“Eating Healthy Is Too Expensive”: Let’s Talk About That
We’ve all heard it. Heck, maybe we’ve even said it:
“I want to eat better… but healthy food costs too much.”
It feels true when you’re broke, burned out, and staring at a fast food menu that promises dinner with no dishes. But the truth? That myth is one of the most damaging lies we’ve been sold.
And it’s time to break it down—with real numbers, real food, and a whole lot of common sense.
🍔 Fast Food Ain’t Cheap Anymore
Let’s just start with this: there is no such thing as a dollar menu. Not really. A basic cheeseburger runs you nearly $3 now, and a “value meal” easily hits $10–$14.
Here’s what $40 at McDonald’s might get you:
Big Mac Meal- 2 $26.00 Includes fries + drink
6-Piece Nuggets- 1 $4.50 Snack item
McChicken- 1 $3.50 Small sandwich
Apple Pie- 2 $3.00 Dessert
Total—$37.00
Feeds 2–3 people max
Gone in one meal. No leftovers. Still hungry an hour later.
🛒 But Here’s What Around $40 Can Buy at Aldi:
Dozen Eggs- 1 $3.00
Old-Fashioned Oats- 1 $3.00
Bananas (2 lbs)- 1 $1.50
Brown Rice (2 lbs)- 1 $2.00
Frozen Mixed Veggies- 2 bags $2.50
Chicken Thighs (4 lbs)- 1 pack $9.00
Peanut Butter (16 oz)- 1 $2.00
Whole Wheat Bread- 1 loaf $1.75
Potatoes (5 lbs)- 1 bag $3.50
Block Cheese (8 oz)- 1 $2.50
Canned Beans- 3 cans $2.55
Canned Tomatoes- 2 cans $1.50
Apples (3 lbs)- 1 bag $3.50
Milk (1 gallon)- 1 $3.50
Total—$41.80
That’s a week of real food. Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks. Full bellies, real nutrients, and even enough to share.
⚠️ The Hidden Costs of “Cheap” Food
Fast food feels like a shortcut—until you add up what it really steals from you:
Your health (increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and inflammation)
Your energy (blood sugar crashes, brain fog, fatigue)
Your time (yes, you still wait in line—and now your body has to work harder to process junk)
Your money in the long run (medical bills, lost productivity, impulse spending)
You’re not getting a deal—you’re paying a price that’s delayed but deadly.
🥖 Take a Little Time, Reclaim a Lot
Let’s talk truth: making food from scratch takes a little more time—but a lot less garbage. Ever looked at the ingredient list on a store-bought loaf of bread?
Enriched bleached flour, high fructose corn syrup, monoglycerides, DATEM, calcium propionate, soy lecithin, and preservatives you can't pronounce...
Compare that to what homemade bread needs:
Flour. Water. Yeast. Salt. Maybe a touch of oil or honey.
That’s it.
And here's the kicker—it tastes better. It fills your home with the smell of comfort and reminds you that you still have control over what goes into your body and your family’s bellies.
I smell a little booklet in the making, don’t you? Something like “Real Food for Real Life: Meals That Don’t Lie to You.” Stay tuned for that. I’ll be working on this booklet soon. Recipes, meal plans, shopping lists… everything you need to get started.
🧠 It’s Not About Money. It’s About Mindset.
No judgment if fast food is your current lifeline. But don’t let the world lie to you and say healthy eating is out of reach. Because the truth?
Healthy eating isn’t more expensive. Convenience food is just overpriced emptiness.
💪 Ready to Start?
If you want help building simple, cheap meal plans—using what you already have—I’ve got you. If you’re ready to learn some from-scratch basics that don’t take all day, I’ll walk with you. And if you just need encouragement that you’re not failing by not eating like a TikTok nutritionist, you’ve got a seat at my table.
Let’s get real, stay kind, and feed our families well—without going broke.