National Nutritious Food Basket as a guide. Households living with low incomes struggle to pay for housing and bills and are often forced to give up healthy food choices to pay for other expenses,” said Deborah Lay, a registered dietitian and public health nutritionist with Durham Region Health Department. In addition, research shows that food insecurity poses serious health risks for individuals, including higher rates of diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and a disproportionately higher use of health care services