Many people say that they can't afford to eat a healthy diet. They say that fruits and vegetables cost too much and that they get more bang for their buck at fast-food restaurants. The irony is that, while they can't afford to buy healthy food, they are paying hundreds of dollars per month on medications to treat chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, which are often brought on by unhealthy eating in the first place. When people say, "I can't afford to eat well," my response is, 'you can't afford not to."

To read this month's column, go to http://www.ncpad.org/824/4210/The~Power~of~Produce.