RECESSION STOPPING HEALTHY EATING

BBC NEWS it seems that the credit crunch is making a quarter of us put healthy eating to the back of our minds.

Which found 24% of UK adults feel healthier eating is now less important, with 56% saying price has overtaken as a priority when choosing food.

And the poll of 2,102 showed 76% think the government needs to take action to make choosing healthier options easier.

Although most of us want to eat more healthily, the current economic climate is a barrier to our good intentions, says Which.

Nearly three in five said they would buy more fruit and vegetables if they were cheaper.


Rates of obesity and diet-related disease continue to rise, with around a quarter of the UK population now obese.

Based on current trends, almost 60% of the UK population will be obese by 2050.

In the meantime, there are things people can do to help themselves through these hard financial times, such as making meals from scratch and buy fruits and vegetables that are in season - things that should make food shopping bills more affordable.

The other side of the coin: - The British Retail Consortium said Which? was wrong to say price was a barrier to eating well.

Spokesman Andrew Opie said: "Which? is actually discouraging customers from exploring healthy eating choices by pushing the myth that fresh fruit and vegetables are expensive.

Customers should look beyond scare headlines, get into supermarkets and see just how affordable good fresh food is."

He said retailers and manufacturers had worked hard to make food more healthy and affordable.

So why is the rate of inflation 12% on food?

“Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner.” Sophia Loren

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