One out of every five Israelis consumes at least one glass of sweet drink per day, and more than a third of the population consumes more than three servings of cakes or cookies per week.
This is according to a new analysis of the national health survey conducted by the Ministry of Health. The survey examined for the first time dietary habits in Israel - with an emphasis on processed foods such as snacks, sweet drinks and sweet and salty pastries, alongside the consumption of food recommended by the Ministry of Health.
consumption habits info,
Despite the recommendation to drink water and avoid sugary drinks, the findings show that 22% of Israelis consume more than a glass of sugary drinks a day.
The highest rate was recorded among Arab men (48%), and the lowest among Jewish women (13.4%).
37.3% of the population consumed at least three servings of sweet pastries during the week - five times higher consumption compared to the consumption of pastries and salty snacks. It also shows that the Arab population consumes twice as many pastries and salty snacks per week than the Jewish population.
These are also not recommended for consumption because they are processed foods.
More legumes than grains
Alongside these, the survey also examined the consumption of healthy food that is recommended according to the principles of the "Mediterranean diet" recommended in Israel by the Ministry of Health.
The findings show that Israelis consume more legumes than whole grains.
One in four Israelis consumes at least three or more servings of legumes (lentils, white beans, etc.) a week.
In addition, 15.7% of the population consumes three servings of whole grains (whole wheat bread or pasta, bulgul, grits, etc.) per week, while consumption is higher among Jews. Only a month and a half ago, Minister Smotrich decided to extend the tax exemption on sweetened beverages - something that hurt In one of the only effective steps the country has taken to fight the obesity epidemic.
Following the taxation of sweet drinks, its consumption decreased by 9%.
Sweet pastries, photo: Freepik
Prof. Little Keenan-Boker, director of the National Center for Disease Control at the Ministry of Health: "The reading of the data should be holistic. The recommendation of the Ministry of Health is to drink water and stick to a Mediterranean diet, which contains ingredients that are close to their origin - lots of vegetables and fruits, a small amount of meat and chicken, Legumes, whole grains and dairy products." There is room for action.
The Mediterranean diet has an important connection to life expectancy - which affects obesity and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.