Managing to eat on a low income

Considers the social, cultural and nutritional aspects of food consumption among low income families. For over a hundred years concern has been expressed about the diet of poor families. Qualitative research with 48 low income families is reported which investigated their food purchasing and consumption behaviour in order to understand their managing and coping strategies better. Rather than radically alter their diets, families adopt a cheaper imitation of conventional eating patterns. To do otherwise would entail an unacceptable risk of waste that could not be afforded. Further research is reported which indicates that families on income support cannot afford to purchase a healthy and socially acceptable diet.