Spending more on food is associated with a healthier diet, weight (From Sciencedaily.com) [3 Articles]
~ Monday, February 6, 2023 Blog Post ~
How do changes in the cost of diet affect its quality and specifically people’s weight and health?
Date: January 27, 2016
Source: IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)
Summary: According to an epidemiological study, increasing the money you spend on food is linked to a better quality diet, particularly increased consumption of fruit and vegetables, leading to a healthier weight and decreased risk of cardiometabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.
FULL STORY
According to an epidemiological study carried out by researchers at the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), increasing the money you spend on food is linked to a better quality diet, particularly increased consumption of fruit and vegetables, leading to a healthier weight and decreased risk of cardiometabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.
The researchers monitored a group of 2181 Spanish men and women aged 25 to 74, all part of the REGICOR (Registre Gironí del Cor) programme, for a period of ten years. They measured their height and weight, and recorded dietary data obtained from a scientifically validated food frequency questionnaire. The average food cost was calculated using official government data.
According to Helmut Schröder, a researcher in the IMIM’s cardiovascular risk and nutrition research group, “We have seen that a 1.4€ increase in average spending on food is associated with the consumption of 74 grams more vegetables and 52 grams more fruit, per person per day, for a 1000 kcal diet. Conversely, a reduction of 0.06€ in average spending is linked to a decrease of 121 grams of vegetables and 94 grams of fruit, as well as increased consumption of foodstuffs like fast food and baked goods.” “This implies weight gain that could be related to a higher risk of cardiometabolic complications in the future” adds the researcher.
A healthy diet is essential for good physical and mental health and its quality depends on a person’s choice of food, something that is conditioned to a great extent by price, culture, taste and convenience. Between 2000 and 2010, the price of healthy food rose sharply in Spain when compared to less healthy options. The cost of healthier foods, meaning those low in calories and rich in nutrients, like fruit, increased by 50%, while pastries and processed products only went up 10% and 23.1%, respectively.
This work is important for raising the awareness of public health officials, as it underlines the need for policies and action that promote healthy diets accessible to all income levels. It should have implications for food prices, agriculture, and fiscal policies, as well as the implementation of consumer aid programmes.
Story Source:
Materials provided by IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Helmut Schröder, Luis Serra-Majem, Isaac Subirana, Maria Izquierdo-Pulido, Montserrat Fitó, Roberto Elosua. Association of increased monetary cost of dietary intake, diet quality and weight management in Spanish adults. British Journal of Nutrition, 2016; 1 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114515005048
IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute). (2016, January 27). Spending more on food is associated with a healthier diet, weight: How do changes in the cost of diet affect its quality and specifically people’s weight and health?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 5, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160127115626.htm
Source:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160127115626.htm
Article #2: Saving money Vs Spending money on food, good or bad?
There are many different philosophies out there when it comes to spending money on food. Some people believe that it is always better to save money by eating at home or bringing their own lunch to work, while others believe that spending a little extra on quality food is worth it in the long run. So, which is the right approach?
There is no easy answer, as it depends on each person’s situation and preferences. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you make the decision that is right for you. Here are a few things to consider:
1. How much money do you have available to spend on food?
If you have a limited budget, then it is probably best to focus on saving money by cooking at home or bringing your own lunch to work. On the other hand, if you have a little extra money to spend, then you may want to consider spending it on quality food.
2. How important is food to you?
Some people see food as simply a means of sustenance, while others view it as an important part of their lifestyle. If food is important to you, then you may be willing to spend more on it.
3. What is your preferred diet?
If you are trying to eat healthy, then spending a little extra on quality food may be worth it in the long run. However, if you are not too concerned about eating healthy, then saving money by eating at home or bringing your own lunch to work may be the better option.
4. What is your lifestyle like?
Do you have a lot of free time to cook meals at home? Or do you prefer to eat out more often? If you have a busy lifestyle, then spending a little extra on convenience foods may be worth it. On the other hand, if you have more time to cook, then saving money by cooking at home may be the better option.
5. What are your priorities?
Are you trying to save money for a specific goal, such as a down payment on a house or a new car? Or are you more concerned with enjoying life and eating quality food? If saving money is your top priority, then you may want to focus on cooking at home or bringing your own lunch to work. However, if you prioritize enjoying life and eating quality food, then spending a little extra money on food may be the better option.
6. How much enjoyment do you get from eating out?
Some people enjoy going out to eat and are willing to spend the extra money to do so. Others would rather save money by eating at home. Consider how much enjoyment you get from eating out before making a decision.
7. What is your overall financial situation?
If you are trying to save money for a specific goal, such as retirement or a down payment on a house, then it is probably best to focus on saving money. Here’s an article that would help. However, if you have a little extra money to spend and you are not worried about your future financial security, then spending a little extra on quality food may be the better option.
No matter what your situation is, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to spending money on food. It all depends on your individual situation and preferences. Just make sure to consider all of the factors before making a decision so that you can make the choice that is right for you. So, what do you think? Is spending money on food always a good idea, or is it better to save your money? Let us know in the comments below!
Source:
https://dinesurf.com/saving-money-vs-spending-money-on-food/
Article #3: The Importance of Saving Money to Stock Up on Food Supplies
April 17, 2020
The Importance of Saving Money to Stock Up on Food Supplies
Money is an essential aspect of our lives. We use it to buy the things we love, necessities, and of course, our everyday food. However, one of the most important factors when it comes to money that people always fail to achieve is saving it.
The act of saving is sometimes overlooked, especially when you have hordes of cash on hand. The moment we receive our payroll at work, we tend to dash immediately to shopping centers and buy impulsively.
The more we do impulsive buying, the more we forget that there is little money left in our hands. So what do you do? You can’t just cry in a corner and wait for a miracle to happen that money will rain above you.
And this is why saving money is needed for future use, especially for stocking up food supplies in case of an emergency. Food is one of the most important things we should focus on in times of crisis. This fact is more evident now than ever given our situation right now with the global pandemic.
Stores have been shut, and only a few supermarkets are open for the meantime. If we bought food before the pandemic happened, then this won’t be a problem. But we are caught off guard with its occurrence. What was once a seemingly small and localized virus quickly grew into a tragic global phenomenon in a matter of months.
How Saving Money Can Help You in Times of Need
According to a statistical report, the personal saving rate in the United States is sitting at 7.6% in 2019, which is quite low compared to previous years, such as 2018 and 2012, having 8.8% and 12%, respectively.
In other words, the report shows that as the years go by, Americans are spending more cash without saving money. And if you don’t want to be a part of these numbers, then you should learn the art of saving money.
Your piggy bank is your best friend during emergencies. And the coronavirus pandemic is the prime example of how saving money can prevent you from starving at the heart of your own homes.
But it’s not only limited to our global situation right now but also in natural disasters, or any emergency occurrence too. So in what way can we maximize our savings? Here are a few tips you should keep in mind:
- Don’t eat out too much — There’s no denying that we will crave for delicious and mouth-watering cuisine at our favorite local restaurant. However, if you do this more often, your wallet will probably beg for its life. Your stomach may be satiated, but the consequence you get is an empty bank account. So practice eating out less and keep those cravings at bay for the meantime.
- Take a carpool or mass transit — If you have a car, you know by know how expensive it can be to operate versus public commuting. The amount of money you spent on gas and maintenance is sky-rocketing every month. So to save cash, book a carpool, take your bike, or try out UberPool.
- Make use of coupons when shopping — Coupons are a lifesaver for all our shopping escapades. These discounts will free up your money by giving you bonus items along with your original purchase, discounts on goods you need and use every day. Grocery coupons are even better. Some grocery coupons will provide you with free item bundles or an opportunity to redeem them for free food items that you can add to your cart.
- List your grocery shopping list — When you jot down all you need for your grocery shopping; it will prevent you from spending unnecessary items that are not included in the list. With a grocery list, it teaches you discipline over food items that you are going to buy. There are plenty of apps on your smartphone where you can create a grocery list if you don’t want to write things down on your own manually.
- Be mindful of your electric bill — There’s no need to turn the air conditioning unit all day long or crank up the heater during colder nights. Let alone having your outdoor lights being up for 24/7. Save yourself from towering electric bills by keeping your appliances at a stable usage only. You can survive a hot and sunny day without setting your air condition unit to full. Just grab yourself some cold drinks to keep yourself refreshed.
- Don’t buy unnecessary things for your home — That huge Smart TV is tempting, and so as that large bookshelf. Thoughts like this usually happen when we receive our paycheck. And the next thing we know, our home is full of beautiful yet unnecessary equipment. Prevent yourself from splurging on unnecessary things and put that cash in your piggy bank instead.
Self-Control is Key
When you start to save money, it can be tempting to break that jar because of how beautiful it looks when filled with cash. That’s why it is crucial to keep your savings out of sight. Doing so prevents yourself and your family from being tempted to say, “It’s just a few bucks.”
Of course, you can use your bank account instead to store your savings. But in a world where everything we do is right in front of the internet, we might never know we already spent money online unknowingly.
Hey look, an ad about the latest smartphone just popped up on your screen. And it says in the description that they accept credit/debit cards as a means of payment. You may shrug off that ad at first, but a few hours later, you will find yourself purchasing that smartphone using your bank cards.
Temptations are everywhere, not just in the real world and also in the virtual world. The only thing you can do is to practice self-control over your savings. Remember, natural calamities or unexpected disasters are just around the corner, waiting for the right time to strike. And the only reliable weapon you can battle it with is your savings.
The importance of stocking up food supplies in case of an emergency should never be taken for granted. Food will never be an issue with the help of your savings. And you can have a happy and satiated tummy while being locked down on your homes.
Source:
https://readyreservefoods.com/blogs/news/the-importance-of-saving-money-to-stock-up-on-food-supplies
