A UEA expert calls on Govt. to make fresh food more affordable
It's after a study found that eating lots of 'ultra-processed foods has been linked to poor mental health and a greater risk of dying from heart issues
A Expert in nutrition from UEA is calling on the Government to make it cheaper for people to buy fresh foods now- so there won't be added pressure on the NHS later
It's after a study found that eating lots of 'ultra-processed foods- such as ready meals- have been linked to poor mental health and a greater risk of dying from heart issues
To improve human health, researchers have encouraged strategies to be found to reduce exposure to UPFs. These are foods which are higher in salt, sugar and fat with high preservatives.
Evidence was found that a “higher UPF intake was associated with a 50% greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease, a 12% greater risk of type 2 diabetes, and a 50% greater risk of developing anxiety.”
"It’s going to cost more in the long term"
Dr Lee Hooper, an expert in nutrition, from UEA is calling on the Government to make it less expensive for people to buy fresh foods to help the NHS in the long term.
“The Government is trying to save money by not spending extra money on free school lunches or supporting fruit and vegetable intake. The trouble is it’s going to cost more in the long term as more people develop obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.”
“The Government could be taking initiative and actually making it easier for us, making the less processed foods cheaper and perhaps putting a little more tax on the more processed foods.” She did admit that this could be difficult to do with “food being expensive across the board” now.
She added we all have a role to play in improving our health and avoiding these “ultra-processed foods.”
Dr Hooper went on to say we should be “worrying more about making sure we have plenty of fruit and vegetables and a bit less about cutting down on the processed foods.”
What's the Government doing to tackle this?
The Department of Health say they’re taking a range of actions to encourage healthier eating. This includes the introduction of a new tax on soft drinks.