According to a new study, UniSA researchers have evaluated the affordability of popular diets, compared to the suggestions in the Australian Guide to Health Eating (AGHE) and the Mediterranean diet. 300 a week.
The study is published in the journal ‘University of South Australia’. The study showed that the most cost-effective diet was modeled from the AGHE and modified for weight loss through calorie restriction. This meal plan included all five major food groups and a range of affordable staples such as bread, pasta and legumes, as well as smaller amounts of animal products. The most expensive diet plans tended to restrict multiple food groups and included premium products such as organics, protein supplements, low-carb replacements, and high-protein breads.
In Australia, more than 2.5 million Australians had tried a diet to lose weight. Lead researcher associate professor Karen Murphy said it is important to understand the costs of weight loss programs, especially when people are dealing with financial difficulties and limited access to fresh produce amid COVID-19 and current flooding. “In Australia, approximately 12.5 million adults are overweight or obese. That’s two in three adults, or 67 percent of our adult population,” said Prof. Karen Murphy of Assoc.
“Not surprisingly, interest in weight loss diets continues to grow, but the associated costs of these programs are very rarely reported,” he continued. “In our research, we assessed the weekly cost of seven different meal plans and found that weekly grocery shopping for whole product units costs between $345 and $625, which is significantly higher than what the average Australian spends on groceries each week,” he added. ready.
It is important to understand the costs behind dieting offerings, as the financial feasibility of following these programs for certain people, including those on low incomes, may be questionable. In addition, there is often a misconception that consuming a healthy diet consisting of the five major food groups, such as the AGHE, is too expensive, which it really isn’t.
The study found that some of the more expensive diets take up as much as 13 percent of disposable income. In addition to costs, UniSA doctoral student Ella Bracci said diet is also key to starting a new diet. It doesn’t matter if you choose keto or carb-free, weight loss is always linked to calorie intake — if you reduce the number of calories you consume, you will lose weight,” Bracci said.
“Some diets purposely restrict certain food groups — such as bread and pasta — to help change unhealthy habits. But it’s also important to realize that the restrictive patterns of some diets can create an unhealthy relationship with food and put you at risk for nutritional deficiencies. if followed without the guidance of a qualified nutritionist or dietitian,” he continued.
Healthy eating principles, such as those in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE) and the Mediterranean diet, emphasize fresh produce and staple foods. While there’s a misconception that these can cost more, eating a healthy diet doesn’t have to break the bank. Shop for specials and discounts, buy seasonal or frozen, dried and canned products, choose private label or non-premium products where possible, and buy in bulk where necessary. Weigh your options wisely and you can reduce your waistline without cutting your bottom line.
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