A new analysis from the Food Foundation’s annual “Broken Plate” report says access to a healthy diet is significantly more expensive for people on the lowest incomes. The report estimates that the poorest families would have to spend around 85% of their disposable income to buy the food required to meet healthy dietary standards. It also finds that healthier foods cost substantially more than less healthy alternatives. According to the report, healthier food is nearly twice as expensive per calorie compared with less healthy options, which the study frames as a major barrier to healthier eating for low-income households. The findings highlight the affordability gap between healthier and less healthy foods and suggest that cost pressures can shape what families are able to buy, regardless of dietary preference. The report is presented as part of the Food Foundation’s broader work on food affordability and diet-related inequalities.