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Jonica Whitmore
Professor Carolyn Holloway
English 2010
11 July 2016
The Nutritional State of Our Country - Cost of Living Healthy
1. Description
The cost of living healthy is out of reach for many low to middle income families based on the
cost of healthy foods versus the cost of mass produced processed foods. Many will state that if
you truly want to live healthy you will make it happen. While in theory this is true (where there is
a will there is a way), in actuality based on income, family size and actual cost of food, a will
does not always provide a way.

2. Introduction
Low income and even middle income families who want to eat healthy are not always able to
do so based on the cost of food. Mass produced processed food is much cheaper than its
healthier alternative. We will review both sides of this argument, one side stating that if you truly
want to be healthy then saying you cant is just an excuse and the other side saying that they
truly do want to but are faced with issues such as cost of food, buying food for a larger
household with a limited budget and only a few are interested in a healthier lifestyle.
3. Body
The Bureau De Sante Middlesex London sites a study from May of 2015, The monthly cost
of feeding a family of four (a man and woman each aged 31-50 years; a boy 14-18 years of age
and a girl, 4-8 years old) was $860.67. This is a $56.03 or 7% increase from the estimated cost
in May 2014. While this study was not in the United States it is still indicative of what is
happening here as well. This particular statement does not indicate if this is a low income family

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or not, however I know that in my world spending $860 a month in groceries would be a dream.
Low income families do not have enough money to eat healthy. There are many barriers for low
income families in trying to eat healthy and some of them have nothing to do with food. But for
now lets concentrate on the ones that do. Low income families will try more often than not to
buy foods that will be energy dense, are not perishable and that are cheap in order to stretch
their food dollar and prevent waste. How do you make a minimal amount of money, food stamps
or otherwise stretch when the cost of food has increased so much over the last several
decades.
4. Cost of Food
There are many reasons for the increase in the cost of food according to an article in Forbes
Magazine (http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveodland/2012/03/15/why-are-food-prices-so-high/
#18fdca245757) but the bottom line is an increase in demand and a reduction of supply. I found
it interesting that while working on this argument, the picture below showed up on my timeline
on Facebook. I thought how appropriate. (I do not know exactly where it came from so I am
unable to give proper credit.)
5. Insecurities
Families are particularly vulnerable
to what experts call food insecurities.
Food insecurities as defined by
USDA.gov Economic Research
Service is, reports of reduced quality,
variety, or desirability of diet. They
must take the amount of funds they
are provided each month and make
them stretch from disbursement date

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to disbursement date. They can use actual cash to supplement their food stamps but often they
don't have it which is basis for the need for food stamps in the first place. The average amount
of food stamps provided for a family of four in the state of Utah is $649 with a maximum gross
income of $2628 (jobs.utah.gov). This is an average amount of $5.41 per person per day, an
amount that is about $1.50 higher than the national average of $4.00 per day per person
according to the Food Research and Action Center (http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/
why-are-low-income-and-food-insecure-people-vulnerable-to-obesity/)This is much less than the
$890.80 (an increase of $2.00 per person per month) the USDA indicates is within the moderate
cost plan for a family of the same size as of 2014. When you must make money stretch in order
to provide meals to keep your family going, sometimes health is the last thing on your mind.
This has become a problem in this country.

6. Flipping Sides
The other side of this argument would be those stating regardless of where your money
comes from, if your health is important you will do whatever you need to in order to make your
family healthy.and they are correct to a degree. Many are limited by their socioeconomic
situation and are unable to increase their income in order to be able to make the healthier food
choices for their families. For those who are unable to do so, here are some ideas to make little
changes that wont cost anything and will make happy those who believe in the other side of this
argument and firmly believe in where there is a will there is a way
Plan your meals
Stick to your grocery list
Cook at home
Dont shop when you are hungry
Stock up on sales

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Buy frozen fruits and vegetables
Grown your own produce
Use coupons
7. Not Enough Time
Now stepping away from the low income
argument, lets talk about our busy lives. In a
country where a deluxe bacon cheeseburger costs
$.99 and a salad costs $5.99, explain to me how
we are supposed to make our money stretch with
that choice. Picture this scenario. I have $10 cash, I am out running errands with my kids and
we need to have something for lunch. I did not expect my errands to run this long so I did not
pack a snack for every one. How do I make $10 stretch to feed everyone. On one hand health
conscious people would say go to the grocery store and hit the produce section, buy $10 in
fruits and vegetables. This would be a great choice, but because of our crazy hectic schedules,
taking the time to do that is often not an option. My choice is to pick the healthiest food a drive
through place has to offer.

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8. Conclusion
Trying to eat healthy on a budget can present challenges. People who have plenty of money
can just make simple changes to their grocery list and begin eating healthy whenever they
choose to. Others, however are not as fortunate. The act of eating healthy is not as easy as
some would make it seem. No, this is not an excuse to not trying make the necessary changes
in order to lead a healthy life style. This is plan and simple the truth of living in this day and age
when the cost of healthy food is more expensive than processed food, where we have packed
so much into our daily lives that we can not take the time to be able to make the right choices.
When you can buy a hamburger for $.99 (or a combo meal for $3.99) and a salad is $5.99,
there is a problem.

Works Cited

http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/why-are-low-income-and-food-insecure-peoplevulnerable-to-obesity/

https://www.healthunit.com/cost-of-healthy-eating#

http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-offood-security.aspx

http://jobs.utah.gov/customereducation/apply/incomecharts.html

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http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveodland/2012/03/15/why-are-food-prices-so-high/
#18fdca245757

ushealthykids.org photo of caloric intake vs $3.00

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/254383078923956907/