Cost Realities of Healthy Foods

Most Americans consume diets that do not meet Federal dietary recommendations. This perception may be influenced by studies that found healthy foods to cost more per calorie than less healthy foods. This is one way, but not the only way, to measure the cost of a healthy diet. For a balanced assessment, this book compares the price of healthy and less healthy foods using three metrics: the price per calorie, per edible gram, and per average portion. These studies conclude that the higher prices of healthy foods present barriers to consumer ability to buy recommended amounts of foods like fruits and vegetables.