You know, I'm glad you mentioned the healthy eating it'll cost you post (which I unfortunately haven't had the time to comment on yet) along with all the rest of them (and thanks for my link as well). My husband and I talk about this from time to time and another friend and I have been discussing it quite a bit lately.

The bad food is cheaper. As healthy as we eat, we know there is more we could do and are finally getting in a position to try out a few additional things. One example that comes immediately to mind is the difference between bulk white rice and bulk organic brown rice / or bulk barley. When you are really struggling to put every penny to the best use and still make ends meet, it sure is easy to grab the rice that's 20 cents a pound versus the rice that's closer to a dollar a pound if not more than a dollar a pound. They are both real food, but one is way better for you nutritionally. Chana dahl is another example of being higher per pound than yellow lentils / split peas. Nothing wrong with either, but one is way lower on the glycemic index scale.  We have finally managed to make the switch from honey to organic agave nectar, and feel good about that. But some people would find being able to afford either a stretch. Specialty flours versus white flours can also rack up in cost for someone just starting out. Sure, you can bake the bread, but how much healthier is it if you can't afford flax seed or oat bran to add to the mix? Or even whole wheat flour?

I am in total agreement with starting with real food for sure. I have found though, that is only the first in a series of battles. And if you add in the organic factor . . . wow . . . you can really get soaked. I'm interested to see how this discussion unfolds. Cool post, as usual.