A Full Plate: A look at the nutritional state of the nation

Singaporeans have differing opinions about what a balanced meal is

recognise a balanced meal is key to a healthy diet


Less than

understood that a balanced meal contains fruit, vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates

Health and nutrition is very important to Singaporeans – 68% choose products based on whether they are better for health, and 83% recognise that a balanced meal is key to a healthy diet.

Yet many Singaporeans we surveyed have differing opinions on what exactly a balanced meal comprises.

Out of all our study’s respondents, less than one in four understood that it contains fruits and vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates – the Health Promotion Board’s description of a healthy plate.

recognise a balanced meal is key to a healthy diet


Less than

understood that a balanced meal contains fruit, vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates


Parents find it challenging to balance nutrition and satisfy kids’ stomachs

of parents said that taste is the deciding factor on what makes a good meal


agreed or strongly agreed that getting their children to eat enough food, or not be picky is their biggest concern

There is tension in parents’ minds between the need to provide nutrition for their children, and the need to satisfy their kids’ desire for tasty and filling food.

As many as 71% of parents said that taste “is the deciding factor on what makes a good meal”, while 70% agreed or strongly agreed that getting their children to eat enough food, or not be picky is their biggest concern.

Essentially, there is a negotiation of wills between what parents want their children to eat, and what their children would willingly eat.

of parents said that taste is the deciding factor on what makes a good meal


agreed or strongly agreed that getting their children to eat enough food, or not be picky is their biggest concern


Fresh frozen food is increasingly viewed as a good source of nutrition

of parents agreed that fresh frozen food is a good source of nutrition


of parents said they had increased their consumption of fresh frozen food in the past year

Our study suggests that Singaporeans today have less misconceptions surrounding the nutritional value of fresh frozen food.

Findings reveal that fresh frozen food is increasingly viewed as a good source of nutrition – a perception validated by academic studies.

55% of parents agreed that fresh frozen food can be a good source of nutrition, and 52% of parents said that they had increased such consumption in the past year.

of parents agreed that fresh frozen food is a good source of nutrition


of parents said they had increased their consumption of fresh frozen food in the past year


While the findings from this study indicate that Singaporeans are on the right track with prioritising health and nutrition, it also highlights areas where more can be done across the food continuum, especially by providers of food and daily essentials like FairPrice Group, to support consumers on this journey.

Making sure loved ones have access to nutritious meals can be a challenge for those in need.

Find out more about how FairPrice Group rallied the community to support their neighbours in need with A Full Plate: Singapore’s largest food donation drive.

FairPrice Foundation is championing Start Strong, Stay Strong, Singapore’s first preschool nutrition and sustainability education programme, developed in partnership with Terra SG and My First Skool by NTUC First Campus, and supported by nutrition knowledge partner, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The programme is designed to educate children and their families to make informed food choices that are better for their health, and for the planet.

Starting October 2024 and continuing through March 2025, CHAS Orange card holders will enjoy a 3% discount on all purchases every Friday at any FairPrice store.

FairPrice Group unites Singaporeans with the nation’s largest food donation drive to improve nutrition access for the underprivileged


FairPrice Group and FairPrice Foundation launch Start Strong, Stay Strong: Singapore’s first preschool nutrition and sustainability education initiative