A healthy diet is cheaper than junk food but a good diet is still too expensive for some A healthy diet is cheaper than junk food but a good diet is still too expensive for some About 58% of the average household’s food budget is spent on ‘junk’ food. A healthy diet is cheaper than junk food but a good diet is still too expensive for some About 58% of the average household’s food budget is spent on ‘junk’ food.
Most Australian households’ food budget is being spent on “discretionary” or “junk” foods and drinks that are high in saturated fat, added sugar, salt and/or alcohol. The average Australian adult derives at least 35% of their energy intake from “junk” foods and drinks.
We used the Australian Health Survey 2011-13 and the recommendations of the Australian Dietary Guidelines to model current and healthy diets for a family of two adults and two children (plus for other common household makeups) per fortnight.
We collected food prices in supermarkets and stores in randomly selected high- and low-socioeconomic areas in Brisbane, and compared the diet prices with household incomes.
In both areas, a family of two adults and two children spend about 18% more on current diets than would be required to purchase healthy (recommended) diets. About 58% of the food budget for the current diet is spent on “junk”, including take-away foods (14%), alcohol (12%) and sugary drinks (4%).
In the low-socioeconomic area, a family of two adults and two children spend A$640.20 per fortnight on their current diet, but could buy a healthy diet for A$560.93 per fortnight.
Current diets cost more than healthy diets, so factors other than price must be helping drive preference for unhealthy choices. Ways to do this include increasing availability of healthy foods and drinks in schools and hospitals and regulating against “junk” food and drink advertising directed to children.
It is also important not to increase barriers by making healthy foods and drinks less affordable, such as by expanding the GST to include basic, healthy foods.
