Food cost and adherence to guidelines for healthy diets: evidence from Belgium

Background/Objectives Evidence on whether healthy diets are more expensive than less healthy diets is mixed. The relative cost of meeting healthy diet guidelines in Belgium was estimated. Subjects/Methods Data from the nationally representative food consumption survey (FCS) 2014–2015 ( n = 3146; 3–64 years) were used. Dietary data were collected through two non-consecutive 24-h recalls (records for children). Average prices for >2000 foods were retrieved from the 2014 GfK ConsumerScan panel and linked with foods consumed in the FCS. Daily costs of meeting nutritional guidelines were estimated across age and household education level groups. Results Processed meat contributed most (9.8%–14.4% dependent on age group) to the daily cost of diets. Soft drinks contributed to the daily cost more while fruits and vegetables contributed less for lower versus higher educated households. Compared to individuals not meeting any nutrient recommendations (sodium, saturated fat, free sugar, fibre), the average cost/2000 kcal was significantly higher for individuals meeting one (0.36 ± 0.11€, p = 0.001), two (0.87 ± 0.14€, p