Young Victorians struggling to meet the costs associated with a healthy diet

Young Victorians have been priced out of healthy food options, with many sacrificing a balanced diet in order to afford rent and a social life.

Young Victorians are faced with a cost crisis around managing a healthy diet, new research has revealed.

Young Victorians are being priced out of a healthy diet with many forced to skip meals or choose between dinner and rent, according to new research.

A study by Monash University found more than half of Victorians aged between 18-24 worried about not having enough to eat, while 60 per cent said they were “unable to eat healthy and nutritious food” — mainly due to financial reasons.

Monash’s “Young Australians Experiences of Food Insecurity” research project — with a focus on young Victorian adults — found nearly 50 per cent of participants said rising costs were a “key driver” that prevented them from having a balanced diet.

Monash engineering student Isaac Dow, 22, said after paying rent and bills he struggled to afford groceries.

“Some weeks I have to ask my parents for money to buy food,” he said.

“I am only going to the shops for the bare necessities.”

Mr Dow, who worked fewer than 10 hours a week and received Centrelink payments, said he often walked the aisles and tried to spot the cheapest food items.

“I am thinking about cost before making healthy choices,” Mr Dow said.

“It is a joke how expensive meat and eggs are, and you have to fit in vegetables

no matter what, to be healthy.

“That is hard.”

Monash engineering student Isaac Dow, 22, says after paying rent and bills he often struggles to pay for groceries. Picture: Erin Constable

Isaac Dow, 22, says it’s a battle to have a healthy diet. Picture: Erin Constable

More than half of the participants in the Monash study said they “had to skip meals” to get by, while 39 per cent said they went a whole day without eating.

Meanwhile 74 per cent said they could not eat out with friends or family due to rising costs.

Mr Dow said he avoided going out for dinner and drinks because of the cost.

“You don’t want to seem like a tight-arse, but you still have the pressure to go out with your friends,” he said.

“I will try to meet up with people later or eat before I go to save money.”

The study found those who experienced financial difficulties were “more likely” to report food insecurity — which was defined as having a limited access to adequate food.

About 16 per cent of Victorians in the 18-24 age group said they experienced food insecurity in the past year.

Other factors for food insecurity included unemployment and location, with 69 per cent of young Victorians reporting the food they wanted to buy was “not available in their suburb or town”.

It comes as the latest Foodbank Hunger Report found 3.7m Australian households experienced food insecurity in the past year — which was more than the total number of households in Melbourne and Sydney combined.

Dr Thuc Bao Huynh from Monash’s Centre for Youth Policy and Education practice said there was a “stigma” around asking for food help.

“You never want to be the person that sticks their hand up and says ‘I cant afford food’,” he said.

“Which is why I think a lot of people don’t seek help when they need it which is worrying.

“From our research the people who need support get it from their family but the issue is that not everyone has access to that … which is when other resources need to step in.

“The issue is then whether the person knows those resources are there and then overcoming that stigma to ask for help.”