Why Does It Cost More to Eat Healthy?

Once again, with the changing of the seasons, I am remembering the big vegetable garden of my childhood.  What I wouldn’t give today to have that same opportunity for fresh vegetables.  I do try to eat locally and mostly support a more holistic approach to my shopping and cooking.  It is unfortunately true, though, that it costs more to eat healthy.

I have been so excited to see the recent opening of more health conscious food markets in our area.  I hope it makes everyone up their game in providing alternative choices to highly processed foods so full of additives that should never have been intended to reach our bellies. I love walking into the produce section and seeing rows of fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables.  It is a great comfort to shop with the assurance of quality, in spite of the impact on my pocketbook.

I notice that as the dollars in my pocket become fewer, my choices at the grocery store lean more towards carbohydrates.  I wonder if it is more a result of the economics of the situation or a response to the stress of a financial crunch.  For me, pasta and potatoes are not only inexpensive, but very comforting as well.  For less than $15, I can make my French Oven full of one of my family’s favorites giving us enough for a hearty meal and lunches the next day.  We call it “Italian Potato Soup”.

I start this soup the same way I do most, with a sauté of chopped onions, garlic, salt, black pepper and a modest amount of red pepper flakes.  As the onions soften, I add about a pound of mild or sweet Italian sausage.  I like to get the kind that is made in-store, but you can also use the links, just remove the casings from around the meat.  The sausage has a lot of seasoning in it, so this does a lot to flavor the soup.

While the sausage is browning I get the potatoes ready.  Using a combination of Idaho potatoes and either Red or Yukon Golds gives this soup a great texture.  I peel the Idahos and leave the skin on the others.  The Red potatoes and Yukon Golds are both a waxy potato and will tend to hold their shape during the cooking process while the Idahos will break down and help the soup to a nice rich, thick texture.  I cut the potatoes into 1 to 2 inch pieces.

The sausage is so fragrant, that it will be no secret what’s for dinner tonight!  When the meat is nice and brown, I deglaze the pan with white wine, chicken broth or plain water.  Remember those crusty brown bits in the bottom of the pot are little power pockets full of flavor.

With the deglazing complete, I add the processed potatoes to the pot with enough liquid to barely cover them.  After bringing the soup to a boil, I turn it down to a fast simmer and let it go until the potatoes are almost soft.  While the potatoes are cooking, I remove the stems from a bunch of kale and slice it into about ½ inch strips.  I add the kale to the pot and by the time the potatoes are finished cooking the kale will be nicely wilted and tender.  To finish the soup, I add some cream.  You can substitute half and half or milk.  I grate in some fresh nutmeg and check the seasoning to make sure there is enough salt and pepper.  Bring it back up to heat and you have meal pleasing both to the palate and the pocketbook.  With the addition of the kale, there is an extra boost of iron as well.  This is one of my step-daughter’s favorites and I love making it for her.

Why does it cost so much more to eat healthy?  It is difficult for me to understand how a product with less additives and less processing costs more than a more natural product.  I think I know at least part of the answer.  It is because the processing and additives add to the shelf life of the end product and at the agricultural level the chemical additives create a higher yield product. 

What about economically challenged families living in the inner city?  What is their access to healthy food?    It is less expensive to go to the corner fast food restaurant or convenience store than to the local grocery store.  I mean, if I’m in this situation and I have 3 kids and $10 in my pocket with no transportation, what are my choices?  The fast food place is down the block and I can easily feed myself and the kids for $10.  The grocery store is a few miles away so how do I get there?  What can I buy for the four of us with $10?  And then, I have to make my way home with the groceries in tow before I even begin cooking.  Yes, I would probably choose fast food, too. 

I am on a quest to learn more about this subject, so expect to hear more.  I welcome your comments.