The Real Cost Benefit to Eating Healthy

One of the biggest complaints of people, when faced with making the change from an unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy one, is the cost of food. There have been many studies that prove that yes, financially, at the supermarket, eating healthy can cost you more at the cash register. However, the costs and savings are not all at the register.

The generally accepted range is anywhere from one to two dollars per day that a healthy diet will cost over an unhealthy diet when you only look at the grocery store sales alone. Healthy diets are those that are rich in veggies and fruits, as well as healthy proteins like fish and chicken.

Obviously there are many things that go into a healthy diet that drive up the price. Transportation, refrigeration, preservation, and ingredients all play a role in higher costs of food. Prepackaged, processed foods are designed to have a long shelf life and are not in a rush for delivery. That is not true for fresher foods and meats, so there is an added cost associated with that.

That part is often realized by many people, but what is not always realized or easy to calculate is the costs that are saved from chronic, long term illness associated with poor health. The long term effects of obesity manifest themselves in things like heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and a host of other illnesses that lead to medical costs, prescriptions, and rehabilitation.

While the food costs at the store may be more at the register, they are going to save you a lot in the long run financially, but also medically and for your overall wellbeing.

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