As the cost of food is set to increase by more than 10 percent in 2022, many Americans are saying that prices are a big reason they are unable to eat healthily.
According to a survey released on Wednesday By the Cleveland Clinic, 46% of those asked say food prices are the biggest barrier to healthy eating. Ranking as the No. 2 reason, 23% said they don’t have time to cook healthy meals. One in five respondents say they don’t know how to cook healthy food.
“A heart-healthy diet is the cornerstone of how we reduce our risk of heart disease,” said Dr. Leslie Cho, cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “It’s really sad that in our economic times people feel that eating heart healthy is more expensive.”
Although the price of fruits and vegetables jumped in 2022, all other types of food also increased significantly. Cakes and cookies are expected to increase by 17.1% in 2022, while sweets are expected to increase by about 12 percent. Fresh fruits and vegetables rose 6.4%, according to the government’s consumer price index.
Experts say that including fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet does not have to be expensive.
“As long as we eat the rainbow colors in our fruits and vegetables, it’s good for you and your heart health,” Cho said.
The survey also found that 71% of those surveyed believe that moderate exercise has a greater effect on weight than diet. Research shows that both exercise and eating a healthy diet are important factors in health.
โThe best exercise that has been proven time and time again to make people live longer is walking. Walking is really an important part of our health, not only our heart health but our mental health as well,โ he said.
