Socio-economic disadvantage is associated with a higher risk of chronic disease⁽Reference James, Nelson and Ralph¹⁾. This factor underpins the necessity to ensure that key population-based preventive strategies, such as healthy eating, are affordable. The purpose of the present paper is to examine the cost of healthy eating in Ireland and the implications for those receiving Social Welfare Allowances.

‘Healthy eating’ was defined according to well-established quantitative nutrient goals⁽²⁾. Based on these goals, eighty-eight daily food patterns were developed to meet the energy requirements of twenty-two individuals representing males and females within four age-groups (5–13, 14–18, 19–50 and ≥51 years). These food intake patterns were used to develop population-based food guidance on healthy eating for those aged >5 years in Ireland. Data from the Central Statistics Office was used to describe the composition of the four most typical households in Ireland⁽³⁾. Using the daily food patterns developed for healthy eating, the weekly food requirements of these households were priced in three different grocery store chain outlets to determine the range of overall cost of healthy eating. Shown in the Table are the percentages of the minimum and maximum weekly cost (described for six food groups) according to Social Welfare (Department of Social and Family Affairs, personal communication) income for four typical households in Ireland.

* Two adults with two children (male adult, female adult, male aged 16 years and 5-year-old child). †Two adults without children (adult male and adult female aged 19–50 years). ‡Elderly adult (female living alone aged 60 years). §Single adult with one child (female adult aged 19–50 years and male child aged 5 years).

The cost of healthy eating for typical households in Ireland ranges from a minimum of 13–31% and a maximum of 25–70% of the Social Welfare Allowance depending on which grocery store is used. The cost of healthy eating for households with children represents the largest percentage of the Social Welfare Allowance. This Allowance must cover all other living expenses including rent and utilities, making healthy eating less attainable for families with children, particularly those with teenagers. Fruit and vegetables and meat, fish and alternatives were found to be the most expensive food items. This finding indicates that the biggest challenges for healthy eating among low-income families may relate to achieving recommended intakes of these foods in particular.

Measures to provide for the expense of healthy eating are necessary for families depending on the Social Welfare Allowance in Ireland. Special provisions should be made for families with older children and teenagers. This provision could include schemes to provide foods from the meat group and fruit and vegetables.