Eating right can be cost-effective

Contrary to common perception, a nutritionally balanced diet is less expensive to maintain than one high in fat, sugar and salt, a study finds.

Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture concluded that most fruits, vegetables and grains are cheaper than foods like sodas, French fries or ice cream when measured by weight or portion size, according to SFGate.com. Previous studies have made high-calorie processed snacks seem like a bargain by measuring calories per dollar, which can be misleading, said study co-author Andrea Carlson.

“Using price per calorie doesn’t tell you how much food you’re going to get or how full you are going to feel,” she said.

More than a third of U.S. adults are obese, a figure expected to rise to 42 percent by 2030.