The increasing cost of living in Australia is casting a dark shadow over the accessibility of healthy food for many families. Recent research has revealed an alarming trend of rising prices for essential grocery staples, including items crucial for a balanced diet, such as tinned and frozen vegetables and tinned fish.
As a nutritional psychiatry researcher, I am acutely aware of the profound impact that fresh, nutritious foods have on physical and mental health. It is crucial to acknowledge that good food not only sustains our bodies but also acts as a powerful preventive measure against mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Similarly, over consuming ultra-processed, refined and sugary foods can be detrimental to physical and mental health.
Encouraging Australians to consume fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, fermented plant foods and whole grains and drinking more water is essential for promoting good health. However, these very foods are often the ones with the heftiest price tags at the supermarket. This situation creates a glaring disparity, as some individuals and families simply cannot afford these recommended “good” foods. For those on tight budgets, alternatives like frozen and tinned foods can be equally, if not more, nutritious and accessible.
The worrisome part of this equation is that the prices of these healthy alternatives are also on the rise, putting them further out of reach for many.
A nutritious diet can act as a preventative shield against costly health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Furthermore, my research has unveiled the protective effects of nutrient-dense foods against mental health conditions, including depression, which continue to impose escalating healthcare costs.
To understand the potential benefits of a healthier diet, we need only look to the Mediterranean region. Despite spending twice as much on groceries compared to Australians, their shopping baskets are filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Remarkably, their healthcare costs are only half of what we incur in Australia. This contrast highlights the substantial economic advantages of investing in healthier food options.
However, with rising inflation costs, Australians who earn the least are feeling the pinch the most. In situations of food insecurity, individuals are more likely to opt for calorie-dense, low-cost alternatives like sugary snacks and drinks.
It is crucial to recognise that these choices are not simply a matter of personal preference but are often dictated by financial constraints. Blaming individuals and urging them to make better food choices is an oversimplification of a complex problem.
The core issue lies in a system that restricts affordable access to healthy food, particularly in vulnerable populations who need it the most.
Australians are inundated with constant advertisements promoting inexpensive, ultra-processed foods that are detrimental to health. Meanwhile, genuinely healthy options remain unaffordable for many.
To rectify this disparity, it is time for government intervention. The government should implement significant taxes on ultra-processed foods while simultaneously providing financial incentives to make healthy options more affordable.
This approach is not only about ensuring access to nutritious food for all Australians but also about supporting farmers and food producers who deserve a fair income for their efforts.
Providing a system where ultra-processed, refined and sugary foods (and advertising for these food products) are highly taxed and funnelling those taxes to farmers and fresh food producers to make fresh whole foods more affordable for everyday Australians could be the key to increasing healthier eating and reducing healthcare costs across the country.
As the cost of living continues to rise in Australia, the government must step in to safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens.
By making healthy food options more affordable and discouraging the consumption of ultra-processed foods, we can reduce the burden on our healthcare system, support our farmers, and ensure that every Australian has the opportunity to lead a healthy life. It's time for a collective effort to address this pressing issue and ensure that access to nutritious food is a fundamental right for all.
Dr Megan Lee has a PhD in Nutritional Psychiatry and is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Bond University.
