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Here& #39;s a new study ( @svandevijvere et al) showing that ultra-processed foods cost less per calorie than minimally processed foods.
But there& #39;s a serious contradiction and it& #39;s critical.
It gets at how important food price is.
Stay with me. 1/ https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2787/htm">https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643...
But there& #39;s a serious contradiction and it& #39;s critical.
It gets at how important food price is.
Stay with me. 1/ https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2787/htm">https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643...
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& #39;s the key point:
If the price of crappy food were a key determinant of people& #39;s diets, we& #39;d expect diets to improve as you go up the income scale.
They don& #39;t, until you get to about the top third.
I& #39;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">https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle...
If the price of crappy food were a key determinant of people& #39;s diets, we& #39;d expect diets to improve as you go up the income scale.
They don& #39;t, until you get to about the top third.
I& #39;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">https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle...
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& #39;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& #39;s look at the actual numbers ...
Here& #39;s % of calories from minimally processed foods, by education level:
Low: 20%
Medium: 21%
High: 23%
Key question: what& #39;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& #39;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& #39; 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& #39; 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& #39;s how entrenched this wrong idea is.
Thanks for listening. #B19-nutrients-12-02787">https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2787/htm #B19-nutrients-12-02787">https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643...
Yet even a study that demonstrates that they do not recommends making good food cheaper.
That& #39;s how entrenched this wrong idea is.
Thanks for listening. #B19-nutrients-12-02787">https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2787/htm #B19-nutrients-12-02787">https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643...
