Economical Healthy Diets (2012): Including Lean Animal Protein Costs More Than Using Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Abstract

Healthy diets are perceived to be expensive due to vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat animal protein. The cost for a 7-day meal plan for an economical version of MyPlate (MP) and a plant-based olive oil (PBOO) were calculated. Servings of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains were determined. MP cost $53.11, and PBOO cost $38.75. Lean animal protein contributed $11.20 (21%) of the total costs for MP. PBOO had more servings of vegetables (44.50 vs. 19.33), fruits (34.50 vs. 30.75), and whole grains (34.0 v 20.0). An economical version of MP costs $746.46 more per year while providing fewer servings of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

KEYWORDS:

• extra virgin olive oil
• meat
• low-income
• diet