Eating Healthy vs Fast Food

The statistics are alarming. Over 60 percent of American adults, as well as 27 percent of young Canadians aged between 2 and 17, meet the criteria for being overweight or obese. It's no mystery that one of the major factors behind these numbers is the ever-increasing presence of fast-food diets among North American families. On-the-go parents feel they can save precious time at the drive-through while lower-income families believe that super-sized trios and deep-dish pizzas are saving them money. While the former might be true, the latter is an illusion.

A $20.99 bucket of chicken to feed four people may seem like a bargain at first glance, but when you consider the fact that junk food may be highly addictive and perpetuate a vicious cycle of unhealthy eating habits, $20 suddenly turns into $150 billion worth of health-care bills, the amount Americans pay each year as a result of obesity-related diseases. The truth is, not only is eating healthy cheaper in the long run, but it's often cheaper than fast food on a meal-to-meal basis.

The following is a breakdown of what a fast food breakfast, lunch and dinner typically costs. We will then show you the actual cost for these meals, if the ingredients were bought fresh and prepared at home. Finally, we’ll offer you healthy alternatives to these meals, food that both your body and your bank account will thank you for.   

Breakfast

The first mistake many people make is to skip breakfast completely. This causes people to overeat later in the day and sustain this cycle of eating.

A Typical Fast Food Breakfast: