More than a quarter of consumers eating less healthily in cost-of-living crisis
Some 28% of people say they are eating less nutritious food because it is too expensive, a BBC Good Food Nation survey found.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than a quarter of consumers are eating less healthily due to the cost-of-living crisis, including turning increasingly to ready meals and processed foods, a study suggests.
More than two-thirds of people (69%) consider themselves to be healthy eaters but 28% say they are eating less nutritious food because it is too expensive, with 19% reporting that they are eating more ready meals and processed food because they are cheaper, according to the BBC Good Food Nation survey.
The poll found 17% are cooking less from scratch and 16% are cutting back on organic food and ingredients because of the cost.
Some 12% say they are eating less protein because of the cost.
Some 28% have changed their supermarket due to cost-of-living considerations.
... 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
Overall, 61% say the cost of living has impacted their healthy eating habits in some way, including being more conscious of eating healthily because they cannot afford to get sick (18%) and eating less healthily due to stress (15%).
Christine Hayes, editor in chief of BBC Good Food, said: “The BBC Good Food Nation survey shows 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.”
More than a third of consumers (36%) said they are producing fewer leftovers now, with their reasons being to save money (59%); because they are meal planning more carefully (44%); and 34% saying they want to reduce waste to help the planet.
The four most common foods people throw away are salad leaves (31%), bread (29%), fruit (24%) and vegetables (23%).
Censuswide surveyed 2,013 UK consumers between August 10-14.