Being healthy is too expensive?
Should our pocket book determine our diet? Does our position on the social status ladder predict how healthy or unhealthy we are?
We all know that “healthy” foods are expensive, definitely more expensive than “unhealthy” foods, but how does this affect us? Of course majority of us eat what is considered healthy foods every once in awhile, but if we had to put numbers to what we eat the unhealthy would surely outweigh the healthy.
It is up to the consumer to be able to make their own choices on how to establish their diet, however this is not entirely the consumer’s fault. Companies that market “healthy” foods have them selling at a very high price. The price for a pound of apples can cost as much as $4.25 where as for the same amount of money you can get stock up on candy and junk and get about 3 cavities.
Studies have shown that people at the poverty line or below are the most unhealthy in this society, but why? If you piece the puzzle together the big picture is a big dollar sign, that's what it boils down to. “It is easier and cheaper to produce and sell GMO foods” says Laniece Carter, Morgan Park High School graduate. Even though there is no real scientific way to give an absolute truth to this statement we can all clearly see that most people do happen to buy quick unhealthy foods more frequently. You can look at how a single pack of ramen noodles, which is a popular snack, can cost about 50 cents as to a salad that can cost about $3.
Now if your bank account was not necessarily the greatest which one would you choose? It would be smarter be go the cheaper route.
“Companies that sell these healthy foods raise their prices due to the fact that it's natural and no preservatives are in it. They profit off of knowing what we should we should eat and to buy their products regardless of how much it affects our checkbooks” says LaShunda Felton, secretary for Stateville correctional facility.
Research shows that the most popular item on the Mcdonalds menu is the cheeseburger which is $1. The funny thing is McDonald's also sells salads on the same menu.however the price of salad is about $5 including tax. Why would anybody buy a $5 salad when they can get full off of 3 cheeseburgers and still come out cheaper. These facts are in direct correlation to why obesity has reached a troubling 38% of all Americans.
“I am trying to lose weight and one thing I laid off of was red meat and it has costed me a pretty penny trying to eat salads and make meatless dinners even with the coupons I use. Not sure why, but I think the less these companies tamper with the food the more expensive it is.” says Curtis Pointer Jr, Lewis University graduate. It almost seems as though if we want to eat healthy and be able to pay the rent farming is the only option. Growing our own food sounds very beneficial, but who on earth has that kind of time.
This explains why only about 2% of America’s population are farmers. We have to find an alternative unless everybody in America hits the jackpot which I doubt is likely.
