According to the Indigo Wellness Index South Africa, our nation is one of the unhealthiest in the world! That’s why Knorr says it’s time to change our plate and destiny of the nation.
On 11 March 2020, we spent a fascinating and educational morning with Knorr at the #PlateOfTheNation address, held at Victoria Yards and emceed by South Africa’s most glamorous culinary queen, Lorna Maseko. We learned more about how Knorr would like to help our country move towards a better food future by providing stakeholders – government, NGOs, industry, retailers, media and consumers – with information about how and what the nation is eating and how it impacts our health.
In line with Knorr’s purpose, and coupled with helping consumers make better food choices, Knorr commissioned Nielsen – a global measurement and data analytics company – to implement a study on Understanding the Eating Habits of the South African Population, in February 2020, among 1005 respondents aged 16 years and above.
The research objectives were multifold and included an understanding of the following:
- Composition of the South African Plate across different meal occasions, demographics and regions
- Attitudes towards food and the link to health
- Impact and access to healthy food
The results were frightening, as they showed that the South African Plate consists of mostly meat and starch with little to no other plant-based products in sight. To provide a breakdown of these statistics, the Neilsen SA study for #Knorr found South Africa’s Plate comprises 41% starch, 26% meat, 13% veg and the rest being fats, oils, dairy and legumes.
The Eatwell plate defined by the UK-based University of Cambridge and NHS is 33% veg, 32% starch, 15% dairy, 12% meat, 8% fats and oils.
Knorr says our country’s over-reliance on refined starch (like bread, rice, potatoes/sweet potatoes and pap) needs to change and dietary diversity is essential to achieve the optimal #PlateofTheNation, not only for one’s health but also to support agricultural diversity.
With 80% of SA being farmland, our country is at an advantage for producing and growing a wide range of crops sustainably. What’s more, with Knorr products as your handy flavour helpers in the kitchen, there’s no reason not to make deliciously diverse dishes!
So how does SA change its eating habits for the better? By making only small changes to your plate! Take the first step by going to http://knorr.co.za to understand the Eating Habits of the South African Population. #Knorr #PlateoftheNation
Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
