Susie Burrell: Supermarkets need to help with cost of living crisis

Grocery bills have skyrocketed and supermarkets are well aware of the budget squeeze. But dietitian Susie Burrell says retail giants must do more.

Our supermarkets are working hard to offer budget friendly initiatives but there is more they can do to help Aussies eat better and keep their budget on track.

Weekly grocery bills have skyrocketed and supermarkets are well aware of the budget squeeze. They have been vocal in promoting weekly specials, 2-for-1 deals and highlighting price-fixed foods to support struggling families.

And we are grateful – let’s be honest, who doesn’t like finding their favourite chocolate bar or bikkies at half price?

Dietitian Susie Burrell at her home in Alexandria. Christian Gilles

But while the prices of processed discretionary foods such as biscuits, chocolates, cakes and pastries are slashed by up to 50 per cent regularly, it is far less common to find a 2-for-1 whole chicken deal, half-price wholegrain bread, tomatoes or fish. In fact, it has been shown unhealthy foods are discounted up to 7.5 times more than healthy, whole foods in our supermarkets, which has a profound effect on the nutritional intake of the entire population.

Supermarkets play a greater role in determining our purchases, and, ultimately, our nutritional intake than we realise through product placement, discounts and advertising. It all sways us.

Generally, we buy what we see and eat more of what is discounted and promoted. You may have noticed that the extra ice-cream from a 2-for-1 deal does not last twice as long at home.

It may mean we save money, but we also eat more calories.

Dietitian and nutritionist Susie Burrell says supermarkets need to make fresh food more affordable.

Aussies are not an overly healthy bunch and do not need encouragement to eat more biscuits, soft drink and cake.

Busy families need easy meal solutions that require minimal preparation and are nutritionally balanced, Recently we’ve welcomed short-term daily deals discounting items including fresh meat and frozen vegies.

Imagine if it was ongoing and you could pick up a healthy family meal pack of fresh vegetables and protein for $20 at the end of the day? Or if your favourite meat, bread or fish was regularly half price. Or if price fixing applied to seasonal produce knowing it could increase our intake of fruit and veg. Our grocery shop would be a lot cheaper, we would all be a lot healthier. Our supermarkets need to help make this happen.