According to research by PruHealth a staggering 10.6 million people across the UK believe they can not afford a healthy lifestyle due to the rising cost of living, inflation on food prices and the extra cost of exercise.

The study claims 60 percent of those surveyed are not achieving a nutritionally balanced diet or adequate exercise, because healthy living is perceived as expensive.  

Record highs in food inflation are causing 22 percent of Brits to sacrifice a healthy diet in favour of saving more pennies. This is because the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables has increased over the course of the credit crunch. The research highlights that food inflation has hit 13.7 percent and a separate study by mySupermarket.co.uk warned that the cost of fruit and veg is likely to rise further. Read more: Yearly Food Bills Top £1400

Around 65 percent of us perceive healthy food as expensive, with 1 in 5 parents opting for cheaper, frozen and convenience foods instead. According to the research 1 in 8 have also admitted to buying less fruit and veg than they used to, because of food inflation. 

What’s more 32 percent of Brits believe they can not justify spending money on exercising in the current economic climate, while 14 percent say they can not afford to participate in paid-for sports even though they would like to. 

“The worry is that the progression from credit to health crunch may worsen as people reduce outgoings by buying less fruit and vegetables, and continue to believe that all exercise is expensive,” says  Katie Roswell, Marketing Director, PruHealth.

“Although it’s a time of belt-tightening for many people, there are some ways of maintaining your health and wellbeing without breaking the bank.”

According to Roswell there are a variety of cheap deals on fruit and vegetables which Brits should keep an eye out for and take full advantage of. She also claims there are cheaper ways to exercising, including a trip to your local swimming pool or by getting off the bus a stop early.

While Brits neglect a healthy diet and exercise due to financial costs the research claims 1 in 5 are still managing to schedule in a holiday, in order to escape the daily grind of everyday life. However exercise should be viewed as just as important and like holidays can also help to relieve stress and give you a break from your daily routine.

Read more: Get Toned Without Leaving The House

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