Nestlé studies the eating habits of Romanians: Who decides “what we eat today” and how often? What is the use of NutriPorția in this case?
Nestlé, the largest food and beverages company in the world, constantly maintains direct contact with the consumers of its products, aiming to identify both food preferences and changes in the gastronomic and family habits of Romanians. Surveys on different topics are an effective tool in identifying these preferences and habits, such as the one related to the family decision about “what we eat today”.
Thus, the latest Nestlé survey carried out in partnership with Itsy Bitsy and Asociația Părinților Isteți among its listeners revealed that 65% of families with children decide together with the little ones what the menu of the day will look like. In 35% of families with children, the decision is made by an adult, with the children not being involved that much.
On the contrary, in almost half of the families without children, the decision about “what we eat today” is made by mutual agreement among the family members. In another 43% of families, the decision is made by only one member, and in 6% of cases the decision belongs to an extended family member, such as grandparents.
“Such statistics are useful for the correct furtherance of Nestlé’s balanced nutrition concepts, such as NutriPorția, a method that can help you prepare balanced meals for children and the whole family, considering two essential principles: variety and quantity”, says Nicoleta Tupiță, authorized dietitian and Nutrition Manager Nestlé South East Market.
On the other hand, the study carried out by Nestlé together with the market research agency Masmi, found that Romanians are used to having two main meals a day, plus a snack. Breakfast is consumed daily by 57% of adults, but still 1 in 10 Romanians does not eat breakfast. Among children, the popularity of breakfast is much higher, with 70% of those over 10 eating breakfast daily and over 80% of those under 9 eating breakfast daily as well. Dinner and lunch are consumed daily by 70% of Romanians. Families with children tend to be more organized when it comes to the timing of the main meals, while those without children have main meals later. For example, families with children have dinner between 18-20:00, complying more with the nutritional recommendations regarding mealtimes, compared to those without children who often have dinner after 21:00.
More than half of respondents try to eat a balanced meal two to five times a week, while about a quarter have a balanced lunch and/or dinner every day, and another quarter rarely have a balanced meal.
Furthermore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables does not meet the recommendations, only a little over 20% of adults and 30% of children consume 2-3 portions of vegetables or fruits per day, fruits being the more popular choice among all the age groups studied. Unfortunately, 27% of adults do not consume vegetables daily, a percentage that is also reflected in children over 10 years old, among whom 32% do not consume vegetables daily.
6 out of 10 Romanians believe that NutriPorția can help them have more nutritionally balanced meals. NutriPorția is more than a plate, it is a nutritional method that guides you to the right proportions from each food group for the main meals of the day. The plate is divided into 3 parts that guide in a way that half of the plate is filled with vegetables and greens, a quarter with protein-rich foods, and a quarter with grains/pasta/rice and other carbohydrate sources.
About Nestlé
The Nestlé group has been present in Romania since 1996, among the brands in its portfolio are NESCAFÉ, NESQUIK, Chocapic, KitKat®, Lion, JOE®, After Eight, MAGGI®, Purina, NAN®, GERBER®, Optifibre etc. In Romania, Nestlé also got involved in ecological and social responsibility initiatives. In the last 3 years, companies have planted 75,000 trees, which will contribute to achieving the goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2050.
Nestlé global initiatives:
In 2017, Nestlé took several steps to accelerate progress towards the 2030 goals, as part of actions to improve the quality of life and contribute to a better future. Among them are the consolidation of the “Nestlé for Healthier Kids” program, the expansion of the “Nestlé needs YOUth” initiative and the development of sustainable environmental performance management activities. Nestlé maintains its position as a global leader in the food and beverage industry through its portfolio of healthy products accessible to consumers. The Access To Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) Global Index assesses the world’s 25 largest food producers, focusing on their nutrition policies, practices and performance. Nestlé’s top position is recognition of its ongoing commitment to nutrition and health, as well as its commitment to help address the global challenges of obesity and undernutrition.
Nestlé for Healthier Kids
The “Nestlé for Healthier Kids” program was created to unite all Nestlé efforts that support parents and guardians to raise healthier children, from research activities and product formulation to innovative education and nutrition services for a healthy lifestyle. In Romania, these efforts are found under the umbrella of the program “And I live healthy – SETS”, initiated by the PRAIS Foundation, as well as “Traista cu Sănătate” under the guidance of the Healthy Traditions Foundation. The NutriPortion and VeggiePortion educational tools, as well as the Nestlé for Healthier Kids recipe book, are part of the company’s educational portfolio.
Nestlé needs YOUth
Nestlé’s ambition for the global youth initiative “Nestlé needs YOUth” is to help 10 million young people around the world gain access to career opportunities by 2030. This global initiative combines and coordinates all activities that support young people around world, including the efforts of the Alliance for YOUth.
Nestlé for a Waste Free World
Nestlé wants its products to be not only tastier and healthier, but also better for the environment. Nestlé’s ambition for 2030 is zero impact on the environment, focusing its efforts on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, biodiversity, and packaging management.
