I cook almost all of our meals at home. I use mainly whole ingredients and minimal hyper processed foods. Outside of tips or service fees associated with eating takeout or dining out, there are lots of non fast food options nearby that cost us less per meal than many of my go to meals. Quality produce (when you can find it) has become particularly expensive.

Even if that weren’t the case, people that don’t know how to cook as it is aren’t going to be well versed in replacing more expensive ingredients with cheaper ones. These people are less likely to start using healthier, whole ingredients at home, and will instead opt for cheap, highly processed options like skillet noodle meals and frozen prepared foods.

This situation is no joke. I am honestly on edge about just how dire this could get.