The rise in prices makes the most vulnerable families suffer

While price inflation strikes Quebec hard, families organize themselves to save their money as best as possible.Choices that can jeopardize the mental or physical health of already fragile people.

According to Statistics Canada, on an average annual basis, the consumer price index (IPC) increased by 3.4% in 2021 in Canada.This financial outbreak has significant impact on people with the lowest incomes, forced to rethink their purchases at the grocery store."Everything has increased, it is frightening," claims Isabelle, a single -parent mother who lives with her 11 -year -old daughter, in Hochelaga."Before, two steaks cost me around $ 15, now it happens $ 20," she said.Same remark for fish, dairy products or other non -food products, such as those at the pharmacy.

Indeed, according to Statistics Canada, Canadians paid 2.2% more for their grocery store in 2021, after having already experienced 2.4% in 2020.The prices of the items for breakfast notably increased, such as eggs (+6.3%), bacon (+12.5%) as well as fresh fruit (+2.6%), which were all moreraised in 2021.

With a budget of $ 400-450 to eat for two, making the grocery store has become for Isabelle a real hunt for low prices, in order to find good deals."I check all the specials, and compare them with other grocery stores.I go to Super C, and also at Maxi, if I see better specials, "explains Carole, who does not hesitate to go even further, to find the best offers.

Same scenario in the southwest for Carole, a single-parent mom who lives with her 24-year-old daughter."In parallel with her studies, my daughter works as a rescuer in the pools, and she helps me to pay certain things at home, like petrol for the car," explains Carole.The mother deplores that "prices are increasing, but not wages" and has tightened her belt for several months already."We consume less and less meat.There for example, I spent $ 50 of beef to make a Bolognese sauce in spaghetti.While it was still $ 40 or 45 not long ago, for the same quantity.»»»»

Carole has decided to give priority to the most balanced diet possible, and made the choice to restrict unnecessary expenses, such as clothing and the hairdresser.The mother explains that even when the restaurants had reopened at the end of 2021, she did not go there because she must keep her money for her car repairs.A situation which, according to her, will not improve in the future. «Je pense que je vais faire moins de sorties, comme aller au cinéma, ou voir des spectacles»»»», confie Carole.

A healthy diet is also the priority chosen, in Ahuntsic, by Stéphane, father of two boys aged 9 and 11, of which he has shared custody. «La hausse des prix, je la vois au quotidien, puisque je fais mon épicerie quasiment tous les jours»»»», explique Stéphane, qui aime cuisiner des produits frais. «Mais les fruits et les légumes, c’est comme si ça devenait des produits de luxe»»»», souligne le papa, qui adapte ses achats en fonction du prix des aliments."If I see that the leek is too expensive, then I turn to turnip. Et si c’est pas le navet, alors ça sera de la pomme de terre»»»», mentionne Stéphane.

Vicious Circle for Health

This price increase in grocery store is also a source of concern for people victims of eating disorders. «L’impact des prix peut amener à exacerber ces troubles»»»», soutient la nutritionniste et coach en alimentation intuitive Guylaine Guevremont, dont le cabinet Muula est basé à Hampstead.

Moreover, the professional already notices an increase in consultation requests since the beginning of 2022.And more generally since the start of the COVVI-19 crisis.

"The reality of my customers are customers who suffer from bulimia or hyperphagia. Le coût de la nourriture qui augmente, ça augmente encore plus la pression sur ces aliments qu’ils apprécient, et dont ils décident de se priver»»»», explique la nutritionniste."Economic stress can cause even greater consumption of food, and cause additional distress.Others will choose deprivation, which also leads to overconsumption of bad foods.»»»»

By thinking of controlling the situation, the patient actually only worsens the loss of control. La nutritionniste rappelle en revanche que «les troubles alimentaires, ça se guérit»»»» et elle encourage vivement les personnes atteintes de ces troubles à consulter un spécialiste. «Quand on voit que c’est au-delà de nos forces d’avoir une relation saine avec la nourriture, il faut consulter et se faire aider»»»», conclut Guylaine Guevremont.