Charlotte Varcoe
FRESH fruit and vegetable sales have increased at local supermarkets with healthy eating on the rise.
A recent survey revealed one in three Australians felt they were eating healthier foods since the pandemic began, with She’s Apples assistant manager Ryleigh Franchetto saying customer spending habits supported the claim.
Observing an uptake of healthy eating promotions on social media, Mr Franchetto said there was a benefit behind the online promotions which was reflected in sales.
“A lot of people buy plenty of fresh food and are able to spread that food throughout the week which also prevents food waste,” he said.
“It is great to have the option of fresh produce available as well because people know it hasn’t been sitting there for long, so when they put it in their fridge they know they will get as much life out of it as possible.”
Mr Franchetto said the supermarket’s homemade ready-to-go meals were also a big hit among consumers with many opting for it instead of takeaway.
“A lot of people buy these meals because they typically cannot be bothered cooking dinner after a hard day’s work,” he said.
“We have found that since we have incorporated healthy at home meals they have become very popular.
“They are also benefiting people in nutrition as well and people come in on their lunch breaks and buy them for dinner that night.”
Despite the increase in healthy eating, Mount Gambier accredited practicing dietician Nikita Wasson said there was still a large percentage of people not eating enough vegetables in their diet.
She said through her work she helped a large clientele wanting to improve their health but was unable to determine if it had increased since the pandemic.
“We need a nationwide survey that tells us if people want to improve their overall health or not,” Ms Wasson said.
“People can say they want to do it but they don’t necessarily carry through.
“Many people are not eating enough vegetables and still eat too much discretionary food and things like protein powders and diets don’t always work.”
She said within her work she helped a percentage of people who wanted to eat healthy and change their diets, yet others were sent along by their doctors as the rates of diabetes continued to grow.
“It is hard to say why that is, whether people are going to their doctors more or whether our medical tests are becoming more accurate,” she said.
“But if people want to eat healthier it is better to speak with an expert who can guide them because everyone’s situation with food is different; many people are time poor and people need individualised support.”
Ms Wasson said the best support for healthy eating habits was from health professionals and to avoid “quick fixes”.
