> Many primary ingredients are sold in cardboard or plastic packaging. Ok yes, a rhetorical failure on my part. The distinction was of "meals coming in wrappin

> Many primary ingredients are sold in cardboard or plastic packaging. Ok yes, a rhetorical failure on my part. The distinction was of "meals coming in wrapping" vs. making them out of primary ingredients. I'm thinking butchered meat and fish from the counter, fresh produce by weight, grains by the weight. But yes, those same things can be sold in boxes and plastic. But with #3, you don't have to make complicated meals - those indeed are a luxury. My bachelor rule of thumb was 3 "foodthings", 3 minutes, add spice to taste. Or 5 of each, if you splurge. Of course, with higher income, you can buy even higher quality primary ingredients, and the contrast to the cheapest basics are remarkable. But the difference is mostly limited to freshness, texture, taste - at the moment research doesn't suggest they are better from a fundamental nutrititional value standpoint.