Our palettes have been cultivated over years of consuming addicting foods.
If we really wanted to cut down time and costs we would do away with cooking all together. Moreover, raw diets promote greater nutrition through allowing more active enzymes in food to support body functions.
We are not "wired" to crave foods sold in stores; these cravings are developed by commercialized foods and promote overeating (higher overall consumption and sales). This does not promote the economy, as people would have more disposable income to eat healthy food or buy other products if we simply ate raw foods.
To anyone that suggests it is "unrealistic", I'm sorry, food addiction is not healthy, and it is normalized and wastes healthcare resources to address cardiovascular disease, obesity, compromised immune health, organ failure, cancer, etc.
Last week I actually tried pumpkin pie for a celebration, I used to love it! IT was god-awfully sweet, like pouring a cup of sugar in your coffee over-sweetened. No thanks I will stick with fruit.
The devotion of resources to cooking, restaurants, cooking appliances, kitchen space, energy costs, oils, etc. is a massive waste of resources. Let's grow more food and reduce costs. Nutrition is not art or recreational activity and our society would benefit from moving away from foodie culture toward nutritional culture. Moreover, you will definitely waste less time exercising to maintain body weight; you honestly don't have to do any more than eat raw foods (veggies, fruits, nuts, some oils, sprouted grains) and walk a little bit during the day.
I'm not a raw vegan enthusiast, I have lost enthusiasm for food and placed that enthusiasm, time, energy, thought to other things. Also, I do not have acne/folliculitis, allergies, low-energy, insomnia (for caffeine to combat low-energy), or depression. Moreover, I do not spend money on any drink other than water.
My cost for food, rent, utilities, drinks (it's called just drink water) has shaved hundreds of dollars per year. My current apartment is spacious but the down-side is that the kitchen is basically non-existent. It's perfect. I do not waste money on appliances. Moreover, I do not waste money of detergent, I use baking soda; the detergent was also a MAJOR contributor to my dermatitis/folliculititis along with dairy/gluten. The cost of face washes, moisturizers, accutane, and antibiotics, which only made my dermatitis/folliculititis worse for less acne is another plus to addressing the issue by cutting out dairy/gluten/cooked foods.
Long rambling rant aside, it's insane to me now that I've addressed food in my life, that anyone can claim fresh food is more expensive. Proper nutrition has allowed me to cure ailments and be have more disposable income and time.