COMMENTARY
Diets high in fruit and vegetables are more expensive than diets high in fats and sugars

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Question

Does a diet high in fruit and vegetables cost more than a diet high in fats and sugars?

Study design

Cross-sectional study with cost analysis.

Main results

A high dietary intake of sucrose, total fat, grains and fats and sweets is cheaper than a high dietary intake of fruit, vegetables and meat (see results table). Daily dietary cost was higher for a diet high in fats and sweets, compared with a diet low in fats and sweets. However, the cost per unit energy was higher with a diet low in fat and sweet intake. By contrast, both daily dietary cost and cost per unit energy were higher with a diet high in fruit and vegetable intake compared with a diet low in fruit and vegetable intake (see results table). Every extra 100 g of fats and sweets eaten decreased diet costs by 0.05 to 0.4 Euros, whereas every extra 100 g of fruit and vegetables eaten increased diet costs by 0.18 to 0.29 Euros.

Authors’ conclusions

Fats and sweets provide dietary energy at a low cost, while fruit and vegetables provide dietary energy at a much higher cost. Diets high in fats and sugars, which are bad for our health, are more affordable than diets high in fruit and vegetables, which are good for our health. This has significant health implications, particularly for people from low socioeconomic areas.

Section snippets

Further details

Setting
General population, France; from 1988 to 1999.
Participants
837 people over the age of 18 (men: 361; women: 476; average age: 43 years).

Results table

Daily dietary cost (Euros)Cost per unit energy (Euros/MJ)
Food categoriesHighest intake quintileLowest intake quintileHighest intake quintileLowest intake quintile
Fats and sweets5.94.45.27.6
Fruit and vegetables6.04.36.75.6
Analysis
Food intake (g/day) was recorded during a dietary history interview by a trained dietician. Food costs were calculated from 57 foods recorded in the Val-de-Marne nutrient database. Alcohol, tea, coffee, water, and unusual foods (eaten by <5% of the population) were

References (0)

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Abstracted from: Drewnowski A, Darmon N, Briend A. Replacing fats and sweets with vegetables and fruits—A question of cost. Am J Pub Health 2004; 94: 1555–1559.

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