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November 2023 - Food

Families are eating less healthy foods due to the cost of living crisis: A recent study has revealed that families are shifting towards less healthy eating habits, resorting to ready meals and processed foods as a result of the cost of living crisis.

The BBC Good Food Nation survey, which surveyed 2,013 adults across the UK, found that while over two-thirds of people (69%) considered themselves healthy eaters, a significant 28% acknowledged that they have been consuming less nutritious food due to its high cost.

The study further indicates that 19% of respondents are turning to more affordable ready meals and processed foods, while 17% have reduced their from-scratch cooking efforts. This survey, examining shopping, cooking, and dietary trends, discovered that three in five individuals (60%) have altered their food choices in response to the increasing cost of ingredients. This includes 16% who have cut back on organic ingredients and 12% who are reducing their protein intake to cope with higher food expenses. Additionally, 15% are opting for packed lunches to save money when going to work.

The polling also found that more than a quarter (28%) of survey participants reported changing their choice of supermarkets due to the cost of living crisis, and 4% have resorted to food banks or alternative sources for groceries. 

Among those surveyed, 68% regarded price as the most crucial factor when selecting a supermarket , while 61% acknowledged that the cost of living has influenced their dietary choices to some extent. This impact includes increased awareness of healthy eating to avoid falling ill due to financial constraints (18%) and a shift towards less healthy eating habits driven by stress (15%). The survey also revealed that 13% of individuals are opting for less healthy options due to time constraints resulting from longer working hours.

Motivations to reduce food waste

Over a third of those surveyed (36%) said that they were generating a reduced amount of food waste. The primary motivations behind this change were to save money (59%), exercise more meticulous meal planning (44%), and contribute to reducing waste for environmental reasons (34%). Notably, the survey identified the four most frequently discarded food items as salad leaves (31%), bread (29%), fruit (24%), and vegetables (23%).

Christine Hayes, the editor-in-chief of BBC Good Food, said:

"We consider ourselves a nation of healthy eaters and we care about what we eat. However, rising costs have impacted choices and compromises have had to be made with people buying more processed food and ready meals and swapping supermarkets to save money.”

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