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Here's a new study ( @svandevijvere et al) showing that ultra-processed foods cost less per calorie than minimally processed foods.
But there's a serious contradiction and it's critical.
It gets at how important food price is.
Stay with me. 1/ https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2787/htm
But there's a serious contradiction and it's critical.
It gets at how important food price is.
Stay with me. 1/ https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2787/htm
The basic results:
Ultra-processed foods: .55 Euro/100 kcal
Minimally processed foods: 1.29 Euro/100 kcal
Their conclusion:
"Policies that improve relative affordability and accessibility of MPF are recommended."
But wait ...
Ultra-processed foods: .55 Euro/100 kcal
Minimally processed foods: 1.29 Euro/100 kcal
Their conclusion:
"Policies that improve relative affordability and accessibility of MPF are recommended."
But wait ...
Under Results:
"There were no significant differences between men and women and between different socio-economic population groups in regard to UPF consumption."
"There were no significant differences between men and women and between different socio-economic population groups in regard to UPF consumption."
Here's the key point:
If the price of crappy food were a key determinant of people's diets, we'd expect diets to improve as you go up the income scale.
They don't, until you get to about the top third.
I've written about this. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/is-nutritious-food-really-more-pricey-and-if-so-is-that-really-the-problem/2016/11/23/91ed1026-adeb-11e6-977a-1030f822fc35_story.html
If the price of crappy food were a key determinant of people's diets, we'd expect diets to improve as you go up the income scale.
They don't, until you get to about the top third.
I've written about this. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/is-nutritious-food-really-more-pricey-and-if-so-is-that-really-the-problem/2016/11/23/91ed1026-adeb-11e6-977a-1030f822fc35_story.html
The authors also look at education:
"The contribution of MPF to the daily dietary cost was significantly higher for individuals with a higher household education level compared to those with a lower household education level (p < 0.01)."
Let's look at the actual numbers ...
"The contribution of MPF to the daily dietary cost was significantly higher for individuals with a higher household education level compared to those with a lower household education level (p < 0.01)."
Let's look at the actual numbers ...
Here's % of calories from minimally processed foods, by education level:
Low: 20%
Medium: 21%
High: 23%
Key question: what's the difference in consumption of ultra-processed foods? None. (31%/30%/31% for L/M/H)
Low: 20%
Medium: 21%
High: 23%
Key question: what's the difference in consumption of ultra-processed foods? None. (31%/30%/31% for L/M/H)
It seems to me that the takeaway of this study is that diets are remarkably consistent across socio-economic categories.
The conclusion that we should make minimally processed foods more affordable is not supported by the data.
I would love to hear the authors' take on this.
The conclusion that we should make minimally processed foods more affordable is not supported by the data.
I would love to hear the authors' take on this.
If lack of money were the barrier to eating well, diets would improve with income. They do not.
Yet even a study that demonstrates that they do not recommends making good food cheaper.
That's how entrenched this wrong idea is.
Thanks for listening. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2787/htm#B19-nutrients-12-02787
Yet even a study that demonstrates that they do not recommends making good food cheaper.
That's how entrenched this wrong idea is.
Thanks for listening. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2787/htm#B19-nutrients-12-02787
