To Buy or Not to Buy?

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Why are the things most needed sometimes the most expensive? Many people nowadays struggle with what types of food to buy for themselves or for their families. It’s difficult to buy junk foods for a family if one is low on income, therefore living on a small amount of money, can lead to certain food choices. A bigger family might lean towards more of the unhealthy fatty foods because of convenience and due to the amount of members in their family. Although, even though buying junk foods might be easier if one has a big family, there are foods that one can buy for a decent amount. Adam Drewnowski and Petra Eichelsdoerfer argue it is more likely for a low-income family to buy fatty foods, while a high-income family will buy foods that are healthier choices. In “Can Low-Income Americans Afford a Healthy Diet?” it states different points on the types of food groups one can buy depending on their income, as well as trying to balance meals with affordability. I believe this is reliable because they cite their sources from where they got all of their information. I think that low-income Americans can’t always afford the most nutritious meals for their family, but they need to be able to give a little of each food group to their family for meals.

To start, Drewnowski and Eichelsdoerfer argue “many nutritional professionals believe that all Americans, regardless of income, have access to a nutritious diet of whole grains, lean meats, and fresh vegetables and fruit. In reality, food prices pose a significant barrier for many consumers who are trying to balance good nutrition with affordability.” This suggests that many people are able to find these types of food but due to their money situation at times, it’s not always an option for them to buy these foods. Which poses a problem because if people want to buy food that is healthy for their family but need a lot of it, that can add up over time and end up being pretty expensive in the long run. They also comment “higher-income households are more likely to buy whole grains, seafood, lean meats, low-fat milk, and fresh vegetables and fruit. Lower-income households purchase more cereals, pasta, potatoes, legumes, and fatty meats.” To add, this demonstrates that when a family is living on lower income, they are more likely to buy foods that will just do the job. By this I mean, they will buy it because they need food for their family and it needs to fill them up, but without spending a lot of money.

Candy and chips are never the expensive products you see in the store, which is why many people with lower-income by this at times, it’s more convenient and it’s available at different locations. The convenience aspect in my opinion, I think plays a big role, because if parents of a family are at work until late at night, it’s easier to go to the closest grocery store and buy some chicken nuggets or some microwavable meals. These types of products are able to fill up the family and it’s quick and easy. As a result, Drewnowski and Eichelsdoerfer comment “In reality, energy-dense sweets and fats are tasty, cheap, readily available, and convenient. Where kitchen facilities, cooking skills, money or time are limited or absent, they offer satisfying, if nutrient-poor, options.” Furthermore, this supports the idea that a family will buy meals such as a microwavable meal because it minimizes the time spent making dinner and there are meals that do have some nutrition in them. There can be vegetables mixed in with the meal or on the side. All in all, if one has a low-income, it can affect a family or the individual because one wants to try to get the most nutrients, but sometimes due to the amount of money one earns, that will alter their decision on what to buy.

How does the food industry affect one's self-image?