Food Costs of Children and Adolescents Consuming Vegetarian, Vegan or Omnivore Diets: Results of the Cross-Sectional VeChi Youth Study

Abstract

The aim was to analyse the total food costs and the impact of food groups on total food costs among vegetarian, vegan and omnivore children and adolescents in Germany. Based on three-day weighed dietary records of 6–18-year-old children and adolescents of the VeChi Youth Study, the total daily food costs and food group costs (both EUR/day, EUR/1000 kcal) of a vegetarian (n = 145 records), vegan (n = 110) and omnivore (n = 135) diet were calculated. Minimum retail prices of 1000 empirically selected foods reported in the dietary records were linked to individual food intakes. The group differences were analysed using ANCOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests. Vegans had the highest energy adjusted total food costs at 2.98 EUR/1000 kcal, vegetarians the lowest at 2.52 EUR/1000 kcal. Omnivores also had significantly higher costs than vegetarians with 2.83 EUR/1000 kcal/1000 kcal (p = 0.01), but the total costs did not differ significantly between omnivores and vegans (EUR/d and EUR/1000 kcal). Compared to vegetarians, vegans had significantly higher expenditures (EUR/day) on fruit (p = 0.0003), vegetables (p = 0.006), dairy alternatives (p = 0.0003) and legumes/nuts/seeds (p = 0.0003). Expenditure on starchy foods was significantly higher in the vegetarian or vegan than in the omnivore diet (p = 0.0003). Omnivores spent a quarter of their total food costs on animal source foods (25%), which is equivalent to the sum of food costs for legumes/nuts/seeds, dairy alternatives and meat alternatives in vegans and additionally dairy in vegetarians. The VeChi Youth Study indicated that financial constraints are not necessarily a barrier to switching to a more plant-based diet.

Revisiting fruit and vegetable determinants: Evidence from Latin America

“…Arce et al (2021) found that the acceptability of some FVs is reported to have a high influence on consumption. In this sense, price as an FV consumption barrier is likely to be hiding other determinants (Livingstone et al, 2020;Hohoff et al, 2022;Young and Stewart, 2022). Of course, price is relevant in many consumption decisions; however, in some cases, it is likely to have overstated their actual effect on consumption.…”

Vegan Diets for Children: A Narrative Review of Position Papers Published by Relevant Associations

“…For VN diets, it is often stated that the cost is high, and only individuals with higher economic status can afford to follow them. In contrast, studies on children, adolescents, and adults have shown that a VN diet can save on food costs [110,143,144].…”

“…Notably, more children on the OM diet were from families with a higher income status (81% vs. 62%) [109]. Moreover, financial limitations may not necessarily hinder the adoption of a plant-based dietary pattern [110].…”

Diet and growth of vegetarian and vegan children

“…11 As the affordability of such a plant-based food pattern is repeatedly debated, a further evaluation estimated the food costs of the three diet groups using Vegetarian and vegan Protein Grain and legumes (at the best in combination to enhance protein quality), soy (attention must be paid to a sufficient energy supply) 7 Long chain n-3 fatty acids Plant oils fortified or supplements with DHA from single cell/micoralgae oils, or single-oil-DHA-supplements (if applicable), optimise conversion by a ratio of linoleic acid and linolenic acid of 4:1 7 Calcium ‡ Tofu calcium-set, tempeh, sesame seeds and tahini, low-oxalate green leafy vegetables (kale, brokkoli, bok choy (pak choi), mustard greens, okra), certain beans, peas, lentils, almonds and calcium-enrichted beverages, 16 45 as well as calcium rich mineral water 24 highest intakes of vegetables, whole grain, legumes, nuts and milk alternatives in VN, less dairy intake in VG than in OM, 11 lowest estimated food costs in VG. 25 Desmond et al retail food prices. 25 It could be shown that the vegetarian food pattern was the least expensive compared with the omnivore and vegan diet pattern and food costs did not differ significantly between omnivores and vegans.…”

“…25 Desmond et al retail food prices. 25 It could be shown that the vegetarian food pattern was the least expensive compared with the omnivore and vegan diet pattern and food costs did not differ significantly between omnivores and vegans. 25 In Poland, Desmond et al 26 cross-sectionally examined children aged 5-10 years (63 vegetarians, 52 vegans, 72 omnivores) using anthropometry, deuterium dilution, DXA, carotid ultrasound, fasting blood samples, dietary intake and accelerometery data.…”