Rating foods on nutrition and cost

It has been repeatedly suggested that a diet that is high in nutrient-dense, calorie-poor foods, such as fruit and vegetables, can be more expensive to eat than one that is high in nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods, such as fatty snacks. Drewnowski’s Affordable Nutrition Index aims to address this concern by producing a ‘nutrition-value-per-dollar’ score for a range of foods. Dark colored vegetables, oranges, bananas and reduced-sodium vegetable soups came at the top of the scale.

Drewnowski, of the University of Washington, said: "In today’s economy, more people are making food choices based solely on cost, so it’s important to guide them on ways to get nutritious options without hurting their wallets. It is important to identify a wide range of affordable, nutritious choices that can help people build a balanced diet that fits their lifestyle and budget."​

The index score for each food takes into account the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as well as nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E) – and those to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium).

Drewnowski said that while nutrition and cost are often considered separately, the government should consider a more closely integrated view to reflect the way that people actually make food choices.

"The obesity epidemic in this country has the potential to get even worse if people are unable to find nutritious choices they can afford and that also fit with their lifestyle,"​ he said.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years with the next version due to be released in 2010. Drewnowski, who is working on its development, said: "I’m hoping the Dietary Guidelines set to be released in 2010 will include the importance of affordable nutrition in its recommendations."​

He added: "Ease, familiarity and enjoyment are critical to developing lifelong habits. If nutrition and health professionals can get people to include affordable, nutritious and convenient foods as part of a balanced diet, we have moved them a step in the right direction toward healthful eating.”​

Drewnowski’s research was sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company.

Apart from their reduced-sodium soups, other foods that ranked highly included peas, string beans, squash, lettuce, various berries, grapes, nectarines, and apples.