Healthonomics—Hard to eat Healthy in U.S.?

As I sat down to eat my double cheeseburger with a side of chicken tenders, I wondered what made me purchase a meal I would have almost never bought before college. Sure, the meal was delicious, but after I consumed the pile of meat I knew I had to look into this matter.

Having blown my meal points in college last semester (I practically had to live off granola bars that I had in my room), I pondered the costs and benefits of every purchase on my meal plan. But why was a double cheeseburger and chicken tenders my cheapest choice? Why does it seem like eating healthy in America is so difficult?

(1) Image from http://www.mapledonuts.com/

As you may know if you are familiar with macroeconomics, the government plays a large part in daily processes that we may not even notice. The New York Times (1) explains how the "government subsidizes important farm foods and crops, such as corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, sorghum, milk and meat"—some of which are found grain-based desserts like cookies and granola bars, which make up a large portion of America's calorie intake.

Economics Online (2) defines a subsidy as "an amount of money given directly to firms by the government to encourage production and consumption." Subsidies provide both the producer and consumer with added benefits. The producer gets more money and the consumer gets cheaper goods. By this definition we can see how the government can have a direct effect on our eating habits as a country. While cheap and abundant food can be a blessing, our over consumption of unhealthy foods is not.

(2) Image from http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Competitive_markets/Subsidies.html

According to the The Journal of Nutrition (3), the comparative low cost of cheap foods has turned obesity into a socioeconomic issue. This is a problem that I personally could experience on a small scale with my meal points. I would much prefer to eat a healthy meal, but when the cost of a healthy option is 50-100% more money, I have economic incentive to choose the cheaper option.

What are your thoughts? Should the government change its policies? Or are we to blame? I want to hear your thoughts!

Works Cited:

1. https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/07/19/how-the-government-supports-your-junk-food-habit/?_r=1
2. http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Competitive_markets/Subsidies.html
3. http://jn.nutrition.org/content/135/4/900.full

Images taken from:

1. http://www.mapledonuts.com/
2. http://www.economicsonline.co.uk/Competitive_markets/Subsidies.html