Coronavirus and lockdown have changed not only the movement and purchase habits in supermarkets but also the eating habits of Greeks, a survey has found. A public survey by the Consumer Goods Retail Research Institute (IELKA was conducted among 1,050 people between March 25-27 March, two days after the lockdown was imposed on March 23.
Greeks cook more abut they also eat more unhealthy. At the same time, they make purchases at supermarkets not only for them but also for those belonging to vulnerable groups like parents, relatives and neighbors.
4 in 10 consumers buy products for others than for their own household only.
39% said that they buy items for other relatives, such as parents in order to protect them from exposure to contamination risk.
8% say they buy for other third parties such as neighbors.
Reasons to visit a supermarket have also been drastically affected. Compared to the results of IELKA’s survey in December 2019, almost all secondary visit reasons are reduced: for offers -27%, for fun -22%, for ready-to-eat meals -8% and for food to be consumed on the same day -9%.
On the other hand, the most “long-term” option of weekly purchases / supplies increases from 74% to 85%, and the most “extraordinary” option of missing a product from 46% to 57%. The last two reasons for visiting are now the main reasons for leaving the supermarket with the highest rates.
In contrast, increased in the “long-term” option of weekly purchases from 74% to 85% as well as the “extraordinary visit to supermarket due to shortage/absence of some product from 46% o 57%. These options are the main reasons to go to a supermarket.
More unhealthy eating
The survey showed the first signs of changes in cooking and eating habits.
49% of respondents said that they cook more, while 29% said that they cook less, an increase of 44% from the previous week. This development is expected due to the decline in the catering market.
Although, in general, an increase in cooking is associated with healthier eating habits, this is not reflected in the survey data.
Only 23% said that they are eating healthier than before the coronavirus crisis, down from 34% on the previous survey.
This trend is attributed to the long stay of consumers at home, which increases the number of meals, the consumption of calories and sugar, combined with reduced physical activity.
Easter Lent
Significant changes are observed in the Lent diet before Easter on April 19, 2020.
27% of respondents said that they will not keep the Lent this year against 24% in previous years.
14% said that they will keep the Lent only on specific days, compared to 12% in previous years.
52% said that they will fast on Good Week against 54% in previous years and 8% on all fasts versus 10% in previous years. Average fasting days are therefore expected to be reduced by 13% from 8.3 days in the previous year to 7.2 in 2020.
The largest difference is recorded in the age group of 56-65 years.
And you? How has the lockdown affected your eating habits?
Loading ...PS Being in self-isolation on the 17. day, I’m afraid carbs, chocolate and pasta will soon start coming out of my ears. However, at least one meal per day is healthy with protein, salad and carbs (of course, as I am the carbs type.
Sinister dish: Pasta Double Cheese; yet there was lots of healthy tomato sugo underneath
In the last 17 days I have eaten so much pasta as in my whole previous normal life.
Thank you for your fun and personally revealing article! It made it special! We eat about what you’ve been eating but call it by a more ‘fashionable’ term … “The Mediterranean Diet” … 🙂 …
sure, healthy Med diet with lots of bread dipped in olive oil 🙂
I think my diet may have improved slightly; This is mainly due to getting less take away food as I do not know if these outlets are following hygiene guidelines. Furthermore as I am unable to work I have more time to think about and plan meals. Boredom eating combined with lower levels of activity is a danger so I avoid buying so many snacks and try to stick to a regular meal plan. It isn’t easy so I’m sure to fail sometimes but I can try to be good.
Interesting article! I was actually so scared in the first 3 weeks of being locked inside that I ate more vegetables and fruits than I ever did before, and so did my kids. We also baked our own bread as we did not like the supermarket bread that was delivered. I don’t order any sweets or candy and I am still scared to visit the stores. This does not mean we are not getting heavier. Although I work and home-school, there is still more time to eat, sit longer at the table and to enjoy the food more thus we are eating more, and we are getting bigger….
I will not pass into the exit door when the whole thing is over.