More lamb eaten, less beef

Press, 15 May 1985, Page 15

More lamb eaten, less beef

New Zealanders' consumption of beef has dropped 30 per cent since before World War 11, according to a food survey released this week.

The survey, funded by Home Style, shows that the national consumption of lamb has doubled in the same time. Veal consumption has dropped 50 per cent and New Zealanders eat 30 per cent less mutton.

Pork consumption is slightly higher and this rise is expected to increase. Further percentage decreases are predicted for the consumption of beef, mutton, veal and even lamb.

Poultry has become five times more popular since the early 1960 s with each

person eating 13kg each year. Fish consumption has remained about the same.

The supervisor of the food survey was Professor John Birkbeck, director of the New Zealand Nutrition Foundation and with the Human Nutrition Department at the University of Otago. While similar surveys were made in 1962 and 1982 the findings were not published. The survey figures show that New Zealanders are world leaders in drinking fruit juice, with 13 to 15 litres a year each. The country’s per capita consumption of dried fruit also tops the world list with 3kg a year.

Ice-cream has become more popular in New Zea-

land with about 16 litres eaten per capita, compared with 1.6 litres in 1938. Another popular dairy product is yoghurt with a rise of 42 per cent since 1978. More wholegrain bread is eaten and there is greater use of vegetable oils, including table margarine. The use of convenience foods has steadily grown with instant soup increasing 16 per cent.

Each year, New Zealanders eat 25 novelty chocolate bars each, 35 litres of carbonated drinks, and 20 per cent of their potato intake is in a processed form, such as takeaway chips and crisps. Changes in lifestyles had brought significant changes in choice of foods, Professor

Birkbeck said. “For example, 35 per cent of married women work full-time compared with 7.7 per cent in 1945,” he said. “These working women tend to spend less time preparing food in the home and buy more convenience and processed foods.” The increased consumption of processed foods was of particular concern because of the amount of salt contained in these foods, Professor Birkbeck said.

“The disturbing aspect is that the individual no longer has control over his salt intake when eating these foods,” he said. “There has been a growth in the number of fast-food chains where the menu

often provides choice of a narrow range of foods. Often fast food contains an excess of some nutrients and a lack of others.”

The New Zealand lifestyle was becoming more cosmopolitan and, as a result, pasta consumption had doubled since 1974 and more imported cheese was eaten, Professor Birkbeck said. The breakfast table includes more bran-based cereals and less porridge than in 1962. Muesli and bran cereals hardly rated a mention in a 1962 survey. Tea and coffee drinking has remained about the same as the 19605. A slight increase was noted in the use of ground coffee while the teabag has gained popularity.