Choosing food based on savings can cost you more than $

If you want to figure out how well the economy is doing, all you have to do is watch the intensity of the fast food wars.

-- The latest Taco Bell commercial where a guy walks in and feels he has to carefully order a 5-layer "beefy" burrito for 89¢.

-- Burger King goes all out to brag about its double hamburger for $1.

-- Wendy's promotes spicy chicken nuggets for 99¢.

-- McDonald's brings even more attention to its Dollar Menu.

One casualty of the struggling economy is the more than occasional need to pick food based on cost. Even when the economy is doing so-so, consumers do pick food on cost, or at least perceived cost savings.

It's not the cost of the food that should matter, but the cost to you, your health, and the impact on society. But all those elements might not be factored in if you don't have much money or time, and you're hungry.