Are healthy foods really more expensive - new study shows not always

This is something that we hear all the time.  Healthy food is too expensive.

 

In this new study about the cost of healthy foods, foods are analyzed in a couple of different ways.

 

This study tried to look at healthy foods with a very precise definition because as have a clear measurable definition is key to a fair comparison.  This study defined healthy foods as meeting this criteria:

 

Here is what they found:

(Not surprising) It really depended on what a person used to determine whether a healthy food cost more or less when compared to high fat, high calorie foods that have little nutritional value.

 

It is all in how you measure or compare!

 

If you simply look at calories, then healthy foods that tend to be lower in calories but higher in nutrition seemed to cost more.  You can go to a fast food restaurant and get a lot of calories for a smaller amount of money

 

If you compare portion sizes for food groups then grains, vegetables, fruit, and dairy foods were less expensive than most protein foods and foods high in saturated fat, added sugars, and/or sodium.

 

If we start comparing the quality and nutrition of our foods than we can say that healthy foods are a better deal.  

 

Portion size is a big determinant.  We all know the portion sizes have gotten out of control.  We think bigger portions are a better deal.  But we actually don't need all that food and it gets stored as fat.

 

It is all in how we look at it.  Smaller portions in line with the My Plate food groups serving size is a better deal!

 

It's all in how you look at it.

 

Portion Control and Serving size resources

Vegetables Servings

Fruit Servings

Dairy Servings

Grains Servings

Protein Servings

Estimating Portions

Larger Portion Facts

Daily Meal Plans For Kids

Portion Control Printables for kids