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Is healthy nutrition expensive?

To lead an active and healthy lifestyle, different types of food and nutrients are necessary. Consumers have high demands on the ingredients of their products and want them to offer added value.
Producers use this high demand to define prices in their favour. Is it still possible to eat a balanced diet at a reasonable price?
Scientific studies have determined the minimum cost of food that meets daily nutritional and energy needs. In high-income countries, the financial burden is only 3% of household income. In low-income countries, on the other hand, it is 36%.
The following foods have an excellent cost-nutrient ratio:
Milk
Eggs
Beans, seeds, nuts
Fruit and vegetables
Bread and muesli
The following foods are expensive compared to their nutritional profile:
Processed foods
Crackers and salty snacks
Cakes, biscuits and pies
Beef
Processed meat
Cheese
Dairy dessert
Sources:
The Nutrient Rich Foods Index helps to identify healthy, affordable foods
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 91, Issue 4, April 2010, Pages 1095S-1101S
Bai, Yan, et al. "Cost and affordability of nutritious diets at retail prices: Evidence from 177 countries." Food policy 99 (2021): 101983.