Millions of people across the UK are missing essential nutrients despite growing awareness of healthy eating, according to new research from Arla, which is urging businesses, policymakers, retailers and health organisations to work together to close the nation’s widening nutrition gap.
Nearly one in five teenage girls (18 percent) are not getting enough calcium during critical bone-building years, while almost one in three girls aged 11–18 (29 percent) consume less iodine than recommended, according to Arla’s new Plate of the Nation report. The findings raise concerns about nutrient deficiencies during adolescence, a critical period for bone health, growth and cognitive development.
The research also highlights stark inequalities in access to healthy food. Arla said the most deprived households would need to spend around 50 percent of their disposable income to meet government dietary recommendations, rising to 70 percent for families with children. Consumers in lower-income C2DE households are also less likely to eat healthily than those in more affluent groups.
Healthy diets should be available to everyone. This research shows a nation that understands the problem but faces structural barriers – convenience, confusion, cost and taste – that make healthy eating feel harder.”
Bas Padberg, Managing Director at Arla Foods UK
Arla has responded to the findings by announcing plans to review its on-pack nutrition communication, expand nutrition education programmes and donate four million meals through food access partnerships over the next year.
Healthy eating remains out of reach
Produced in partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation, the report combines analysis of national nutrition data with a YouGov survey of 5,000 adults and 800 children. While 79 percent of respondents said healthy eating is important, only 53 percent said they eat healthily most of the time.
The findings suggest that consumers understand the importance of nutrition but struggle to act on that knowledge. Although 75 percent of adults said they know which foods are healthy, only 37 percent described eating a healthy diet as easy.
Convenience emerged as a major obstacle, with 33 percent saying unhealthy food is easier to access. Nearly a third (31 percent) cited the cost of healthier options, while 24 percent said unhealthy food tastes better. Among children, taste remains a dominant driver of food choices, with 98 percent saying they want to eat foods that taste good and 45 percent admitting their favourite foods are not healthy.
Bas Padberg, Managing Director at Arla Foods UK, said: “Healthy diets should be available to everyone. This research shows a nation that understands the problem but faces structural barriers – convenience, confusion, cost and taste – that make healthy eating feel harder. That includes the everyday moments that shape our diets – like breakfast – where small changes can make a positive difference.”
Padberg said the food industry should broaden the conversation around nutrition beyond reducing sugar, salt and fat and place greater emphasis on helping consumers understand which nutrients they need. He added that closing the nutrition gap would require collaboration between industry, government, educators, healthcare professionals and communities.
Arla commits to closing the gap
To address the challenges identified in the report, Arla will review how its packaging communicates nutritional benefits and explore ways to help shoppers better understand what nutrients they need, rather than focusing solely on what they should avoid.
The company also plans to reach 250,000 children and teenagers through school outreach programmes by the end of 2027, providing information and education about healthy, nutritious food.
Alongside these initiatives, Arla will donate four million meals through partnerships including Magic Breakfast and The Felix Project, building on existing programmes designed to improve access to nutritious food. The company said breakfast offers a key opportunity to help people improve nutrient intake and establish healthier eating habits.
Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of the British Nutrition Foundation, said: “This report highlights a growing ‘nutrition gap’ in the UK, where many people are consuming enough calories, but insufficient amounts of the nutrients needed to support good health. Poor diet is now a leading contributor to preventable ill health, particularly affecting young people and those in more disadvantaged communities.”
Hindal said closing the gap would require action across the food system, supported by clear, evidence-based information and food environments that make healthier choices easier for consumers.
Arla said it is seeking partners across the food system to support long-term action on nutrition and help build a healthier, fairer food system.