The Hidden Impact of Affordable Food Choices on Health and Environment
- becomemybestme
- Nov 17
- 2 min read
Fast food may appear to be an inexpensive option for lunch or dinner compared to a homemade meal. Similarly, a discounted bag of chips at the grocery store might seem like a bargain for a family snack when compared to whole grain chips and fresh salsa. However, reconsider this. The real cost of fast food and cheap junk food extends beyond the amount on the receipt.
The United States spent 1.9 trillion dollars on healthcare in 2022. It is estimated that 86% of this spending goes towards treating chronic conditions. The most costly conditions to manage include heart disease, diabetes (and other metabolic diseases), cancer, pulmonary (lung) conditions, and mental disorders. Many of these conditions can be entirely prevented and managed through lifestyle changes. As healthcare costs increase, these expenses are transferred to us, resulting in higher insurance premiums, increased costs for physical appointments, higher copays, and elevated prescription prices.
Additionally, numerous studies indicate that the indirect costs of poor health, such as work loss, employee replacement, and reduced productivity due to illness and disease, amount to $147 billion.
The food industry is in business to make money. They use techniques similar to those used by the tobacco industry to try to confuse the public consumers and mislead us into consuming their unhealthy options. Commercials making fast food look nutritious and healthy. Only showing fit people eating their foods. Junk food companies have many tactics to make their food appear healthy, making food labels confusing to read, adding statements on the front of packages to make their product look as healthy as possible when in reality it is poisoning us and making us sick!
This does not take into account how you feel, this is just the bottom line in dollars. Eating poor quality cheap low nutrition food affects your quality of life physically and mentally. and longevity as well.
Do yourself and your family a favor and INVEST IN YOURSELF.
Learn how to read food labels.
Buy healthier snacks.
Choose organic.
Choose whole foods.
Make more meals at home
Most importantly, make these changes a habit.
Follow me for more ways on how to make these changes.
You will find that spending a little more now on quality food saves you a fortune in the future!
Making healthier, ethical food choices can become the norm.
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