Nutrition Experts Blame Government for Unhealthy Eating Habits

A new study suggests that consumers would have to pay hundreds, or even thousands, more a year just to eat healthier.

August 08, 2011

NEW YORK - A controversial new study suggests that federal dietary polices deserve some of the blame for Americans€™ bad food habits because the cost of healthy foods are inflated, reports CBS News.

Federal dietary guidelines call on Americans to consume more potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D and calcium, as well as to consume fewer calories from saturated fat and added sugar. However, meeting those goals can inflate a consumer€™s annual grocery bill by hundreds and perhaps thousands of dollars each year, according to the study.

Published in Health Affairs, the study was led by University of Washington epidemiologist Dr. Pablo Monsivais, who used a phone survey and questionnaires to examine the economic impact of meeting the federal dietary guidelines among consumers in King County, Washington.

Researchers found that the average consumer had to pay an additional $380 each year just to raise their daily potassium intake from the current average of 2,800 mg to the recommended 3,500 mg. They also found that it's much cheaper to obtain calories from sugary processed and fatty foods than from fruits and veggies.

"People who have less of a budget have less of a choice," Monsivais told CBS News, adding, "There's a real economic factor" that keeps some people from making healthy food choices.

Dr. Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University and an outspoken critic of the fast food industry, agreed with Monsivais.

"It€™s a common misconception that food choices are solely a matter of personal responsibility," he told CBS News, adding, "People are hugely influenced by the price of food. If you don't have any money and go into the store to buy some fresh fruits, you might decide that it's cheaper to have a couple of fast food hamburgers."

Meanwhile, in response to the study, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) shared its own research, "The Cost of the Recommended Daily Servings of Fresh Produce," that shows how fresh fruits and vegetables could be incorporated into a healthy diet without breaking the bank.

"Consumers buy food, not nutrients," said Kathy Means, vice president of government relations and public affairs for PMA. "Even the report noted that 'many foods, notably vegetables and fruits, contain more than one of the recommended nutrients.€™ So when you buy fruits and vegetables, you€™re getting a tasty and nutritious bargain. Our research shows that consumers can get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables affordably.

Means shared a five-point consumer checklist for affordable produce:

  1. Shop the sales! Nearly one-third of produce items are on sale at your store right now.
  2. Use produce as a meal-extender. Salads, soups and stews allow you to create tasty, nutritious meals that cut back on more-expensive items such as meats.
  3. Buy what you need; it€™s not a bargain if you buy it but don€™t get to eat it. Some items, like apples, oranges, and potatoes, are stock-up items that will last for a while at home. Others, like berries or mushrooms, should be eaten within a few days.
  4. Know your serving sizes. A serving of fresh produce is one-half cup (one cup for leafy greens). So a large banana or a grapefruit may be two servings. That means the price you€™re paying is for two, not one.
  5. Share. If you see a bargain for a larger pack at the store or warehouse club, buy it and share with friends or neighbors.
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