Abstract
AimA low‐carbohydrate, healthy‐fat (LCHF) dietary approach has been demonstrated as an effective strategy for improving metabolic health; however, it is often criticised for being more expensive than following a dietary approach guided by the national, Ministry of Health nutrition guidelines. This study compared the cost of these two nutritionally replete dietary approaches for one day for a family of four.MethodsIn this descriptive case study, one‐day meal plans were designed for a hypothetical family of four representing the average New Zealand (NZ) male and female weight‐stable adult and two adolescent children. National documented heights, a healthy body mass index range (18.5–25.0 kg/m2), and a 1.7‐activity factor was used to estimate total energy requirements using the Schofield equation. Total daily costs were compared based on food prices from a popular Auckland supermarket. Meal plans were analysed for their nutritional adequacy using FoodWorks 8 dietary analysis software against national Australian and NZ nutrient reference value thresholds.ResultsThe total daily costs were $43.42 (national guidelines) and $51.67 (LCHF) representing an $8.25 difference, or $2.06 per person, with the LCHF meal plan being the costlier option.ConclusionsWe consider this increased cost for an LCHF approach to be negligible. In practice, less costly food items with similar nutrition qualities can be substituted to reduce costs further should this be a goal. The LCHF approach should therefore not be disregarded as a viable dietary approach for improving health outcomes, based on its perceived expense.
Highlights
When it comes to the promotion of optimal health, prevention and management of chronic disease, we base our dietary guidance on the national Ministry of Health (MOH) food and nutrition guidelines.[1]
Food cost data were collected from shelf prices examined from a reputably inexpensive local supermarket, Pak ’n Save in Albany, Auckland, New Zealand (NZ), in October 2016.24 Food items selected for inclusion were based on the following criteria: (i) foods that we considered to be, generally, popular and acceptable, rather than any specialty or unusual food that would demand an acquired taste; (ii) lowest cost brands within a food category, apart from eggs, where free range was selected over conventional eggs, for ethical reasons; and (iii) fresh vegetables were chosen in preference over frozen except for green beans, brussel sprouts and spinach
The key finding was that in this instance, the LCHF was the costlier set of meal plans of the two amounting to an additional $8.25 per day for a family of four, or an average of $2.06 per person
Summary
When it comes to the promotion of optimal health, prevention and management of chronic disease, we base our dietary guidance on the national Ministry of Health (MOH) food and nutrition guidelines.[1] More recently, an alternate option for dietary guidance has emerged, that is a wholefood-based approach, characterised by a reduced carbohydrate, higher natural fat intake, termed low-carbohydrate, healthy-fat (LCHF).
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