Least Healthy Products Most Popular at Supermarket

Thursday, August 16th 2007

• Tweet

Some of the most popular products sold in New Zealand supermarkets are the least healthy, an Auckland University study has revealed.

Researchers found full-fat milk, white bread, full-sugar soft drinks, butter and sweet biscuits proved the most popular choices within their food groups.

Soft drinks featured six times in the top 30 products, and two sizes of cola drinks were among the top 10.

Data on the top-selling 3000 food and non-alcoholic products bought by 882 customers who shopped regularly at a Wellington supermarket were gathered over a one year period where 73 per cent of the customers were female with a mean age of 38.

The paper was published in the international journal Public Health Nutrition.

Reducing diet-related disease is a priority worldwide, says the paper, while improving nutrition is an objective of New Zealand's national nutrition strategy.

Supermarket sales did not, however, necessarily reflect total household diet with New Zealanders spending a quarter of their food budget on restaurant and cafe meals and takeaway foods.

NZ Herald 16th August 2007

 

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

• Tweet