Expensive Diet

A new study finds that a healthy diet is expensive and could make it difficult for Americans to meet new U.S. nutritional guidelines.

The study in the journal Health Affairs published Thursday says the government should do more to help consumers eat healthier.

Researchers at the University of Washington found the healthy diet recommended by the U.S. government can be so expensive that many Americans may not be able to afford to follow those guidelines. The 2010 update of the so-called food pyramid recommended eating more potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D and calcium.

But the study says that could add hundreds of more dollars to a person's annual grocery bill.

Lead researcher Pablo Monsivais says that for example, more potassium in a diet is likely to add $380 per year.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)