Mixed
Healthier food-based diet patterns cost significantly more than less healthy options, with an average increase of $1.48 per day and $1.54 per 2000 kcal.
If you are trying to eat healthier, expect to pay more. This meta-analysis confirms that healthier food-based diets cost about $1.50 more per day than less healthy ones. This is a significant financial barrier, especially for low-income populations. To mitigate this, focus on affordable healthy staples like grains and dairy, which showed smaller or no price differences, and consider policy-level changes or subsidies to make healthy food more accessible.
Comparing extremes (top vs bottom quantile) of food-based diet patterns, healthier diets cost $1.48/day ($1.01 to $1.95) and $1.54/2000 kcal ($1.15 to $1.94) more.
Why this rating
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 27 studies from 10 countries.
Source
Do healthier foods and diet patterns cost more than less healthy options? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mayuree Rao et al. · BMJ Open · 2013
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →