Unhealthy food is often cheaper than healthier alternatives, leading to higher rates of obesity and other health problems in many parts of the world. In this article, we will explore why this is the case and what can be done to make healthier food more accessible.
Cost of Production
One of the primary reasons why unhealthy food is cheaper is because of the cost of production. Processed foods require less time and labour to produce, making them much cheaper than fresh food. Additionally, unhealthy food usually contains more preservatives, which also helps to keep production costs down.
Subsidies
Another reason why unhealthy food is so cheap is because of government subsidies. Governments often give large subsidies to the producers of unhealthy food, such as corn, wheat, and soy, making them much cheaper than their healthier alternatives. This makes it difficult for producers of healthy food to compete, leading to higher prices for consumers.
Marketing
Unhealthy food is also often heavily marketed, making it more attractive to consumers. Large companies with huge advertising budgets are able to target consumers, making their products more appealing. This is especially true for unhealthy snacks and fast food, which are often heavily advertised.
Solutions
There are a number of solutions that could help to make healthy food more accessible and affordable. Governments could reduce or eliminate subsidies for producers of unhealthy food, while increasing subsidies for producers of healthy food. In addition, governments could also introduce taxes on unhealthy food, making it more expensive for consumers. Finally, governments could also work with food producers to create more nutritious products that are still affordable.