As shown in this short video, in the U.S. we spend over 15 percent on healthcare—the most of any country, yet we spend the least on food. Most wealthy countries, like the U.S.–and followed by the U.K., Denmark, and Hong Kong–use a small percentage of their household expenditures on food. Those countries that spend the most on food compared to other items are countries where consumers have less disposable income and most of their money goes to the bare necessities. Food shortages and higher relative food prices also account for a greater percentage of money spent on eating.
We may think that we’re spending a lot of money on food (as the video points out, in 2009 it was estimated we spent on average 10 percent), yet compared to the rest of the world, we spend very little. In Jordan, for instance, in 2007 they spent 40.9 percent of their money on food; in Indonesia it was 45.7 percent, and in Azerbaijan, they used the greatest proportion of money on food—50.4 percent. Remember also that in the U.S. we spent 22 percent on food back in 1949.
It is no accident that our health care costs are the highest in the world. That cheaper food does come with a big price tag that goes far beyond what we pay directly. In addition to major health issues, such as obesity and diabetes, our “advancements” in food production come with environmental costs as well. Pollution, food that’s cheap but nutrient-deficient, antibiotic resistant microbes, and the myriad of problems that arise because of another price-dropping practice—government subsidies to commercial farmers–all raise the bar on the actual costs to consumers.
It is possible to feed ourselves well without breaking the bank. It’s also possible to eat in more “green” ways. Next week, I’ll describe ways to do both.
In the meantime, during the week ahead, take tips from the video:
*Avoid processed foods.
*Buy the most nutritious foods available to you.
*Cook from scratch.
To your health!
