With the recent increases in food prices tugging on our purse strings, it is easy to perceive a healthy diet as being more expensive or out of reach. However the latter is true.

 

A study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal analysed more than 800 supermarket shoppers using electronic data over a period of 12 months. The aim of the study was to estimate the difference in cost and nutrient value for selected foods and healthier food items in New Zealand. The study concluded that while cost is frequently perceived to be a barrier to a healthy diet, large improvements in diet can be made without having to spend more.

 

A interesting book to read on this topic is Michael Pollan’s last book, called ‘In Defence of Food’. In his book he explains how real food is disappearing fast from the marketplace being replaced with ‘edible food-like substances’ packaged with labels bearing health claims that are typically false and misleading. I’m not up to speed with New Zealand’s statistics, but according to Michael’s new book, in the 1960’s Americans spent 17.5% of their income on food and 5.2% of their income on health care. Since then the numbers have flipped, they spend less than 10% of their income on food while healthcare has climbed. His recommendation is to pay more for quality, eat less, eat in season and eat real food. As a nutritionist I see first hand how easy it is to eat healthy food and save money.

 

Perhaps a good thing will come out of the global  recession, we will be forced to return to the kitchen and cook from scratch. We’ll all cut down on cafe meals and drinks, we’ll plant a garden and freeze our food. Hopefully we’ll start eating like the French do.

- Jacquie