Mixed
Healthier meats and protein options cost significantly more per serving and per calorie than less healthy options.
If you are trying to eat healthier, expect to pay more for meat. This meta-analysis confirms that healthier meat options cost about $0.29 more per serving and $0.47 per 200 kcal than less healthy options. This is the largest price difference among food groups. 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.
Among food groups, meats/protein had largest price differences: healthier options cost $0.29/serving (95% CI $0.19 to $0.40) and $0.47/200 kcal ($0.42 to $0.53) more than less healthy options.
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
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