special guest christine :: talks money myths & health food

Think healthy food is only for the elite? Think again! Please welcome my guest, integrative health care specialist and food writer, Christine Dionese. She’s here today letting us pick her brain about accessing the abundant benefits of healthy food without breaking the bank!

Pure Mamas: So many myths surround the cost of food and its accessibility. I get a lot of readers and customers complaining about the high cost of being healthy. You must come across many of these myths as you teach families about their real choices. Let’s discuss the most widely held myths about food and its cost.

Christine: Hi Juli! Identifying these myths is the best place to start empowering people about their beliefs on food and nutrition. While there are many, most center around economic concerns for families. While the price tag may be perceived as high, the real cost of food translates into our personal philosophies on health and wellness.

PM: What do you mean by “the real cost of food?”

CD: How about the difference in cost between simple-carbohydrate containing foods verses complex-carbohydrate whole foods. For example, it’s true that the sticker price of bleached white bread and organic whole grain bread will obviously differ. The white bread might seem more appealing since it’ll satisfy hunger and comes with the lower monetary cost, but at what real cost?

In a society where we experience exceptionally high rates of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases, the real cost of these nutritionally void food choices are seen in our health care costs over time. Investing in healthy food choices is a conscious decision to invest in your family's long-term health and wellness.

PM: Still even, I’m sure this is a challenge to convince people of?

CD: Like most things, there’s a learning curve. My patients who’d been shuffled from doctor to doctor couldn’t understand why it was marginally more expensive to come for a visit to my office instead of doctor x, y or z. After coming regularly and thriving with an integrative approach, they could see the healthy advantages in their wallet as well. Fewer visits equalled less co-pays, less cost on transportation, empowerment and well-being. The same exact money-saving principles equate to investing in healthy food choices.

PM: Which brings us to the myths you mentioned a lot of folks tend to perceive about food.

CD: Most of the myths are centered around the almighty dollar. Here’s a couple I hear all of the time.

Myth 1 Health Food is only for rich people.

1. Not true! It's a been a long-held myth that eating and buying healthy food is only for the elite and rich folks. The first myth to bust is the poverty mentality surrounding this idea! With all that grows around us here in San Diego and across the US coasts, most of what we need to thrive is just steps away from our homes, grown close by in local fields... Think abundance!
2. Many of us live in areas so close to farmer’s markets we don’t even have to turn the car on! Markets are generally held three to five days a week across San Diego county just walking or biking distance away from our front doors!
3. Still not convinced? Then it’s time for you to try a CSA. Earlier this month Juli wrote about her positive experience with the local San Diego company, Specialty Produce. Here she was able to draw on locally grown produce to make her Kookie Karma products a truly local creation. If you aren’t familiar with community supported agriculture, check out my article here and hook up with one in your area. CSAs deliver a box chock full of produce from local farms to your community. Not only will you save your family a ton of dough, you’ll also be putting money back into the local economy!

Myth 2 (This myth is from new parents I consult to). Organic baby food is simply too expensive. My kid is just going to have to settle on the jarred stuff.