Off-Set the High Cost of Healthier Food by Reducing Portion Size

How are we supposed to afford more expensive healthy food options?  By portion control, of course.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but healthier food choices tend to cost more than their calorie-packed and sugar-filled alternatives. In fact, opting for healthier food for your family can tack on almost 10 percent more to the typical American grocery budget. There are millions of Americans who would be happy buying healthier food. The problem is that they typically can't afford it.

Indeed, there is a direct correlation between earning low income and being overweight and unhealthy in the United States. This is cemented by the fact that those who earn more money tend to eat healthier. While it may be only a matter of slight adjustments for those with comfortable levels of income to make the switch to healthier food choices, such an option is simply off the table for the overwhelming majority of Americans.

That is, if portions are not put into play.

Part of the reason why Americans are more likely to be overweight or obese is that they're much more likely to value quantity over quality. If three boxes of instant mac'n'cheese will feed the whole family for dinner for less than $3.00, then that's a weekly staple despite the fact everyone will be getting a 850 calorie meal at dinner time without much nutritional value. Calories are typically ignored in low-income diets. Instead, feeling full for the lowest price possible is the objective.

But what if  households made it a point to focus on calories, and divvy out dinner accordingly? Instead of dumping hundreds of calories of cheese and carbs onto a child's plate, calculate that a person of such size and weight only needs X amount of calories per-meal, and provide that necessary level of nourishment. It won't be the amount of food the child is used to, or the sort of food they prefer, but neither of those alternatives benefit their health.

Is it easy transitioning to a healthier diet on a budget with picky kids underfoot? Absolutely not. Both parent and child will miss the pleasures of more filling and satisfying foods. Parents will have to work hard to find inexpensive meals their children will eat, while maintaining the discipline to limit their own caloric intake themselves.

But if you cut back on portions while increasing your selection of wiser food options, you're sure to help boost your family's health and afford it at the same time.

Written by Jennifer Smith