A new study has aimed to investigate how much ultra-processed food we Norwegians buy in the shop. The researchers have also tried to find out how much money we spend on various goods. The figures in the research are taken from 2019, but the results were recently published. And what they found is not very encouraging. Because what we buy the most, and spend the most money on in Norwegian grocery stores, is soda and other soft drinks. We buy this more often than both milk and cheese. – A unique insight Marie Michaelsen Bjøntegaard is a researcher on the new study. She says this was something they wanted to investigate because of the increased focus on ultra-processed food. She says that several studies show that a high intake of such food can increase the risk of a number of diseases. The researcher lists, among other things, overweight and obesity, cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer and diabetes type 2. – These are conditions that characterize the Norwegian disease picture, so from a public health perspective it was therefore interesting to have more knowledge about consumption in Norway, she says to news. In 2021, Norwegians drank an average of 142 pints each of artificial sweet brew, according to figures from the Brewery Association. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB Bjøntegaard admits that the discovery they made was perhaps not entirely expected. – We were probably quite surprised that we spend the most money on soft drinks and soft drinks. The data from the study is based on barcode data, which is representative of purchases in the largest grocery stores in Norway. – This is objective data that can give us a unique insight into our buying habits. As purchases from cross-border trade, restaurants and other specialist shops are not included, we also think that the consumption of soft drinks and soft drinks may be underestimated, says Bjøntegaard. How often do you drink soda? Every day Two to three times a week About one day a week Very rarely Show result Strong development Now, of course, the figures from this research are from 2019. But according to the Brewery and Beverage Association, sales of soft drinks have risen since the end of the pandemic. The removal of the sugar tax in 2021 has also contributed to increased sales. In an e-mail to news, the association writes the following: “Soft drinks have had a strong development in the last couple of years and so far this year there is a growth of 0.7 per cent compared to the same time last year. The proportion of sugar-free was 67.5 per cent in May this year, compared to 64.4 per cent in the same month last year.” Another person who also confirms that soda sales are booming is a grocer at Rema 1000 Sørsia in Steinkjer. – Especially at this time of year, there are many people who buy soft drinks. And the offers mean that people get quite a lot for cheap money. So it doesn’t surprise me if soft drinks are quite high on the list this year too, says Sveinung Green to news. Merchant Sveinung Green at Rema 1000 on Sørsia in Steinkjer confirms that soda sales are going very well. Photo: Julie Haugen Egge / news Without sugar Inside the shop we also meet Lea Lorvik and Anna Moe. Young people are not surprised by the amount of soda we buy. – I imagine that most people buy soft drinks when they shop in everyday life. And that you drink it with dinner, says Moe. The two girls themselves believe that their own consumption is not so bad. – I drink a little soda at weekends, so maybe one day a week or so. And then it goes into Pepsi Max, says Lorvik. And here she is not alone. For grocer Green confirms that they sell mostly soft drinks without added sugar. – That is by far the most important part. And some are also interested in buying varieties without salt content, says Sveinung Green. Lea Lorvik and Anna Moe say they drink soft drinks about one day a week. They are still not surprised that soft drinks are what we buy the most. Photo: Julie Haugen Egge / news – Disturbing Other results from the new study show that Norwegians also spend a lot of money on sweets and ultra-processed potato products. And that about half of our food budget is spent on ultra-processed food. Marit Kolby is a senior lecturer at Oslo Nye Høyskole and a researcher on the study. She believes the findings do not bode well. – The fact that soft drinks have now overtaken milk as what we buy most in the shop is disturbing. Without engaging in any form of moralism, it is completely unnecessary. Soft drinks should not be part of our everyday diet, she says. Kolby thinks it’s going the wrong way. – We know that this drink displaces other drinks such as milk and water. And perhaps especially among children. It is not a good sign that more soft drinks are now being bought than milk. The researcher believes that the health authorities must step in. – You can do a lot with, among other things, regulation, information and accessibility. And one must not think that the race is over. I wish we could soon get recognition that this ultra-processed food and drink is both a societal problem and a health problem, says Kolby. Marit Kolby is a nutritional biologist, author and researcher. She believes that economic development in society is going in the wrong direction. Photo: Sjo & Floyd, Asker
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What Norwegians buy most in the shop is soda, shows a new study – news Trøndelag
