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Rachel V Thomas

Healthy Diet Costs Up to 25% More; One-Third of World Can't Afford It, Says UN Report

Nutritious food has become up to 25% more expensive over the past five years, leaving nearly one-third of the global population unable to afford a healthy diet, according to a new report released by the United Nations. 

The 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), estimates that a healthy diet now costs an average of US$4.28 (S$5.52) in purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per person per day.

"A healthy diet costs 25% more than it did five years ago. One-third of the global population can't afford it. The cost of a healthy diet shows where agrifood systems investments can have the greatest impact," Máximo Torero Cullen, the FAO's Chief Economist, wrote in a post on social media platform X. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/want-healthier-lungs-add-more-kale-and-spinach-to-your-plate-suggests-study-article-154955295" data-type="tilCustomLink">Want Healthier Lungs? Add More Kale And Spinach To Your Plate, Suggests Study</a>

The full report, to be presented on July 21 at the organization's headquarters in Rome, found that the cost of a healthy diet is unevenly distributed across different food groups. 

<ul><li>Staple foods, including grains and legumes, account for 13% of the total cost. </li></ul><ul><li>Animal-source foods make up nearly 30%, making them the largest cost component. </li></ul><ul><li>Fruits and vegetables contribute about 16% of the overall cost. </li></ul>

"The challenge is not to produce enough calories; it is to make nutrient-rich foods more affordable," Torero said during a press conference, as quoted by AFP.  The full report will be presented July 21 at the organization's headquarters in Rome.

He emphasized that strengthening local food production could significantly lower the cost of healthy diets. 

Torero also highlighted two major uncertainties that could further drive up global food prices: 

<ul><li>A potential disruption in fertilizer supplies if the Strait of Hormuz faces prolonged closure amid tensions involving Iran</li></ul><ul><li>The impact of a strong El Niño weather pattern, which is expected to peak toward the end of 2026. </li></ul>

<h2>Healthy Eating to Prevent Chronic Disease: One Size Doesn't Fit All </h2>

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/cyclospora-parasite-spreads-to-more-us-states-foods-to-avoid-right-now-article-154857522" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cyclospora Parasite Spreads to More US States: Foods to Avoid Right Now</a>

While eating a healthy diet is widely recommended to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, experts say there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Nutritional needs vary based on factors such as age, health status, activity level, and cultural preferences. 

According to Harvard Health, the key principles of a healthy diet include: 

<ul><li>Eating plenty of plant foods: Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds provide vitamins, minerals, fibre, and beneficial plant compounds known as phytochemicals</li></ul><ul><li>Getting enough protein: Adequate protein intake, combined with regular physical activity, helps maintain muscle strength, overall health, and independence as people age</li></ul><ul><li>Avoiding processed foods: Prioritize whole and minimally processed foods over ultra-processed products, which often contain excess sugar, unhealthy fats, sodium, and preservatives while offering fewer nutrients</li></ul><ul><li>Limiting saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium: The US Dietary Guidelines recommend keeping saturated fat and added sugar intake to less than 10% of daily calories while reducing sodium intake. </li></ul><ul><li>Focus on balance and variety: Eating a diverse range of nutrient-dense foods across all food groups helps meet nutritional needs without consuming excess calories. </li></ul>

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Nutritious food has become up to 25% more expensive over the past five years, leaving nearly one-third of the global population unable to afford a healthy diet, according to a new report released by the United Nations. The 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), estimates that a healthy diet now costs an average of US$4.28 (S$5.52) in purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per person per day. "A healthy diet costs 25% more than it did five years ago. One-third of the global population can't afford it. The cost of a healthy diet shows where agrifood systems investments can have the greatest impact," Máximo Torero Cullen, the FAO's Chief Economist, wrote in a post on social media platform X.   A healthy diet costs 25% more than it did 5 years ago. 1/3 of global population can&#39;t afford it. The cost of a healthy diet shows where agrifood systems investments can have the greatest impact. Watch the highlights before the launch on 12 July: https://t.co/w5l2PkPdav pic.twitter.com/CLqQCfOV8h&mdash; Maximo Torero (@MaximoTorero) July 15, 2026 ]]>What Are The Key Findings? Also read: Want Healthier Lungs? Add More Kale And Spinach To Your Plate, Suggests StudyThe full report, to be presented on July 21 at the organization's headquarters in Rome, found that the cost of a healthy diet is unevenly distributed across different food groups. Staple foods, including grains and legumes, account for 13% of the total cost. Animal-source foods make up nearly 30%, making them the largest cost component. Fruits and vegetables contribute about 16% of the overall cost. "The challenge is not to produce enough calories; it is to make nutrient-rich foods more affordable," Torero said during a press conference, as quoted by AFP.  The full report will be presented July 21 at the organization's headquarters in Rome.He emphasized that strengthening local food production could significantly lower the cost of healthy diets. Torero also highlighted two major uncertainties that could further drive up global food prices: A potential disruption in fertilizer supplies if the Strait of Hormuz faces prolonged closure amid tensions involving IranThe impact of a strong El Niño weather pattern, which is expected to peak toward the end of 2026. Healthy Eating to Prevent Chronic Disease: One Size Doesn't Fit All Read More: Cyclospora Parasite Spreads to More US States: Foods to Avoid Right NowWhile eating a healthy diet is widely recommended to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, experts say there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Nutritional needs vary based on factors such as age, health status, activity level, and cultural preferences. According to Harvard Health, the key principles of a healthy diet include: Eating plenty of plant foods: Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds provide vitamins, minerals, fibre, and beneficial plant compounds known as phytochemicalsGetting enough protein: Adequate protein intake, combined with regular physical activity, helps maintain muscle strength, overall health, and independence as people ageAvoiding processed foods: Prioritize whole and minimally processed foods over ultra-processed products, which often contain excess sugar, unhealthy fats, sodium, and preservatives while offering fewer nutrientsLimiting saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium: The US Dietary Guidelines recommend keeping saturated fat and added sugar intake to less than 10% of daily calories while reducing sodium intake. Focus on balance and variety: Eating a diverse range of nutrient-dense foods across all food groups helps meet nutritional needs without consuming excess calories. 

healthy diet costs up to 25% more; one-third of world can't afford it, says un report

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