Diet costs weighed up

DIET trends can cost more than your waistline and leave a hefty hole in your hip pocket.

Costs of cutting your calories can vary by up to $300 a week, say UniSA researchers who evaluated the affordability of popular diets, comparing them with the recommendations of the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Mediterranean diet.

The most cost-effective diet was modelled on the AGHE and adapted for weight loss through calorie restriction.

The most expensive typically restricted food groups and included organic produce, protein supplements, low-carbohydrate replacements and high protein bread.