Putting a healthy-eating myth to sleep

There's a healthy-eating myth that needs to finally die or be killed: "Eating healthy is too expensive."

It's not. 

I have heard it over and over, and used to believe it, so allow me to debunk it for us.

It's true that certain unhealthy foods (like Ramen Noodles, Twinkies, white bread, etc.) may cost less than healthy foods (like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, etc.) on a one-off or pound-for-pound basis.  For example, creamy peanut butter may be cheaper than all-natural, and hot-dogs may be cheaper per-pound than chicken breasts, but there's one fundamental aspect of unhealthy eating that balloons the cost past healthy eating: eating out.

According to the wussy NRA (the National Restaurant Association), in 2000 Americans were eating out an average of 4.2 times per week.  That figure has probably trended upward since.

I submit to you that the money spent eating out far outweighs any additional premium paid for eating healthy, even if one spends a low average of $5 for each restaurant meal. 

Please put your right hand over your heart and repeat after me: I.promise.next.time.I.hear.someone.say.eating.healthy.is.too.expensive.I.will.pull.the.nearest.fire.alarm.