USDA study: Healthy food could actually costs less

A new study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture challenges the popular notion that healthy foods is more expensive than less healthy foods (Source: “Healthy eating can cost less, study finds,” Associated Press via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 16, 2012).

According to the USDA’s study titled “Are Healthy Foods Really More Expensive? It Depends on How You Measure the Price,” (pdf, 50 pages) most studies on the correlation between food quality and cost have measured price per calorie and found that higher-calorie, processed foods are more economical. However, if researchers compare the cost by weight or portion size, grains, vegetables, fruit and dairy foods are typically found to be less expensive.

Higher calorie foods with little nutritional value may cost consumers less, researchers found, because it takes more of that type of food to feel full, compared to nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables with less calories.

"Cheap food that provides few nutrients may actually be 'expensive' for the consumer from a nutritional economy perspective, whereas food with a higher retail price that provides large amounts of nutrients may actually be quite cheap," the study said.