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Healthy diet and regular exercise are extremely important especially for young people
According to a recent study, it is important for young people in Germany to eat healthily and exercise regularly. However, desire and reality do not always match.
The fruit and vegetable consumption of the Germans
Although a study was published recently, more and more Germans eat healthier and more often on fat, sugar and meat. On the fruit and vegetable consumption, the trend but apparently little effect. Consumption is stagnant. In a study that examined how well or poorly Germans and other Europeans live, it has even been shown that the consumption of fruit and vegetables by German citizens is very poor by international standards. Basically, a healthy diet is very important to most residents of the country, but desire and reality often do not always match.
Healthy nutrition and regular exercise is very important for young people in Germany. However, desire and reality are far from always the same. (Image: Alexander Raths / fotolia.com) Desire and reality do not always match
"Consumers increasingly want to eat a more balanced diet," said Christoph Minhoff, CEO of the Federal Association of the German Food Industry e.V. (BVE), summarizing the results of the new joint study with GfK, the Consumers' Choice '17.
"Desire and reality do not quite fit together, but every second person knows nothing about the keyword 'healthy eating'. We must close this gap with education, "said Minhoff in a statement.
The study titled "In Search of New Nutritional Patterns. The combination of pleasure, health and community in an accelerated world "was presented on Friday at the General Food and Beverage Exhibition (Anuga) in Cologne.
It examines which nutritional trends are permanently established on the market and how food manufacturers react to these trends.
Healthy eating and exercise is important to young consumers
Every third person regularly does sports and buys at least one protein product per year. The positive relationship between sports and nutrition for health is increasingly solidifying in the consciousness of consumers.
Protein products are the growth segment of the year, the demand is above average among young and fitness-oriented consumers (almost every second buys here).
The boys also drive other trends like gluten-free, zero or lactose-free. However, consumers' ignorance of the subject of healthy nutrition is astonishingly high and 54 percent say they are not familiar with it.
Consumers want fresh products
Lots of nature and as fresh as possible, across all generations, these characteristics make food authentic for the consumer.
In the last ten years, the freshness orientation of German households has increased by 44 percent, so today almost every second (46 percent) prefers food from the fresh assortment as opposed to canned food.
Quality and sustainability
The quality and sustainability orientation of consumers is increasing. In addition to the taste and understanding of values but also determines the nutritional habits of the current food supply.
Trend-conscious consumers want to eat self-determined. Trends such as organic, gourmet or convenience have become established and continue to grow.
The highest growth rates today are the product trends protein (62.2 percent), soya (21.3 percent) and veggie (18.1 percent). The new product trends do not displace the old ones, but build on them.
All trends have in common the focus on a healthy diet. However, the open-mindedness of consumers knows limits, as extreme nutritional trends such as paleo, vegan, insect foods or in-vitro meat have almost no acceptance among consumers, according to the statement.
Little time to cook for yourself
A fast-paced everyday life leaves many consumers little time to deal with nutrition, food or even cooking. Over the last four years, the number of consumers who traditionally cook every day has fallen by a good six percent.
On the other hand, the number of consumers eating or snacking on the go, and those who occasionally cook for quality, is on the rise. These consumers are found especially in the younger trend-affine generations.
Not surprising that these also drive the use of digital (cooking) convenience. Whether smart kitchen appliances, digital cooking apps or shopping helpers, 23 percent of consumers are open-minded here. (Ad)