According to this study <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.hsph.harvard.edu&#x2F;news&#x2F;press-releases&#x2F;healthy-vs-unhealthy-diet-costs-1-50-more&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.hsph.harvard.edu&#x2F;news&#x2F;press-releases&#x2F;healthy-vs-u...</a> healthier diet patterns--fresh meat, vegetables, etc.--cost about $1.50 more per day. So, yes, there is some difference and meal prep etc. certainly takes longer. However, the processed food is so much cheaper argument can also be overstated.