With students back at school this month, the long-standing debate over making healthy lunches more accessible to students of all backgrounds rears its head once again.
The team here at Moneyzine.co.uk have compared the cost of a stereotypical “healthy” lunch versus a stereotypically “unhealthy” lunch to find out just how much of a price difference there is between eating healthy vs unhealthy - but also considering just how much more it costs to provide a healthy diet while still meeting the calorie needs of your child.
Plus, personal finance expert, Jonathan Merry, has provided us with three expert tips for identifying affordable organic produce and healthier options wherever you’re doing your shopping.
Healthy vs Unhealthy Lunch Box Costs
We sourced examples of healthy vs unhealthy packed lunch examples from a BBC news item, with images depicting the two. From there, we compared the cost of these items from a standard UK supermarket.
Healthy Lunch Box Costs | Unhealthy Lunch Box Costs |
Carrot - £0.08 | White bread, 2 slices - £0.16 |
Banana - £0.18 | Coca-Cola (500ml) - £1.85 |
Apple - £0.65 | Wafer thin ham, 4 slices - £0.36 |
Yoghurt - £0.36 | Crisps (1 packet) - £0.32 |
Cheddar Cheese (55g) - £0.54 | Chocolate bar - £0.37 |
Bread, 2 seeded slices - £0.22 | |
Water - Free | |
Total cost for 1 lunchbox: £2.03 | Total cost for 1 lunchbox: £3.06 |
We found that a stereotypically “unhealthy” lunch box costs, on average, £1.03 more than a “healthy” lunchbox. While this might not sound like a dramatic price difference, that works out to £5.15 more per week (for students attending school 5 days per week), or £191.14 more per year (assuming a 38-week standard school term) than a healthy lunch.*
However, the key thing to note is that the “unhealthy” lunch box has a significantly higher calories content than the “healthy” lunchbox, which may be a more pressing concern for families wanting to ensure their children stay full during lunch hours.
To ensure the healthy lunchbox had the same calorie content as the unhealthy lunchbox, it’s clear that the price would increase significantly. Leaving the question - what’s really more important, eating healthy, or ensuring your child’s calorie needs are met? And, why are the two not mutually achievable for so many families?
*Costs were sourced from Tesco Online, and calculated on an individual lunch box basis. For example, we took the cost of a loaf of white bread and calculated the cost of an individual slice in order to provide a more accurate estimate.
Why is eating healthy so much more expensive?
A report from The Broken Plate earlier this year revealed that the most deprived fifth of the population would have to spend up to 50% of their disposable income on food in order to afford a “healthy” diet - a 43% increase compared to the year before.
It also highlighted that healthy foods are twice as expensive as less healthy foods. The facts are clearer: it is far more expensive to afford healthier foods than it is to get the same amount of calories from less healthy items.
Why address calories?
Comparing the cost of stereotypically healthy foods vs unhealthy is one thing - but comparing the cost of unhealthy foods and healthy foods in relation to calorie content is another.
It’s fairly obvious that an apple will be cheaper than a chocolate bar, for example. But the cost of 1,000 calories worth of apples is likely to be far higher than 1,000 calories worth of chocolate bars.
The same report mentioned above, for reference, found that the average cost of 1,000 calories worth of fruit and vegetables is almost £12 in 2023. In comparison, the same 1,000 calories worth of “unhealthy” foods with a high sugar or fat content is £5.82.
Three tips for identifying healthier, affordable options:
Jonathan Merry, resident personal finance expert at Moneyzine.co.uk, listed the following tips for sourcing healthier, affordable items when shopping.
We’ve clearly established that it’s not buying healthy foods that’s necessarily the problem: it’s buying healthy foods in enough quantities to sustain the average person’s diet.
There are ways, however, to at least supplement your diet with healthier choices without dramatically impacting your budget - the below tips are effective ways to ensure any households in the UK can at least achieve a little more balance.Jonathan Merry, Moneyzine.co.ukJonathan Merry
Shop Seasonally
Opt for fruits and vegetables that are in season. These items tend to be more abundant and less expensive, making them an affordable choice for your packed lunches.
Check out local farmers' markets or supermarket promotions to find the best deals on seasonal produce.
Opt for Brand-Own Products
Don't overlook store-brand organic products. Many supermarkets offer their own organic lines at a lower cost compared to well-known brands.
These products often meet the same quality standards and can be a budget-friendly choice for healthy ingredients.
Go For Frozen
Frozen fruits and vegetables are often just as nutritious as fresh ones and can be more cost-effective. They have a longer shelf life, reducing food waste, and can be a convenient addition to your packed lunches.
Look for frozen organic options when aiming for a balanced and budget-friendly meal plan.
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