Developing and implementing a new methodology to test the affordability of currently popular weight loss diet meal plans and healthy eating principles

Abstract

Background Weight loss diets continue to rise in popularity; however, the associated costs are seldom reported. Certain weight loss diets may be unaffordable and differ from their traditional nutrition composition to include non-conventional premium products. In contrast, healthy eating principles such as the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) and the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) place an emphasis on fresh produce and staple foods but are sometimes thought to be unaffordable. A new methodology was piloted to assess the cost of weight loss diets using seven meal plans. Methods Seven meal plans were analysed to quantify the absolute grams required of all ingredients across seven days and multiplied by the cost of the ingredient per gram to determine the total cost of each ingredient based on unit size and price. The weekly grocery shopping cost was determined through summation of all ingredients and their entire unit size to compare weekly costs. Results Weekly meal plans (absolute grams) cost between $93-193AUD. The AGHE meal plan was the least expensive and 8 Weeks to Wow was the most expensive. Weekly grocery shopping of entire units cost between $345-$625AUD, over $100AUD greater than the spending of an average Australian ($237AUD/week). Conclusions The financial feasibility for long-term sustainment of weight loss diets may be questionable for groups including low-income earners and low socioeconomic status. Further, when dietary patterns are adapted for weight loss, or followed by consumers, deviations from foundational principles tend to occur which may influence overall cost.

Eating versus sleeping: Lunchtime meals and naps relation to afternoon creativity at work

“…We further found food (lunch meal quality) and a cognitive response (cognitive depletion) tend to fluctuate every day. It is likely that individuals' perceived lunch meal quality can vary every day, probably because a food provider may vary their weekly or monthly plan (Bracci et al, 2022). A more striking finding is that within‐person variation accounted for 37.5% of the variance in cognitive depletion, which contradicts a common belief that cognitive responses are stable during a short period and take a long time to occur (Lord & Harvey, 2002).…”

Developing a Mediterranean Healthy Food Basket and an Updated Australian Healthy Food Basket Modelled on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

“…When calculating the cost contribution for each of the food groups including fruit, vegetables, grain foods, meat and alternatives, dairy foods and discretionary, certain specifications were made. Namely, tomatoes and avocadoes were allocated to the vegetable group despite their botanical classification (fruit) to align with previous research [ 22 , 40 , 41 ]. Additionally, legumes and beans contribute to both servings of vegetables and meat alternatives; however, they were allocated to vegetables in the current research [ 22 , 40 ].…”

“…Namely, tomatoes and avocadoes were allocated to the vegetable group despite their botanical classification (fruit) to align with previous research [ 22 , 40 , 41 ]. Additionally, legumes and beans contribute to both servings of vegetables and meat alternatives; however, they were allocated to vegetables in the current research [ 22 , 40 ].…”

“…Prices for items from meal plans were sourced from Coles Australia Online as per previously methodology by the authors [ 40 ] during October–November 2022 using post code 5000 (CBD, Adelaide, South Australia). Recorded prices were standard, not discount or ‘price-locked’ prices, for consistency and to accommodate for fluctuating seasonal prices.…”

Developing and Piloting a Novel Ranking System to Assess Popular Dietary Patterns and Healthy Eating Principles

“…It is thought that healthy eating is costly and unobtainable [17] despite fad diets often requiring the purchase of expensive food alternatives such as low carbohydrate replacements or protein supplements. However, research suggests that consuming a healthy diet from the five core food groups can be more affordable than fad diets [18]. The current pandemic climate has highlighted the need for research regarding the cost of dietary patterns and the relationship with food insecurity in Australia.…”