So, I went to Aldi to buy groceries and since I am working on making better eating choices, I bought different things than I normally do. And I came to a realization. Eating healthy is expensive! Fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats, and good proteins are way more expensive than frozen, pre-packaged, quick fix meals or junk food.

I was talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion during a job interview recently, and I mentioned that in the last several years I have begun to look at most things in life through an equity lens. Meaning that I look at things from the perspective of how it affects people of color, low income, and other marginalized groups. And I think about the things that we as a society should do differently to even the playing field for those with less resources.

So as I was pondering my new health journey, I started thinking about how inaccessible being/eating healthy is for groups of people with little or no access to fresh produce, who can’t afford to purchase healthier food options, or who don’t have the time to make fresh meals from scratch. And most of the people who fall into one or more of those categories are the poor, the unhoused, and the non-white.

In my thought process, I recognized my privilege as someone who, while complaining about the cost of eating healthier, has the ability to afford it and the time to prepare it. I know there are plenty of organizations out there who are working to help provide better access to grocery stores and healthy food options in marginalized neighborhoods but there’s always more work to be done. And always opportunities for us to look at the privileges we are afforded in our daily lives and think about those who may not be as fortunate. 

So I am challenging myself (and you) to recognize the privilege in the things in our daily lives that we complain about like buying gas, walking up stairs, paying the electric bill in the winter/summer, or eating healthier. Because there are others who would give anything to have the problems that we complain about.

When I posted about eating healthy being expensive on Facebook, someone commented “but it’s worth it”.

Yes it is worth it. Unfortunately, only for those who can afford it.

We gotta do better, America.