Healthier Food Choices Are Sometimes Not An Option

The downturn of the economy and the price increase of healthier foods in recent years make the fight against obesity for individuals  harder. According to a study by researchers at the University of Washington, “unhealthy, high-calorie foods cost an average of $1.76 per 1,000 calories, while low-calorie, nutritious foods cost $18.16 per 1,000 calories (Vinter 2008, p. 35).” According to this statistic, healthier food choices are roughly ten times more expensive than those  considered unhealthy for the same amount of calories. For families that are struggling and  barely able to put food on the table, the healthier low-calorie food item is simply not logical.

With the economy struggling, the amount of people who use federal food and nutrition programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will only grow. Many agencies are not able to provide enough assistance that families need. In order to do so, some agencies need to contact legislature to allow such aid which is not a guaranteed outcome. “Unlike the food stamps program, WIC is not an entitlement and Congress would have to approve an increase in appropriations to avoid denying aid to low-income mothers and children (Vinter 2008, p.35).” Kathleen DiChiara, president and CEO of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey stated, “Now food stamps go fewer and fewer days of the month,” and continued, “For some, that means adding an extra cup of water to their soup, watering down their milk, or giving their children soda because it’s cheaper than milk (Associated Press 2008).” In that quote we see an example of a direct correlation to unhealthy choices due to limited resources and the inflation of food prices. Soda has become cheaper than milk and without hesitation some families resort to the cheaper item regardless of its nutrition value.

Children do not have the option of choosing healthier food items in our school systems due to our School Lunch Programs. According to Kenneth Hecht, executive director of California Food Policy Advocates, “The cost of staple foods including, milk, grains, produce and meat have risen over 23 percent. The Miami-Dade County Public School System saw the price of milk rise an additional $4.5million in the 2007-2008 school year alone (Vinter 2008, p.35).” “Rising food prices have come at a time when schools are also being asked to prepare healthier, lower-fat meals to help stem the tide of childhood obesity. In many cases, schools are being forced to cut back on more expensive foods such as whole-grain breads and fresh fruits and vegetables (Vinter 2008, p.35).” Some of these children are receiving a double-whammy. They are not receiving the proper nutritional foods at home and are being deprived of healthier items in their schools. We need to find a way to be able to make healthier items more affordable or make sure we provide enough assistance to families that need it. If these children are not receiving the proper healthy nutrition they need at home, we cannot allow  them to receive the same unhealthy meals in our schools. If we do, we will only make the uphill battle against obesity harder.

Associated Press. 4/15/2008. U.S. seeing worst food inflation in 17 years. MSNBC. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24127314/>. 11/3/2010.

Vinter, Serena. 2008. The High Price of Food. F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing In America. <http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2008/Obesity2008Report.pdf>. 11/3/2010