• 90% of American adults say the price of healthy food has risen in recent years, with 69% stating this makes it harder to eat healthily.
• Lower-income adults are significantly more affected, with 47% reporting difficulty in maintaining a healthy diet due to price, compared to 15% of upper-income adults.
• Taste is the most important factor in food choices for Americans (83%), overshadowing healthiness, cost, and convenience.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center has revealed that increasing food prices are a significant barrier to healthy eating for many Americans. The survey, conducted from February 24 to March 2, 2025, involved 5,123 U.S. adults and highlighted that the rising cost of healthy food is disproportionately affecting lower-income households. While taste remains the top priority for food choices, the survey underscores the broader implications of unhealthy diets on public health and healthcare costs in the United States.

• What: A Pew Research Center survey indicates that rising food prices are a major obstacle to healthy eating for Americans, especially lower-income individuals. The survey reveals that taste is the primary factor in food choices, and many Americans have unhealthy diets.
• Who: The survey focuses on U.S. adults, with specific attention to lower-income, middle-income, and upper-income households. Key individuals mentioned include Eileen Yam (Pew Research Center) and Dr. David Katz (True Health Initiative). Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is mentioned as prioritizing tackling obesity as Health and Human Services Secretary.
• When: The Pew Research Center survey was conducted from February 24 to March 2, 2025. The findings were reported in May 2025.
• Where: The study focuses on the United States and the eating habits of American adults.

The Pew Research Center's survey underscores the growing challenge of maintaining a healthy diet in the face of rising food prices. The disproportionate impact on lower-income households raises concerns about health equity and access to nutritious food. The emphasis on taste as the primary driver of food choices highlights the need for interventions that make healthy food more appealing. The high percentage of ultraprocessed foods in the American diet and its link to diet-related diseases warrants increased awareness and policy interventions to promote healthier eating habits. The findings highlight the importance of food literacy and affordable access to nutritious options.

It is a bigger challenge for the lower-income adults, but it’s not as if the middle- and upper-income Americans are completely spared. Even middle- and upper-income Americans are reporting the increased price of healthy food is making it more difficult to eat healthy.

Beans and lentils are stunningly nutritious, and very economical. Cooking grains are highly nutritious, and very economical. More dishes featuring these, and fewer featuring costly animal foods, would allow for a decisive improvement in diet quality while lowering overall cost.

The Pew Research Center's survey reveals a concerning trend in the United States, where rising food prices are hindering Americans, particularly those with lower incomes, from maintaining a healthy diet. While taste remains a dominant factor in food choices, the increasing cost of nutritious options poses a significant challenge. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach that includes promoting food literacy, ensuring affordable access to healthy foods, and encouraging dietary patterns that prioritize plant-based options.