KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Over nine in 10 people in Malaysia and other Asia Pacific countries desired to eat healthier breakfasts, but cited a lack of time in doing so, a survey showed.
Global nutrition company Herbalife Nutrition’s Asia Pacific Healthy Breakfast Survey 2019 revealed that Malaysians typically started their day with coffee and eggs and perceived tea to be a healthier alternative to coffee.
“The healthier breakfast option selected by consumers in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan are lacking significantly in fiber,” said Herbalife Nutrition in a statement.
“Despite the lack of widespread understanding on the ideal nutritional composition for a healthy breakfast, over eight in 10 (82 per cent) Asia Pacific consumers said that they desire to consume healthier breakfasts, with over nine in 10 consumers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam wanting to do so.
“However, the lack of time (62 per cent), amount of effort required (31 per cent) and inconvenience (31 per cent) remained as key obstacles that prevent them from doing so.”
Coffee and eggs was also the most popular breakfast in Australia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand. Hong Kong and Indonesia preferred tea and eggs, while Vietnamese generally ate coffee and bread buns for breakfast.
Herbalife Nutrition’s survey — which was conducted last March with 5,500 respondents in Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam — showed that convenience was the most important factor in the choice of breakfast at 67 per cent, followed by tastiness (47 per cent), cost-effectiveness (44 per cent), health benefits (43 per cent), and nutritional value (33 per cent).
More than half of respondents, or 51 per cent, said they prepared breakfast from scratch at home, while 22 per cent said they purchased breakfast from a nearby eatery. A total of 18 per cent said they ate processed food at home for breakfast.
On average, Asia Pacific consumers said that they consumed their typical breakfast combination about once every two days.
“Starting each day with a healthy breakfast supports metabolism, muscle health and long-term weight management. With this in mind, it is essential that consumers make informed decisions to kickstart their day with the right nutrients.
“Herbalife Nutrition offers breakfast options that provide the optimal nutrition foundation for consumers to lead healthier lives,” said Stephen Conchie, senior vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific, Herbalife Nutrition.
