Shocking study finds healthy eating now costs twice as much as eating junk food
The cost of healthy food has surged at twice the rate of junk food, making it harder than ever for low-income families to afford a nutritious diet, according to new research from the Food Foundation.
The Broken Plate 2025 report, published today, examined the trends impacting the UK's food system and the actions needed from policymakers to ensure everyone can afford healthy and sustainable food. It highlighted that too many people in the UK lack the financial means to access decent food, revealing that 1,000 calories of healthy food (such as fresh fruits and vegetables) now costs £8.80, compared to just £4.30 for the same calorie count of processed foods, including ready meals and processed meats.
The gap between healthy and unhealthy options has widened dramatically over the past two years, with prices for nutritious foods rising by 21%, while less healthy options increased by only 11%.
As a result, millions of low-income households are being forced to cut back on essentials. The Food Foundation charity warns that 60% of food-insecure families have reduced their fruit intake, while 44% have cut back on vegetables due to rising costs.
Experts say the UK's food system is failing to support public health. Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation, describes the situation as a 'tragic imbalance'.
'Our Broken Plate report sadly shows that our food system is failing to provide large swathes of the population with the basic nutrition needed for them to stay healthy and thrive,' she said.
To afford the government-recommended healthy diet, the most deprived fifth of the population would need to spend '45% of their disposable income on food, rising to 70% for those households with children,' the report states.
This economic pressure is having serious consequences. The report further highlights that children across all income groups are consuming significantly less healthy food – with those from poorer households consuming 20% less fruit and vegetables than wealthier children and nearly twice as likely to be obese.
Adding to the crisis, food manufacturers and retailers continue to push unhealthy options. The report found more than a third (36%) of food and soft drink advertising spend is dedicated to junk food (confectionery, snacks, desserts and soft drinks), compared to just 2% of marketing spend on fruit and veg.
The research also showed that a quarter of food outlets in England are fast-food chains, rising to a third in the poorest areas.
While the UK government has pledged to introduce a National Food Strategy aimed at tackling unhealthy diets, campaigners argue that urgent action is needed to make nutritious food more accessible and affordable for everyone. And that, without intervention, the growing price gap between healthy and unhealthy food risks deepening inequalities for generations to come.
Healthier foods are more than twice as expensive per calorie than less healthy foods and less available.
The most deprived fifth of the population would need to spend 45% of their disposable income on food to afford the government-recommended healthy diet – rising to 70% for households with children.
A quarter of all food outlets in England are fast-food businesses rising to nearly one in three in the most deprived areas.
Processed red meat harms more than just your heart: it's linked to dementia too
Professor Chris Whitty's annual report urges government to tax 'junk food' in order to tackle obesity
You'll never guess which foods are banned under new junk food advertising rules
Cut through the noise and get practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to the WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTER
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