However, if you are smart it's possible to eat much cheaper than McDonalds and almost infinitely healthier. The secret is just eat like they do in poor countries. Start with bulk quantities of some basic staples. I'm Brazilian, so for me it's rice and beans. Then buy veggies and meat that are on sale. Of course if you want it to taste good you have to learn to season and cook it properly, which takes time.

I admit that corn syrup drinks, processed carbs and extremely fatty/salty/msg-y food tastes great and can be quite addictive. I sympathize with people who are stuck in that cycle. However I've found that how I feel from eating healthy and getting a reasonable amount of exercise is far more significant to me than something that tastes good for 5 mins while I eat it. I'm convinced if people were more in touch with their own bodies it wouldn't be hard to convince them to eat healthier. Unfortunately American culture itself is a huge impediment to this, which is why I'm so happy to see Michelle Obama planting a garden. Cultural change is what we need.