‘Can I afford the diet? 1988’

In 1986 the British Dietetic Association issued the Discussion Paper 'Can I Afford the Diet' which outlined the concern that Dietitians felt regarding the ability of people on low incomes to eat either a healthy or a therapeutic diet. Further to the provisions of the Social Security Act 1986, which came into effect in April 1988, evidence from costings indicates that a healthy diet for a normal person can cost half the weekly income of an individual on Income Support and that therapeutic diets, e.g. those for patients with diabetes mellitus and cystic fibrosis can cost substantially more than this.
The outcome is that individuals cannot be expected to adhere to dietary recommendations, thus endangering their health. Additional reductions in entitlements to free school meals, free milk and vitamins are also of concern and the effects of these reductions should be assessed.