Are Cheap Foods Really Cheap?

a I wanted to buy some almonds that weren’t roasted knowing that they were good for me. Looking at the price on the tiny tin can, I slowly place them back neatly on the shelf. What would possess me to spend nearly twice as much as, lets say..a box of Cheez-its? Which I would probably have enjoyed more and would get more substance out of. Like you guessed, I left the store happily with the box of Cheez-its and several cheaper alternatives knowing that I saved a couple of bucks. Or did I?

This example of the healthy almonds and unhealthy Cheez-its is only one of hundreds and thousands cases where the unhealthy food is the cheaper alternative. You notice that in every grocery store the produce and healthier food choices are much much more expensive than something processed in a can or box. I also have witnessed this as I tagged along with my mom on weekend trips to the local Hannafords. Everything labeled “organic” or “healthier” was nearly twice as much as its “unhealthy” counterpart. Fruits and veggies don’t last as long, and more expensive than canned fruits and vegetables. Could this be why so many people these days choose the unhealthy foods? Yes, anyone can argue that this is a main factor to food choices. Some families might not have the funds to eat healthy.

But for those who can afford this option, are you making the right choice by saving money on processed foods? We are paying a very heavy price for unhealthy food — and will pay even more over time.

What does this mean? If you define “food” based only on calories, then it’s possible to argue that junk food or unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food. Yes, if you want to maximize calories per dollar, junk food is the way to go. But why use calories as the main factor to foods? Are you really trying to maximize your calories?

What about vitamins and minerals per dollar? Antioxidants per dollar? Fiber content per dollar? Using these more desirable factors, healthy, organic, vegetarian food is the cheapest food you can buy. Though they might seem more expensive at the check out, they contain much more essential elements for a healthier mind and body. When you buy foods, you should think about what they can offer you, nutritionally of course. There is more to buying foods than “what can fill me up the most”. In most cases, those foods that “fill you up” cause you to become hungry more quickly.

It’s crucial to accept that good food leads to a healthier lifestyle, and overall health. You would be crazy if you thought that you can be healthy without eating healthy. The negative effects of unhealthy foods may be minor in the short term, but the cumulative effects are devastating.

People eat junk food to save money. But what’s the cost of chronic fatigue? Obesity? Heart disease? Cancer? Early retirement? Early death? All these issues can arise when you choose to eat cheaper foods. In the short term you may be saying money on a weekly basis, but what will the costs be to diagnose and treat these conditions?

You will pay far more in the long run for unhealthy food than you will for good food.

We seem disconnected from the reality of what real food is. Burgers, deep fried chicken, hot dogs, deli meats, fries, chips, soda, donuts, white bread, white pasta, white flours or any other of thousands of processed foods filling the shelters at grocery stores looks like food, but is really a global science project. Such “food” is cheap because it is garbage. It provides little or no nutritional value and it’s usually loaded with sugar, bad fats, preservatives, artificial flavors, artificial colors, GMO’s, pesticides and more, all of which are seriously detrimental to our health.

So next time you think about buying “cheaper” foods, think of it as a marathon and not the 100 meter dash.

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~ by taopham on September 22, 2009.