Docs on Call
Is Healthy Home Cooking Really More Expensive?
Clip: 4/23/2026 | 54sVideo has Closed Captions
A physician argues that cooking whole foods at home can be affordable and accessible.
Dr. David Tennant discusses the perception that healthy food and home cooking cost too much. He argues that grocery costs should be considered alongside income over time and points to modern kitchens, online recipes and cooking videos as tools that make preparing whole foods at home more accessible.
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Docs on Call is a local public television program presented by WTVP
Docs on Call
Is Healthy Home Cooking Really More Expensive?
Clip: 4/23/2026 | 54sVideo has Closed Captions
Dr. David Tennant discusses the perception that healthy food and home cooking cost too much. He argues that grocery costs should be considered alongside income over time and points to modern kitchens, online recipes and cooking videos as tools that make preparing whole foods at home more accessible.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipThe people look at the grocery prices, and it's true, they go up over time.
But I think what people are doing is they're thinking in terms of nominal, not real terms.
They're not adjusting for inflation.
You know, let's say over the last two years, your wage has gone up by 8%, but grocery prices have gone up by 4%.
These are real numbers, by the way, of like the average.
Have groceries gotten more expensive or cheaper?
I think most people would say expensive 'cause the number went up, but if you actually compare it to how much you're earning, it's cheaper, and it's just been true over, if you go back in time, the amount of discretionary income that Americans spend on their groceries has almost cut in half over the last 60, 70 years.
Nevermind the fact that we all have cooktops and ovens and dishwashers and easy recipes online.
You know, learning from a cookbook is really challenging, but learning from YouTube is very easy, 'cause it's infinitely patient and the recipe is spelled out for you.
So, what I would say is cooking and using whole foods is cheaper and easier than ever, so by all means, take advantage.
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