You can get a fast food burger for $1.50 and a pound of 85% lean ground beef is over $4. A 3 pound bagof chicken is close to $10 where I live. A bag of whole grain noodles is about $3 and white noodles are 95 cents. But it doesn't cost more to eat less. And we prioritize healthy food in my home. It comes before luxuries like cable tv.