Over the years, Singaporeans have become increasingly mindful of their eating habits, driven by a growing awareness on the importance of keeping healthy and greater access to nutrition information. To understand more about Singaporeans’ dietary habits and gauge how important healthy eating is to them, RySense surveyed 1049 respondents from our online panel, HappyDot.sg, in June 2024. These are our key findings.
Most describe themselves as balanced eaters, though differences exist across age groups
When asked to describe their current eating habits, respondents across all age groups identified themselves as balanced eaters. Only the 15-19 year olds defined themselves as snackers, those in their 30s and 40s prioritise convenience and those aged 50 and above are more health-conscious (Figure 1).
Of all the meals of the day, dinner is most frequently eaten by Singaporeans
In fast-paced, food-loving Singapore, which meals do Singaporeans consume on a daily basis? Dinner is the most frequently eaten meal, with 86% of Singaporeans consuming it. Breakfast, often considered the most important meal of the day, is consumed by only 62% of Singaporeans. Only 10% consume supper in a nation with many 24-hour F&B outlets (Figure 2).
91% eat out at least once a week
The high incidence of Singaporeans eating out is not surprising, given that our island is a foodie’s paradise. 20% eat out every day, 40% eat out several times a week, 31% eat out once or twice a week and only 9% usually do not eat out (Figure 3).
Health is not the top priority when it comes to choosing what to eat outside
Practical considerations (affordability, taste and convenience) rank higher than health when it comes to deciding what to eat outside (Figure 4).
Good awareness on what constitutes a balanced meal
While health may not be a top consideration when eating out, it is heartening to note that Singaporeans’ understanding of the ideal portion sizes that make up a balanced meal is close to what is recommended by the Health Promotion Board (HPB). The portion sizes they are actually consuming are also not far off from these recommendations (Figure 5).
*Reference for HPB’s recommended proportions – https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/nutrition-hub/eat-more
Our research shows that generally, Singaporeans do know how to eat healthily (Figure 5), but may choose to let other factors influence their decision when it comes to eating out (Figure 4). Also, eating priorities differ depending on life stage (Figure 1), with teenagers relishing the snacking experience, middle-aged Singaporeans valuing convenience and seniors being more health-conscious as they enter a more vulnerable phase in life. It is encouraging to see good awareness on what constitutes healthy eating; with this knowledge, each individual can strive to balance nutritious choices with personal satisfaction and the demands of modern life.
