Abstract

BRITOS, Sergio et al. Design of a healthy food basket and criteria for a comparative evaluation of prices and nutrient density. Diaeta [online]. 2018, vol.36, n.164, pp.20-29. ISSN 1852-7337.

Introduction: ensuring the population's accessibility to a healthy diet requires addressing the conformation and monitoring of the value of a healthy food basket and the differential prices of foods following nutritional quality. Objectives: to design a healthy food basket (HFB) consistent with the recommendations given by Argentina's dietary guidelines (GAPA). The specific objectives were to define a nutritional quality index for foods and beverages, the composition of HFB by food group, assess values, and compare the prices and nutritional quality of foods available in local markets. Methods: the methodological framework was based on GAPA and the concept of nutritional density. To define the Nutritional Density Index (NDI) of food, 9 essential nutrients (proteins, fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, Vitamins A, C and B9), 3 critical nutrients (sugars, sodium and saturated fatty acids), the starch content, and the recommended intakes of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) were considered. Specifications were prepared on quantities, variety and qualities of food for the HFB, according to the food group. The prices were registered in shops in the City Centre (CABA) and neighboring municipalities of Buenos Aires. Results: when applying the NDI to a set of 320 foods and beverages consumed by the Argentine population, they were classified into three tertiles of quality. The resulting order is consistent with the recommendations of GAPA. The value of the HFB was $ 3759.- monthly (March 2018) for the reference unit of 2000 kcal. When comparing nutrient densities and food prices, starchy vegetables, eggs and legumes are the categories with the best nutritional quality / price ratio. The foods of better nutritional quality have a price of $ 14.- per 100 kcal and those of minimum quality $ 4.5.- Discussion: the HFB and NDI are tools to guide and evaluate policies that promote a better diet quality.

Keywords : Food basket; Food price; Nutrient density; Affordability; Dietary guidelines.