Table 3 Cost of current and recommended diets and components, and diet affordability in Queensland

Food/food groups

Mean cost ± SD (A$)

Proportion of total cost (%)

Mean cost ± SD (A$)

Proportion of total cost (%)

Water, bottled

$18.14 ± 3.96

2%

$18.14 ± 3.96

3%

Fruit

$56.05 ± 6.13

7%

$79.66 ± 12.64

12%

Vegetables (& legumes)

$43.73 ± 3.79

5%

$111.82 ± 8.12

17%

Grain (cereal) foods

$45.52 ± 5.60

6%

$112.80 ± 12.43

18%

Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds & alternatives

$100.35 ± 10.62

12%

$194.82 ± 24.42

30%

Milk, yoghurt, cheese & alternatives

$50.49 ± 7.23

6%

$118.31 ± 18.57

18%

Unsaturated oils and spreads

$1.28 ± 0.17

< 1%

$8.69 ± 1.41

1%

Artificially sweetened beverages

$5.99 ± 1.22

1%

–

–

Sugar sweetened beverages

$31.96 ± 5.91

4%

–

–

Takeaway foods

$160.37 ± 33.18

20%

–

–

Alcoholic beverages

$96.56 ± 6.63

12%

–

–

All other discretionary choices

$195.71 ± 41.5

24%

–

–

Total diet

$806.15 ± 99.34

100%

$644.25 ± 66.28

100%

Healthy foods and drinks

$321.55 ± 29.16

40%

$644.25 ± 66.28

100%

Discretionary foods and drinks

$484.60 ± 71.93

60%

–

–

Income categories

Current diet affordability (% of income)

Recommended diet affordability (% of income)

Median gross household income^a

29%

23%

Indicative low disposable household income

34%

27%

Indicative low disposable household income including government supplements due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

24%

19%