What we eat directly influences our health. “Unhealthy” eating patterns are related to the increase in many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, that are extremely prevalent in our lives today. Often times people will purchase cheaper food in order to save money. Because of the diseases that are associated with eating these cheaper and unhealthy foods, the question has become whether or not we are really saving much because of the amount of money we spend on health care and treatment of these diseases.
An article in TIME Magazine states that, “On average food insecure people living in the U.S. incur an extra $1800 in medical costs every year, accounting for $77.5 billion in additional health care expenditures.” Many people do not see the immediate benefits of buying more quality ingredients, which are possibly a little more pricey, so they opt for the cheaper option. Buying foods that are fresher, unpackaged, contain less preservatives, and sourced from local farms may be more expensive, but may actually save money. This is because the consumer will not have to pay for medications and doctor's appointments resulting from chronic disease that could potentially cost much more than the cost of the more nutrient dense food.
To read the full article, go to: time.com/4962475/nutrition-snap-health-care.
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