Too Poor to Eat Healthy? Research shows consumers choosing cheaper food over more-healthful items

Chain Leader Magazine ^ | September 1, 2009 | Mary Boltz Chapman, Editor-in-Chief

[2ndDivisionVet]

Despite the efforts restaurant chains from fast food to fine dining have made to add more-healthful items to the menu, consumers still aren’t buying. In a poll on chainleader.com, 82 percent of respondents say their better-for-you items are selling “lousy.” Recent research shows that customers cite economic factors as a reason for not purchasing healthful food—or as an excuse.

Too Great a Cost

Chicago-based foodservice consulting firm Technomic says its research shows the recession is hindering consumers’ healthy-eating behavior. Although more than half of consumers say they are more concerned about their eating habits than they were a year ago, 70 percent say that healthful foods are harder to afford; 53 percent say they buy less-healthful items because those items are cheaper; and 44 percent say their budget prevents them from eating healthful foods.

Says Technomic Executive Vice President Bob Goldin: “Consumers are economizing in their food expenditures and believe that one way to do so is to spend less on healthy foods. It’s an unfortunate development.”

Meal Skippers

A July survey by WorkPlace Media, a Cleveland-based firm that helps companies reach consumers at work, also shows that people are changing dining habits—often to less-healthy ones—because of the economy.

More than 30 percent of workers say they are making less money, and 75 percent are cutting their food and beverage consumption. For instance, 9 percent note they are skipping breakfast to save money, and 3 percent are skipping lunch.

Additionally, 34 percent of respondents say that they are choosing cheaper fast food over more-healthful options. At breakfast, 3 percent report they opt for fast food; at lunch, 8 percent do; and at dinner, 7 percent do.

The Least Physically Active Among Us

A person’s health depends on much more than what they eat. The Centers for Disease Control points to physical activity as a vital component.

• Women generally are less active than men at all ages.

• People with lower incomes and less education are not as active as those with higher incomes and education.

• African-Americans and Hispanics are generally less physically active than whites.

• Adults in Northeastern and Southern States tend to be less active than adults in North-Central and Western States.

• By age 75, one in three men and one in two women engages in no regular physical activity.

Source: “Healthy People 2010,” Centers for Disease Control

[2ndDivisionVet]

That Mr. Obama is a genius! He invents hundreds of ways to kill us or make us ill!

[Yossarian]

Buying food and cooking is cheapest yet, with the notable exception of McDonald’s $1 menu. (McChicken Sandwich, I’m talking to you.)

Poorboy me will occasionally go for one of those $1 chicken sandwiches, without the bun and with extra lettuce instead, if I’m in a rush. In moderation, it can’t be too awful for me.

[GeronL]

Please.

Buy a big bag of beans, Ramen Noodles and other cheap food. You’ll eat good and live well.

[CaspersGh0sts]

McDonald’s Southwest grilled chicken salad is the on item that’s put me in a McDonald’s in years. I actually eat there with some regularity now. Before that came on the menu, it had probably been 5-6 years since I’d set foot in a McDonald’s.

[JRandomFreeper]

I paid less than $30 for groceries for the week. I am a culinary school graduate, and did my slave labor internship in some of the top restaurants in Dallas.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to eat healthy and well. But we don't teach home-economics in school these days, so people are stupid about the calories they buy.

/johnny

[Jeff Chandler]

Ascending Degrees of Laziness

1. Women generally are less active than men at all ages.
2. People with lower incomes and less education are not as active as those with higher incomes and education.
3. African-Americans and Hispanics are generally less physically active than whites.
4. Adults in Northeastern and Southern States tend to be less active than adults in North-Central and Western States.
5. By age 75, one in three men and one in two women engages in no regular physical activity.

[GatorGirl]

Ridiculous conclusions!

You’ll get far more carrots than Twinkies for the same money at a grocery store.

Fast food is consumed when someone wants a burger and fries. It’s just as cheap and easy to duck into a farmer’s market or grocery if one is so inclined.

Just propaganda designed to spark a movement to tax or outlaw fast food because apparently the sheeple are too stupid to choose appropriate food for themselves!

[Trust but Verify]

Those are not healthy foods. You will not be hungry, but you will be full of sodium and carbs. Fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats are not cheap. especially if you are feeding a family.

[yarddog]

When I was in grad school I was constantly broke. I discovered that Wendys had a salad bar all you could eat for only 99 cents. I would eat there once a day and there really was a lot to choose from including some meats. that would basically be my only meal for the day.

I guess other people must have figured out the same thing as me as they discontinued it. I know they lost money with me.

[jiggyboy]

Yep. Two McDoubles for is a whole lot of calories for two bucks. I’ve had more than my share over the past year that served me well during busy afternoons of physical labor.

[tiki]

They just don’t call it home ec. My granddaughter has fashion (sewing)and culinary arts.

[JRandomFreeper]

My grocery list for the week was 2 lbs of pinto beans, 1 lb of lard, 2.5 lb pork roast (bone out), canned tomatoes, a jar of jalapenos, a bag of masa harina de maize, one pound of cheese, green chili sauce, salt, pepper, comino molido, dried chilis, coffee, sugar, cinnamon and a bag of bread flour.

That makes a lot of different, very good meals, from homemade bread for sandwiches, to cinnamon rolls for breakfast, to smoked pork roast with beans and corn tortillas.

/johnny

[ansel12]

Ridiculous conclusions! You’ll get far more carrots than Twinkies for the same money at a grocery store. Fast food is consumed when someone wants a burger and fries. It’s just as cheap and easy to duck into a farmer’s market or grocery if one is so inclined.

Tell that to a young male that needs a diet of protein and fat and about 5 or 6 thousand calories of it a day.

[~Peter]

One can look up the nutritional information (calories, fat, etc.) for most fast food chains here:

http://www.calorieking.com/foods/topsearches.php

This site was just given to me by a dietitian at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Thursday of this week ... it's been quite handy so far.

[RochesterFan]

Buy a big bag of beans, Ramen Noodles and other cheap food. You’ll eat good and live well.

The beans are low glycemic index carbs with protein and a good choice. IIRC, the Ramen noodles are high glycemic index. A better choice would be a bag of brown rice. Lower glycemic index. Oatmeal is another healthy, inexpensive choice. Buying boneless chicken breast on sale is another good source of healthy protein. Farmers' markets are a good source of fresh vegetables. This time of year zucchini is plentiful; many gardeners give it away. There are good alternatives; people need to look for them and think outside the box.

[Lib-Lickers 2]

our fresh whole chickens were on sale last week for 69 cents a pound and the whole pork loins for less than 2 bucks a pound

[Rick_Michael]

I always thought women were more health concious than men, but it seems according to this I’m wrong....atleast in terms of being physically active.

[keepitreal]

For instance, 9 percent note they are skipping breakfast to save money, and 3 percent are skipping lunch.

Breakfast is the cheapest meal of the day. A big box of oatmeal is cheap (appx. $4.75) and makes 30 servings (16 cents per serving). Better to fill up on oatmeal at breakfast and skip McDonald's #1 meal, if you want to save money (better yet, take a peanut butter on whole wheat sandwich and a couple of carrots with you to work).

[goodnesswins]

Uh...from the looks of MOST poor...they eat too much!

[japaneseghost]

Fiber One bars at Costco come out to 35 cents each. One could live on 3 of these a day plus coffee. Humongous bag of broccoli is about $4.50.

Now you know how to live on less than $3 a day and keep your intestines happy. And, if you’ve ever seen someone die of colon cancer, you know that’s an important statement.