ATHENS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Greek citizens' dietary behavior changed during the debt crisis, according to a survey released on Tuesday here on the occasion of the World Food Day marked on Oct. 16.
Greeks cut back on their spending on food products by 21 percent since 2010, according to the survey carried out by the Greek Research Institute of Retail Consumer Goods (IELKA).
As the average household lost one quarter of its income during the past eight years due to unemployment, recession, cuts on salaries, pensions and tax hikes, Greek consumers replaced expensive products with cheaper options.
In the proteins category, the sales of legumes increased by 10 percent and of chicken by 9 percent. On the other hand, the sales of beef and lamb declined by 24 percent and 25 percent respectively.
The changes in eating habits were received with mixed feelings by nutritionists. They welcomed the reduction in the consumption of sugar and soft drinks by 44 percent and 42 percent. In the same time they raised the alarm regarding the reduction in spending on fruits and vegetables by 23 percent and 20 percent, on milk by 14 percent, on cheese by 24 percent and on olive oil by 18 percent.
Four in ten Greeks said that they changed their diet in 2017. The 56 percent said they are choosing food products based on their nutritional value.
