People using prepayment energy meters, who typically pay more for their energy use, tend to eat less fruit and vegetables. This is according to the findings of a study by academics of the Universities of East Anglia (UAE), Reading in the UK and the University of Macedonia in Greece.
Referred to as the 'heat-or-eat' dilemma, a trade off people face between paying for food or heating. Researchers found a strong link between those paying more for energy and lower consumption of fruit and vegetables. On average the eat three fewer portions of fresh produce a week compared to people who use other payment methods like direct debit.
The study published in the Social Science & Medicine journal suggests support for prepayment users that will have a positive effect on people's fruit and vegetable consumption.