Why do Australians Eat Unhealthy? Unpacking the Key Factors

December 18, 2025 •

3 min read

Less than 5 per cent of Australians currently meet the recommended daily intake for fruit and vegetables, pointing to significant public health issues. This raises a critical question for many: why do Australians eat unhealthy despite access to high-quality local produce?

Quick Summary

A complex mix of economic pressures, a convenience-focused culture, targeted food marketing, and unequal access to nutritious options explains Australia's unhealthy dietary trends.

Key Points

Cost of living and affordability: Rising costs, especially for fresh produce, force many Australians to opt for cheaper, processed foods.
Convenience over nutrition: Busy modern lifestyles make convenient, ultra-processed foods a frequent choice, despite their poor nutritional profile.
Socioeconomic inequality: Disadvantaged and remote communities experience higher food costs and limited access to healthy options, contributing to poorer diets.
Aggressive food marketing: Unhealthy food and beverage companies heavily target consumers, including children, making poor choices more tempting and normalizing their consumption.
Low fruit and vegetable intake: Less than 5% of Australians meet daily fruit and vegetable intake recommendations, with vegetable consumption being particularly low.
High ultra-processed food consumption: On average, ultra-processed foods make up a significant portion of Australian diets, with links to obesity and other chronic diseases.
Cultural norms: The social acceptance and popularity of certain less-healthy options, like pub meals and sugary café drinks, contribute to excess consumption.

The Rising Cost of Living and Food Choices

Rising costs, particularly for fresh produce, significantly impact Australian dietary choices. Many households, especially those on lower incomes or experiencing food insecurity, prioritize cheaper, energy-dense options over fruits and vegetables. This economic pressure can lead to replacing nutritious foods with less healthy, processed alternatives. The perception that healthy food is more expensive also contributes to these patterns.

The Allure of Convenience and Ultra-Processed Foods

Modern Australian lifestyles drive demand for convenient food, often met by ultra-processed foods (UPFs). These products are typically inexpensive, widely available, and designed to be highly appealing due to high levels of salt, sugar, and fat. Their addictive nature and low nutritional value can lead to overconsumption. UPFs constitute a significant portion of Australian diets, linked to negative health outcomes. Marketing further embeds UPFs in daily eating habits.

Socioeconomic Disparities and Unequal Food Access

Access to healthy food varies significantly across Australia, influenced by socioeconomic status and location. Regional and remote areas often face challenges including:

Higher Costs: Increased prices for groceries due to logistical challenges.
Limited Retail Options: Reduced availability and variety of fresh produce.
Food Insecurity: Severe issues in some communities, particularly remote Indigenous populations, contributing to health disparities.

These systemic issues contribute to poor dietary habits independent of individual choice.

The Pervasive Influence of Food Marketing

Aggressive marketing, particularly for unhealthy foods, strongly influences Australian food choices. Children are a primary target, exposed to advertising across various media. Current regulations are often insufficient to curb this. Unhealthy products are also heavily promoted in supermarkets through discounts and placement, making healthier options less appealing.

Comparing Australian Dietary Habits with National Recommendations

This table outlines the disparity between national dietary guidelines and typical Australian consumption patterns, highlighting areas of concern.


Feature	Australian Dietary Guideline	Typical Australian Adult Consumption	Source	Notes
Vegetable Serves	5-6 serves daily	Consistently low; 94% of adults do not meet recommendations		The shortfall is significant and widespread.
Fruit Serves	2 serves daily	Around 1.3 serves daily, with declining trends		Intake is falling, particularly among older adults.
Discretionary Food	0-3 serves daily (max)	5-7 serves daily (average)		Daily energy intake from discretionary items far exceeds recommendations.
Ultra-Processed Foods	Limited	Accounts for ~42% of daily energy		A major contributor to poor diet and chronic disease risk.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages	Limited intake	Daily consumption highest among 18-24 year olds		A primary source of added sugars in the diet.

Cultural Norms and the 'Aussie' Diet

Australia's food culture blends various influences, but certain social norms contribute to unhealthy eating. Common social meals like pub food or barbecues can be high in unhealthy components. The prevalence of cafes also contributes to the consumption of sugary drinks and treats.

Conclusion: A Systemic Challenge, Not Just Individual Choice

Unhealthy eating in Australia stems from complex factors including economic hardship, the convenience of UPFs, unequal access to nutritious options, and powerful marketing. While there are initiatives like dietary guidelines, their impact is limited. Addressing these systemic issues through better policy and equitable access is vital to improving public health.

For more comprehensive information on dietary guidelines, visit the official Australian 'Eat for Health' website at https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to reports from sources like CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, less than 5% of Australians meet the recommended daily intake for both fruit and vegetables, a key indicator of an unhealthy diet.

Yes, cost of living is a major factor. As prices rise, especially for fresh produce, many Australians turn to cheaper, more convenient ultra-processed foods to stretch their budget, leading to poorer diet quality.

Socioeconomic status heavily impacts dietary choices, with lower-income households and those in remote areas facing higher food costs and limited access to nutritious food. This contributes to higher rates of unhealthy eating and obesity in these communities.

Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations containing many additives and are low in nutrients. Australian adults derive approximately 42% of their total daily energy from these foods, which include many packaged snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food.

Aggressive marketing by companies, particularly targeting children via various media, significantly influences food preferences and purchasing behaviour. These campaigns often promote unhealthy, high-fat, high-sugar foods.

Yes, people in regional and remote areas often experience higher food costs and less choice, making it difficult to access fresh, healthy foods. This contributes to higher rates of food insecurity and poor health outcomes.

A poor diet is a leading contributor to preventable chronic diseases in Australia, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and obesity.

The Australian government has initiatives like the Health Star Rating system, the Australian Dietary Guidelines, and the Healthy Food Partnership. However, adherence to the guidelines and effectiveness of some programs have been limited.