Big Dietetic Debate with The Food Foundation: Do you have to be wealthy to eat well?

In today’s debate episode we’ll be discussing the question, do you have to be wealthy to eat well? In the midst of the cost of living crisis we’re keen to find out more about the current state of the UK and consider the impact of rising bills and food costs on food insecurity. We’ll also touch on how we as dietitians and nutrition professionals, can help promote a healthier, more sustainable diet, that doesn’t break the bank. At the end of June, the Broken Plate Report was published which considers, amongst other things, the affordability of a healthy diet. The figures show that the most deprived fifth of the UK would need to spend a startling 50% of their disposable income on food to have a healthy diet as per the government recommendations. To discuss today’s debate question, I’m delighted to welcome two experts in the area. The author of the Broken Plate report and Policy Research Manager at The Food Foundation, Shona Goudie is here alongside the Food Foundation’s Senior Business and Investor Engagement Manager, Rebecca Tobi. Rebecca joined the Food Foundation in January 2020, leading on the Peas Please initiative which has obtained pledgers from over 100 organisations and businesses in the UK to sell and serve more vegetables. These days she manages our business and investor engagement team, with oversight of our work engaging food businesses, investors and policy-makers with the need to transition the UK towards a more sustainable and healthy food system. Rebecca is a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr, Public Health) with a background in science communication, joining the Food Foundation from the Nutrition Society. Prior to moving into public health nutrition and obtaining a MSc in Nutrition for Global Health at the London School of Hygiene and Medicine, Rebecca worked in business engagement within the marketing and tech sectors. Shona joined the Food Foundation in 2019 and has worked on a range of projects at the Food Foundation including working on policy and evidence for our high profile children’s food campaigns, and consulting on the Government-commissioned National Food Strategy, She currently leads on our dietary inequalities work and food insecurity monitoring. Shona is a Registered Associate Nutritionist with a background in biomedical science and clinical nutrition. The Food Foundation charity authored the Broken Plate Report and are on a mission to change food policy and business practice to ensure everyone across the UK can afford and access a healthy and sustainable diet. Show Notes The Broken Plate Report 2023: https://www.foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/broken-plate-2023 The Food Foundation Twitter: @Food_Foundation Shona Goudie’s Twitter: @Shona_Goudie Rebecca Tobi’s Twitter: @The_A_To_V