Lower Income People Can Stretch Their Food Dollars By Simply Eating Healthier Foods

A 34-week U.S. study finds that nutritious foods that roughly follow the Mediterranean diet are not only healthier for lower income families, they are significantly more economical. Sixty-three people from emergency food pantries and low-income housing sites attended six weeks of cooking classes, where instructors prepared quick and easy plant-based recipes based on olive oil, whole grain pasta, brown rice and fruits and vegetables. Changing the focus to fruits, vegetables, and healthy starches, and eliminating expensive items –  meats, snacks, desserts and carbonated drinks – was far more cost-effective for families on limited budgets. Participants not only cut their food spending by more than half, about half lost weight.