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Dollar stores are shaking up American grocery shopping, offering low prices but few healthy options
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A new study from Tufts University and the USDA dives into what families really buy and how it affects their diets
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Published Monday, the study finds that while dollar store foods are often less nutritious
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families make up for it with healthier purchases elsewhere. The lead author emphasized just because dollar store shelves have less healthy food does not mean families take home those items
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The research tracked more than 180,000 households from 2008 to 2020. It shows calories bought at dollar stores doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.5 percent
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Low-income families, rural residents, and certain racial groups rely more on these stores where food is generally less healthy
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Rural communities in particular depend on dollar stores as a vital food source
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But here's a surprise. Overall diet quality between dollar store shoppers and others is pretty similar
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It seems families balance cheaper, less nutritious buys with better choices elsewhere
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The study also flags issues beyond nutrition, like local business impacts and safety concerns linked to understaffing
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More than 25 local governments have tried to limit dollar store growth, but results are unclear
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Tufts' Sean Cash says some shoppers use dollar stores for sweets and snacks, buying less of those items elsewhere
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Researchers say more data is needed to fully understand the impact of dollar stores on healthy eating
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cautioning that some communities may be making policy decisions too quickly. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey
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