The cost of healthier and more sustainable food choices: Do plant-based consumers spend more on food?

Abstract

Plant-based diets are often promoted as healthier and more sustainable and thus as a mechanism to achieve the targets proposed to mitigate climate change and noncommunicable diseases. However, plant-based diets can be perceived as more expensive than the common omnivorous diets, when considering the expensive novel meat substitutes and also the higher costs of fruits and vegetables, whose consumption is perceived to increase. Therefore, the present study assesses the question: Do plant-based consumers spend more on food compared to omnivorous consumers? Based on primary data (n = 1040) collected through an online survey, representative of the Portuguese population, through logistic regressions, it was possible to conclude that plant-based consumers, particularly vegan, are associated with lower food expenditures compared to omnivorous consumers. In fact, plant-based consumers are shown to spend less than all other consumers assessed. Food policies aligning healthiness and sustainability with affordability can deliver a major boost for the promotion of plant-based diets and help achieve the mitigation targets proposed.

The relations among the dimensions of 3D-printed food: a case of Z and Y generations’ preferences

“…The world population, which is expected to be nine billion in 2050, has brought issues such as limited food resources, food safety, waste management and consumer habits (Pais et al , 2022; Naspetti et al , 2021; Tsai et al , 2022). New food sources can be used such as algae, grass, lupine and beet leaves with 3D food printers.…”

From Prophecy to Plate: How to Actualize a Planetary Menu for Kidney Disease Nutrition

“…It is perceived that plant-based diets are more expensive than the omnivorous diet, due to the costs of fruits, vegetables, and meat substitutes. 64 In the United States and other industrialized countries, processed, energy-dense foods are abundant, cheap and convenient whereas unprocessed healthier foods are often more expensive and less accessible in many areas, so-called “food deserts.” 39 However, a Portuguese study noted that plant-based consumers spend approximately 40% less on foods as compared with consumers following an omnivorous diet. 64 In addition, more than half of those on a vegan diet reported spending less than 5 euros per week (equivalent to $7.30 CAD) on meals eaten outside of the home, whereas only 22% of those on animal-based diets reported the same.…”

“… 64 In the United States and other industrialized countries, processed, energy-dense foods are abundant, cheap and convenient whereas unprocessed healthier foods are often more expensive and less accessible in many areas, so-called “food deserts.” 39 However, a Portuguese study noted that plant-based consumers spend approximately 40% less on foods as compared with consumers following an omnivorous diet. 64 In addition, more than half of those on a vegan diet reported spending less than 5 euros per week (equivalent to $7.30 CAD) on meals eaten outside of the home, whereas only 22% of those on animal-based diets reported the same. 64 Globally, however, the EAT-Lancet diet exceeds the per capita income of 1.58 billion people, primarily populations of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, who would be impacted should they switch to this way of eating, rather than to stay with their traditional food ways.…”

“… 64 In addition, more than half of those on a vegan diet reported spending less than 5 euros per week (equivalent to $7.30 CAD) on meals eaten outside of the home, whereas only 22% of those on animal-based diets reported the same. 64 Globally, however, the EAT-Lancet diet exceeds the per capita income of 1.58 billion people, primarily populations of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, who would be impacted should they switch to this way of eating, rather than to stay with their traditional food ways. 65 Therefore, it is important to consider that such a diet may require economic systems that support a lower cost of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and protein sources as well as offer substitutions that can either be grown locally or procured more cost-effectively in lower-income regions.…”

Segmenting the eating behaviour of university students using the K-means algorithm

“…World Health Organisation warns of diseases linked to poor diet [3]- [6]: type II diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, anaemia, and cardiovascular problems. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to food and its nutritional content, for example, the consumption of fruit and vegetables reduces the risk of developing diseases [7], [8]. Therefore, healthy eating is about eating what is necessary for good development, without deprivation or limitations, it is about having a stable state of mind, having energy, and feeling good [9].…”