Economics of Obesity

We read a lot about how eating well costs more money; how fresh foods like produce and poultry are more expensive than packaged, processed foods. Take for example a recent quote in the Houston Chronicle article, "Eating healthy harder for poor":

"Energy-dense foods rich in starch, sugar or fat are the cheapest option for the consumer," said Adam Drewnowski, director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington. "As long as the healthier lean meats, fish and fresh produce are more expensive, obesity will continue to be a problem for the working poor."

The article also added that, "Many parents, sometimes working two jobs, don't have the time to cook healthy meals. And fresh food is more costly."

So, the conventional wisdom asserts that two issues are undermining the working poor's ability to eat well:

• Time crunch
• Fresh food is more expensive

I've been wondering how true these notions really are. Is it really more expensive to eat healthful food or not?

So, over the next week I'm taking your emails at controlledcarb@aol.com to get your insights and ideas, while I work on investigating (non-scientific to be clear) on whether it is possible to eat better, healthier foods for the same or less budget, and what it takes to do that. In a blog entry next week, I'll write about if it can be done and share with you how to do it if it is indeed possible!

In the meantime, send me your emails with your ideas and tips on eating well on a budget and I'll share the best ones in the blog entry too!