Are habitual diets more expensive than recommended healthy diets?

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a study comparing diets in Greater Brisbane, the average habitual diet was 18.4% more expensive than the recommended healthy diet in 2022. This challenges the common misconception that healthy eating is always more expensive than habitual dietary patterns.

Quick Summary

This article debunks the myth that healthy eating is more costly than a habitual diet. While some healthy items cost more upfront, the overall habitual diet often exceeds healthy eating budgets due to discretionary items and long-term health costs.

Key Points

Habitual Diets are Often More Expensive: Studies show that habitual diets, when factoring in discretionary items like alcohol and takeaway, are frequently more costly than following recommended healthy eating guidelines.
Long-Term Health Costs Matter More: The financial burden of diet-related chronic illnesses makes unhealthy diets vastly more expensive over a lifetime, outweighing any potential short-term food cost savings.
Metric of Measurement is Key: While processed junk food is often cheaper per calorie, healthy, whole foods can be less expensive per portion or gram, especially when planned wisely.
Budget-Friendly Healthy Eating is Possible: Strategic approaches like meal planning, buying in bulk, choosing in-season produce, and relying on frozen/canned items can make a healthy diet affordable.
Discretionary Spending Drives Up Costs: High spending on expensive, non-essential foods and drinks is a primary reason why many habitual diets have a higher total cost than a structured healthy plan.

The True Cost of Your Current Diet

Many people believe that maintaining a healthy diet is expensive compared to a diet of processed foods. However, this view often overlooks overall weekly food spending and the substantial long-term health costs associated with poor diets. When these factors are considered, habitual, unhealthy diets frequently become the more expensive option.

The Impact of Discretionary Spending

Spending on discretionary items significantly increases the cost of habitual diets. In 2022, nearly 58% of the total cost of a habitual diet in an Australian study was attributed to discretionary foods and drinks like takeaway and sugary beverages. This spending alone can exceed the entire cost of a recommended healthy food plan. Redirecting this budget towards staple ingredients such as whole grains, legumes, and in-season produce can considerably lower total weekly food expenses.

The Long-Term Economic Burden

The most substantial financial difference between habitual and healthy diets is seen in long-term health costs. Unhealthy eating is a major risk factor for chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. These conditions result in immense individual costs through medical bills and lost income, and societal costs via healthcare expenditures. A 2013 analysis estimated annual economic benefits of healthy eating in the U.S. at over $114 billion (in 2012 dollars) from medical savings and increased productivity related to reduced diet-related conditions. A healthy diet is a lifelong investment with significant financial returns.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Diet Costs

Comparing the short-term and long-term costs of different diets is crucial for a complete understanding:


Feature	Habitual (Less Healthy) Diet	Recommended (Healthy) Diet
Short-Term Cost (e.g., Weekly)	Often higher due to discretionary items like takeaways, alcohol, and processed snacks.	Can be lower or comparable with strategic shopping, meal planning, and home cooking.
Cost per Calorie	Typically lower, as processed foods are energy-dense but nutrient-poor.	Typically higher, as whole foods are nutrient-dense but may have fewer calories.
Cost per Gram/Portion	Can be higher, particularly with expensive restaurant meals or packaged snacks.	Often less expensive when staples and in-season produce are utilized.
Time Cost	Can be low if relying heavily on convenience or fast food, but home cooking requires an investment of time.	Requires time for meal planning, shopping, and preparation, which some perceive as a barrier.
Long-Term Financial Cost	Extremely high due to medical expenses, lost productivity, and potentially reduced lifespan related to chronic diseases.	Substantially lower due to reduced risk of chronic illness and associated healthcare costs.

How to Achieve a Recommended Healthy Diet on a Budget

Eating a healthy diet doesn't have to be expensive. Budget-friendly strategies include:

Buy in Bulk: Non-perishables like dried beans, lentils, whole grains, and frozen vegetables are cost-effective in bulk.
Plan Your Meals: Weekly meal planning and shopping lists prevent impulse buys and reduce food waste.
Embrace Home Cooking: Cooking from scratch is generally cheaper than eating out or buying pre-prepared meals.
Choose In-Season and Local Produce: Seasonal produce and items from local markets are often cheaper.
Utilize Frozen and Canned Goods: Frozen or canned fruits and vegetables are budget-friendly and nutritious alternatives.
Minimize Food Waste: Using leftovers and proper storage saves money.
Cook for Multiple Meals: Batch cooking saves both time and money.

Conclusion: Making the Financially Sound Choice

The idea that healthy diets are more expensive than habitual ones is often a misconception based on limited cost comparisons. While processed foods may be cheaper per calorie, the overall expense of habitual diets, including discretionary items, is often higher. More significantly, the long-term financial burden of diet-related chronic diseases makes habitual diets considerably more costly over a lifetime. By prioritizing whole foods, cooking at home, and using smart shopping techniques, a healthy diet is both achievable and a financially responsible choice for future well-being. For more details on global diet costs, refer to annual reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, cooking meals at home from scratch using basic ingredients is almost always cheaper than buying pre-prepared takeaway or restaurant food. The cost of a single takeaway meal can often cover ingredients for several home-cooked portions.

While cooking healthy food requires some time investment, strategies like meal prepping (cooking large batches at once) can make it very time-efficient. The time saved from reduced illness and increased energy from a healthy diet can also be significant in the long run.

To make fresh produce more affordable, consider buying in-season produce, shopping at local farmers' markets, and utilizing sales or discounts. Frozen or canned fruits and vegetables are also budget-friendly options that retain most of their nutritional value.

Yes, frozen fruits and vegetables are often just as, if not more, nutritious than fresh produce. They are typically frozen at the peak of ripeness, which locks in their nutrients. They also have a longer shelf life and are a cost-effective choice.

Start by identifying your most expensive unhealthy habits, like daily coffee shop visits or frequent takeaway orders. Budget for those items and gradually replace them with healthier, homemade alternatives. Meal planning can help prevent the impulsive decisions that lead to expensive, unhealthy food choices.

Budget-friendly protein sources include dried or canned beans, lentils, eggs, peanut butter, and cheaper cuts of meat or poultry. These can form the base of numerous inexpensive and nutritious meals.

Absolutely. By reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, a healthy diet can lead to significant long-term savings on medical expenses, prescription drugs, and hospital visits.