Last Updated on September 3, 2021 by Emma W. Thomas
Whole foods are expensive because they are unprocessed and unrefined. They are freshly produced on organic farms. Their production does not involve any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides, in comparison to refined and processed foods. The higher quality standards and usage of higher quality materials make them more expensive than other substitutes available in the supermarket. Whole foods are also expensive for their higher nutritional value.
The term whole food mainly refers to plant-based food that is grown naturally. Animal products, poultry, and dairy are generally excluded. Some related questions that people ask frequently about whole foods are listed below.
What Is So Special About Whole Foods?
Most of the foods that we get from the supermarket, including vegetables, fruits, and grains, are produced on a large scale. Hence, the target for the production mostly focuses on quantity. The foods are refined and processed using various chemical substances, which compromises the foods’ nutritional value.
The very basic concept of whole foods stands apart from the processed foods by keeping the quality over the quantity. Instead of mass-production, whole foods are carefully produced in organic farms, which ensures their higher quality. The whole foods are unprocessed or keep the processing as low as possible to keep their nutrients intact. They are produced using better quality materials, which increases their cost.
Is The Whole Food Healthy?
Most of us rely on processed foods. We need a quick fix in our daily lives. This results in us often forget about nutrition. Most the processed foods contain much oil and sugar, which are responsible for several life-threatening diseases. Unhealthy eating habits also increases the chance of obesity in people. The increasing rate of heart diseases with several others like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer points towards unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles.
According to the market, processed foods are cheaper and easier to make than organically grown whole foods. They may be expensive, but they are rich in nutrients and help to counter many of the diseases.
Whole foods contain vital nutrients and vitamin that improves our overall health. Studies have shown that a whole food diet can help to reduce weight. We can work up towards a healthy lifestyle while keeping our weight in check.
Heart diseases are a threat when it comes to our well-being. That is why the quality of our diet matters. Studies have found that people who have maintained a whole-food-based diet have a significantly less chance of developing heart disease. To maintain a healthy heart, plant-based whole foods are the best choice.
Whole foods can also help reduce the risk of cancer. People who have a plant-based diet are less likely to develop gastrointestinal cancer.
A whole food diet that is plant-based can help to regulate your blood sugar. Keeping the sugar levels low can lead to a lesser chance of developing diabetes. The risk is higher in people who prefer a non-vegetarian diet.
In addition, whole foods can also improve memory and reduce the chances of having Alzheimer’s disease. They prove effective in bettering one’s cognitive capability and help to resist diseases like dementia. Whole foods are rich in antioxidants, which can counter the process of aging and result in a longer life span.
Are Whole Foods Worth It?
Most of the food that we buy from the market is highly processed and mass-produced. Hence, they are cheaper than plant-based whole foods. Eating more processed food can lead to poor health and cause a number of diseases over the years. The cure for some of these diseases is fairly expensive, and for others, there is no cure at all. Some of the diseases and symptoms are chronic, so they need constant medical attention throughout life.
The habit of eating processed food can prove to be expensive in the long run. Plant-based whole foods are costlier than processed foods, still, they come with plenty of vital nutrients and vitamins. The nutritional value of the foods resists these diseases by improving our immunity. To keep a healthy, functioning body and a long life, whole foods are worth their cost.
How Expensive Are Whole Foods?
Whole foods are priced significantly higher than substitutes. The fruits and vegetables are taken great care of; thus, the yield is higher quality. Most of the whole foods’ price is around 10%-20% higher than other foods, making it expensive.
List Of Whole Foods
Some of the whole foods are listed below:
1. Unrefined grains – whole wheat, brown rice, barley, etc.
2. Vegetables – kale, spinach, sweet potato, carrot, cauliflower, tomato, broccoli, etc.
3. Fruits – apple, banana, apricot, pineapple, avocado, peach, and other citrus fruits.
4. Seeds – sesame, pumpkin, flax, quinoa, hemp, sunflower, etc.
5. Legumes – black beans, chickpeas, fava beans, kidney beans, lentils, etc.
6. Nuts – walnut, almond, cashew, pistachio, hazelnut, etc.
Oils, refined sugar, and white flour are not taken into account because of the processing they go through. For some animal and dairy products, if they’re unprocessed, then they are considered whole. As an example, it is true for cow milk. If the milk does not go through the process of fat removal, it is considered whole by some specialists. The same thing goes for seafood and fish.
Comparison Between Whole Foods And Processed Foods
| Whole Foods | Processed Foods |
| Whole foods are expensive compared to refined foods. | Processed foods are cheaper than whole foods. |
| Whole foods are cultivated carefully without any chemical fertilizers and pesticides. | Processed foods are mass-produced hence, chemical pesticides and fertilizers are used. |
| The absence of chemicals ensures the foods’ higher nutritional value. | Processing of the foods cuts down to their nutritional value. |
A whole foods diet ensures a healthy lifestyle, whereas eating processed foods can lead to several serious threatening diseases. In this way, whole foods remain a healthier substitute than refined foods in spite of their high price.
Conclusion
To summarise the article, a few points can be made about whole foods. Whole foods are expensive for their production process, but they provide better nutritional value than other cheap, processed food substitutes. Consuming whole foods also comes with great health benefits. As expensive they may be, they are worth the cost.
