4. Displacement of healthy foods by discretionary products
4.1 Overconsumption of discretionary foods skews the balance of the diet in Scotland, contributing to higher intakes of nutrients of public health concern and lower intakes of foods and nutrients associated with positive health outcomes.
4.2 Reducing discretionary food consumption at a population level could lower calories, fats and sugars intakes, and move the population towards the SDGs, with minimal impact on intakes on beneficial nutrients.
4.3 Data from the 2024 SHeS and the FSS DISH report show on average, adults and children in Scotland currently have diets insufficient in fruit and vegetables, oil-rich fish and dietary fibre, the lack of which is linked to an increased risk of some cancers and cardiovascular disease. This can also vary by level of deprivation, for example, adults and children living in the most deprived areas tend to have lower intakes fruit and vegetables, compared to the least deprived. Progress towards the SDGs would be supported by increasing consumption of more nutrient rich foods such as fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, beans and pulses.