The overlooked role of nutrition in social justice – and how Think Through Nutrition is closing the gap
When we talk about social justice, we often focus on inequalities in housing, education, and healthcare. Yet, one fundamental issue remains overlooked: Nutrition.
The ability to access, afford, and utilise nutritious food is a basic human right. However, for many vulnerable communities, it remains out of reach, with profound consequences for health, opportunity, and well-being.
The reality of nutrition inequality in the UK:
According to The Food Foundation's recently published Broken Plate 2025 report:
One in five households experience food insecurity, meaning they struggle to afford or access nutritious food.
Nearly 4 million children live in food-insecure households.
The poorest fifth of UK households with children would need to spend up to 70% of their disposable income to afford a balanced diet.
Healthy whole foods cost twice as much per calorie as processed, calorie-dense options.
Food deserts—areas where fresh, nutritious food is unavailable—are most common in low-income areas, where fast food dominates.
These findings clearly highlight that poor nutrition isn’t just about food insecurity - it’s about systemic barriers that prevent people from making informed, health-promoting choices. Chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions are disproportionately concentrated in high-deprivation areas (Public Health England, 2021). Without action, these inequalities will continue to widen.
Bridging the gap: nutrition as an intervention
At Think Through Nutrition (TTN), we believe that tackling health disparities means addressing nutritional inequalities. That’s why we embed evidence-based nutrition education and practical support into existing healthcare and community services—so those most at risk have the tools and knowledge to thrive.
Case study: supporting maternal mental health through nutrition
One example of our impact is our work with the Cheshire and Merseyside Specialist Perinatal Service (CMSPS), which supports women experiencing moderate to severe mental health challenges during pregnancy and postnatally. Many of these women face significant barriers to eating well, from financial constraints to a lack of cooking confidence.
By working closely with CMSPS staff and listening to the women they support, we integrated nutrition education and practical food strategies into their care model. This helped healthcare providers have more informed discussions about food and well-being while empowering women with realistic, accessible ways to nourish themselves and their babies.
Why this work matters?
Food insecurity and poor nutrition do not exist in isolation - they are deeply connected to economic hardship, education, and access to healthcare. If we are serious about tackling social injustice, we must start recognising nutritional access as a necessity, not a privilege.
At Think Through Nutrition, we are committed to bridging this gap - through research, education, and partnerships - so that everyone, regardless of income or background, has the opportunity to eat well and thrive.
