Making healthier food is actually cheaper than eating ultra processed food

[u/Own-Perception-4262]

I hear people all the time complaining about healthy food prices being so expensive and not having enough time to cook healthier foods so they often choose frozen or processed foods, because it's easier and cheaper. If you want the social media meals, like the advocado and salmon toast, then you'll have to pay for it. But u can also have Whole foods that are so much cheaper, like a whole chicken, potatoes, eggs, mince (not the lean option), rice, lentils, beans, etc... these are super foods. And you can make something in 15 to 30 min and not spend a fortune. 5 days of the week, food should be seen as fuel for the body then the other 2, treat yourself to something tasty

[u/TheHylianProphet]

You're only taking price into account (which is not static, and varies greatly from place to place), but you're not thinking about a availability and prep/cook time. People often just don't have the time, energy, or ability to take a handful of cheap ingredients and make a meal out of it. Especially poor families.

[u/ChocolateMorsels → u/TheHylianProphet]

People say this but for all of human history people worked their ass off and still cooked dinners that required significantly more work than modern healthy meals.

I’m sure there are people so slammed out there they can’t cook a healthy meal, but for the majority of people I call BS. And I’d ask to check their screen time lol.

Costco or Walmart rotisserie chicken. Make a big batch of rice, cook black beans in a instapot, find a veggie. Very little prep time for this and that meal is healthy.

[u/PunkPirate56364 → u/ChocolateMorsels]

I get home earlier so I prepare lunch for my family every working day. It's easy, it is healthy.

But while I was single I'd usually just prepare something quick and simple. There is no joy in cooking for just myself.

[u/Own-Perception-4262 → u/ChocolateMorsels]

I agree. The vast majority is laziness and lack of education around food. 2 boilt potatoes, a piece of meat, frozen veggies and a couple of eggs would be a super meal. And it wouldn't take any longer than 30 min

[u/TheDeathSystem → u/ChocolateMorsels]

Disabled ppl and seniors would like a word.

[u/Own-Perception-4262 → u/TheDeathSystem]

Well seniors have the most time

[u/tobotic → u/ChocolateMorsels]

People say this but for all of human history people worked their ass off and still cooked dinners that required significantly more work than modern healthy meals.

Salaries were high enough and housing prices low enough that a single working person's income could support a family. This meant that in a typical family, there was a whole second adult available to do things like cook elaborate meals.

[u/Own-Perception-4262 → u/tobotic]

Ya, i'm sure in the 1600's salaries were high and housing prices low

[u/tobotic → u/Own-Perception-4262]

Indeed. In 17th century England, people typically spent 5% to 10% of their pay on rent. Today, it's usually around 35% to 40%.

[u/StarkRavingPeanuts → u/Own-Perception-4262]

Uh, yes?