Weight Management Information and Ideas

The price breakdown

The first assumption when examining the issue ‘why the poor eat poorly’ is that unhealthy foods are cheaper than more healthful foods. This is undoubtedly the case for many items. For example:

Regular pasta: $.89/16oz
Whole-wheat pasta: $1.09/16oz

Sunny delight juice: $1.49/64oz
Fortified OJ: $2.50-$2.89/64oz

Bologna: $2.99/12oz
Turkey breast: $3.5-$4.00/12oz

White bread: $2.29/loaf
Whole wheat bread: $2.79/loaf

Bulk candy: $0.09/oz
Dried fruit: $0.33/oz

Hot dogs: $1.33/lb
Chicken breast: $4.69/lb

Vegetable oil: $0.06/oz
Olive oil: $0.24/oz

Kool-Aid: $0.13/quart
Real fruit juice: $1.00/quart

Soda: $0.50/L
Milk: $0.53/L

Cheese slices: $0.26/slice
Block of cheese: $0.31/oz

However, when comparing other items, the opposite is true. Ounce per ounce, the healthier foods are often less expensive than the unhealthy ones. In these cases, it is apparent that consumers are paying for the convenience an item has to offer. The unhealthy choices are usually individually packaged or ready-to-serve, while the healthier less expensive items require additional prep work. For example:

Oatmeal cream pies: $0.88/pie
Applesauce: $0.86/3oz serving

Fritos: $0.23/oz
Cottage cheese: $0.12/oz
Yogurt: $0.10/oz

Potato chips: $0.25/oz
Potatoes: $0.06/oz

Canned green beans: $0.06/oz
Fresh green beans: $0.06/oz
Fruit cocktail w/syrup: $0.09/oz
Bananas: $0.03/oz
Apples: $0.08/oz

Apple Jacks cereal: $0.25/oz
Quaker Oats: $0.13/oz

Pork bacon: $0.25/oz
Turkey bacon: $0.21/oz

Chocolate candy bar: $0.35/oz
Baby Carrots: $0.11/oz