of it is either poorly quality or high in additives. All a place has to do is take leftovers from a producer, food items which cannot be sold, and mash them all together, add a couple of preservatives, and the pricing to do that is extremely low.
3. Possibly due to demand? I'm not so sure with this, but consumers now wanting foods high in glucose and sodium might be the whole reason the prices are so low and hence, healthier foods are cheap.

Though all in all seriousness, I think Healthy food on it's own isn't expensive, but the effort exhausted on healthy food is. The more natural the product, the more you have to do to manage it to it's final product I assume.

[Miserabilia]

They exist but not on every block or anything like that. The ones that sell produce in a variety or produce that isn't so "past due" normally are the places charging a buck to five for one fruit. Vegetables are usually a little higher per pound especially carrots, squashes, tomatoes, asparagus, and a few others just to name a few. Why is it so hard to believe the healthy foods and produce are so expensive?

Because of the location difference I suppose. I've never been anywhere where I couldn't get healthy foods for atleast a reasonable price. It's wealthy enough here to have a lot of different brands of food and chain stores, and I've also been to places that are poor enough to sell fruits actualy very cheaply.
I think the layer in between, as the lower middle class I suppose, just has a gap.

It makes sense in some aspect though, which you can see from looking at obesity and wealth and how they're related. The poor buy their own fresher foods, the wealthy buy from stores with healthy options, and the lower middle class has lesser options, more fastfood chains and more obesity.

Would that be a reasonable way to look at it?

[Lovelife090994]

Because of the location difference I suppose. I've never been anywhere where I couldn't get healthy foods for atleast a reasonable price. It's wealthy enough here to have a lot of different brands of food and chain stores, and I've also been to places that are poor enough to sell fruits actualy very cheaply.
I think the layer in between, as the lower middle class I suppose, just has a gap.

It makes sense in some aspect though, which you can see from looking at obesity and wealth and how they're related. The poor buy their own fresher foods, the wealthy buy from stores with healthy options, and the lower middle class has lesser options, more fastfood chains and more obesity.

Would that be a reasonable way to look at it?

Obesity? Newsflash not everyone poor is obese and not everyone obese is going to die in a few days. I have had it with shaming people.

[ImCoolBeans]

Obesity? Newsflash not everyone poor is obese and not everyone obese is going to die in a few days. I have had it with shaming people.

... He never said all poor people are fat? And nobody shamed anybody... You've had it with that? I've had it with you making insane assumptions, and putting words in everyone's moths :lol3:

Your argument is running around in circles.

[phuckphace]

I'm having a hard time believing it mainly because I lived in Texas for 6 months and there's no shortage of healthy food at reasonable prices there as well.

I don't know why my post about portion sizes got ignored either. whey protein supplements are God's gift to mankind when it comes to diets. eat smaller portions and stretch the remainder with a protein shake, like I do. you'll get all your nutrients and the protein makes you feel full so you eat less.

one caveat: whey protein is a bit pricey (generally between 15 - 25 dollars for a big pound tub of it) but it's a worthwhile investment. it actually tastes good (I like the creamy strawberry but you can get lots of other flavors too) and between two people it'll last you about a month. you can use powdered milk instead of bottled milk to save a few bucks, and those coupon booklets I mentioned usually always have coupons for protein mixes and bars in every issue. personally I like to buy those packets of flavored oatmeal and stir some of the protein powder in it, my breakfast for the last few months, lol. even with the price of the protein figured in I still spend less than I did on the heart attack diet.