The price elasticity of demand for food negatively impacts health

If you plan to adopt the USDA’s MyPlate food guide, it will cost the average U.S. consumer another $380 a year to eat healthy, according to Pablo Monsivais and team who researched the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and published their findings in Health Affairs this week.

The Dietary Guidelines are based on evidence that shows a nutrient-dense diet bolsters personal health. While such a diet may lower cholesterol and obesity risk, Monsivais et al. found that the diet can raise food costs.

Dr. Marion Nestle has said,  “People are hugely influenced by the price of food. If you don’t have any money and go into the store to buy some fresh fruits, you might decide that it’s cheaper to have a couple of fast food hamburgers.”