Healthy food, consumers are gradually vegetating their diet

The concept of healthy eating seems to be gradually developing in the consciousness of consumers. Although it is still abstract according to the generations, today it seems to take on more importance. Thus,healthy eating is a diet concerned with the nutritional intakes necessary to keep an individual healthy. Food is also a health issue in society. Starting in 2001, the Nutrition Health Program recommends eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day.

Fruits and vegetables have nutritional benefits thanks to their intakes of vitamins, minerals and fibre. They also have a protective effect against major chronic diseases. If vegetables were sullied by consumers, in 2019, a study by the Crédoc shows a reversal in this trend. Indeed, the results highlight a renewed appetite for fruits and vegetables. It is noticeable in both adults and children. The crisis of COVID-19, also seems to have played a game in the new food trends. It is therefore necessary to take stock of our diet. Let’s not forget the tender words of our moms who said “Eat your soup, it makes you grow”.


The benefits of a healthy diet, a awareness still mixed among generations

Fruits and vegetables are good for your health. However, over the years, this notion has often been forgotten. Yet, as a certain proverb says, eating well is the beginning of happiness. It is also a public health issue. And this issue ofhealthy eating has been undermined. Indeed, this phenomenon can be explained by the evolution of lifestyles as well as the simplification of meals.

Since the assets no longer have time to devote themselves to real meals, they often remove starters and desserts. They spend less time preparing meals. They also tend to eat less fruits and vegetables. However, the picture forhealthy eatingshould not be blackened. The actions of the SNP highlight the consumption of fruits and vegetables. They seem to bring some changes even if the health impacts are still small. Although there are changes in 2019, only 10% of children and 32% of adults meet the benchmarks set out in the National Health Nutrition Plan.

Following the study carried out by the Crédoc, it must still be said that the consumption of fruits and vegetables increases slightly. Since 2010, children consume more than 13 grams of fruit per day. For adults the increase is 20 grams. On the vegetable side, the increase is smaller but still present. In this sense, children consume an additional 3 grams per day and adults 5 grams.

On the other hand, it is important to understand the phenomenon. It should be noted that not all generations are sensitive to the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the same way. Younger generations consume 4 times less fruits and vegetables than older generations. However; the “small consumer” share between 18 and 24 has still decreased. This is due to the consumption of fruit on new occasions such as snacks or appetizers… On the other hand, for young adults between 1980 and the 2000s there is an awareness betweenfood, health and the environment. In this sense, this awareness invites the younger generations to question themselves and to consider vegetating their diet.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is a public health issue

Changes between cultural impact and health crisis

Whilethe healthy diet and consumption of fruits and vegetables is adopted differently by generations, it is also adopted unevenly in the territory. Indeed, the study carried out by the Crédoc shows that the consumption of fruits and vegetables is different between the north and the south of France. One of the reasons for this trend is the distribution of production areas. The southern part of France contains more areas of fruit production, for example. This is also due to differences in culture between regions. Indeed, each crop has a more or less varied diet.

On the other hand, while the COVID-19 crisis has had an economic impact, it has also contributed to a radical change in the way we consume. With the various confinements, curfews and restaurant closures, the possibilities of eating out have been reduced. Thus, in a context that favoured the presence of individuals in their homes with the introduction of telework, they had more time to devote to their food. The increase in homevegetable food sales proves these claims. For example, in the Bordeaux metropolitan area, the small crates, located in Talence, offer home delivery of baskets of organic and artisanal fruits and vegetables from fair trade.

In addition, the health context marks a little more environmental awareness. The latter induces a more reasoned and respectful consumption. In this sense, consumers want to consume better and the vegetation of plates is a trend that seems to be opening up more widely.

Sources:

“Trend reversal: the French are vegetating their diet”, Crédoc, Press release March 2021

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