Nils-Gerrit Wunsch
Research expert covering foods trends in North America, Europe, and the global food system
Eating behavior in Canada - statistics & facts
Facing rising food costs, an astounding 17 percent of Canadian survey participants stated that they will eat less food in 2023. In addition, Canadians are stockpiling food, and 61 percent are on the lookout for cheaper food products. In a different survey, between 55 and 65 percent of Canadians said they would eat out less. This is certainly something the food service industry will be less than happy to hear, especially after the coronavirus pandemic led to financial troubles for many restaurants. For consumers, buying cheaper brands and cutting back on meat consumption are additional measures to cope with the current situation.
Beyond food inflation, a quarter of Canadians are trying to cut back on their meat consumption, whereas a further 11 percent of Canadians completely cut meat from their diet. This group includes vegetarians (4%), pescetarians (4%), and vegans (3%). Younger consumers in Canada are much more likely to follow one of these diets than older consumers. Those between 20 to 29 years of age are about five times as likely to be vegans as 50 to 59-year-olds. However, this does not mean that younger consumers are more health-minded. In fact, older consumers are much more likely to try to eat healthily than their younger counterparts.
If taken together, dairy products and eggs comprise the largest food category in the Canadian diet. Over 122 kilograms of eggs and dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are consumed per capita. Vegetables follow closely behind at about 118 kilograms. Bread and cereal products follow in third place with 87.6 kilograms, with the per capita consumption of fruits and nuts at a similar level. On the beverage side, 69 percent of Canadian consumers regularly drink coffee, followed by juice drinkers at 53 percent. Bottled water is consumed by half of all Canadians on a regular basis.
Dietary habits in Canada
Beyond food inflation, a quarter of Canadians are trying to cut back on their meat consumption, whereas a further 11 percent of Canadians completely cut meat from their diet. This group includes vegetarians (4%), pescetarians (4%), and vegans (3%). Younger consumers in Canada are much more likely to follow one of these diets than older consumers. Those between 20 to 29 years of age are about five times as likely to be vegans as 50 to 59-year-olds. However, this does not mean that younger consumers are more health-minded. In fact, older consumers are much more likely to try to eat healthily than their younger counterparts.
What a Canadian eats and drinks
If taken together, dairy products and eggs comprise the largest food category in the Canadian diet. Over 122 kilograms of eggs and dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are consumed per capita. Vegetables follow closely behind at about 118 kilograms. Bread and cereal products follow in third place with 87.6 kilograms, with the per capita consumption of fruits and nuts at a similar level. On the beverage side, 69 percent of Canadian consumers regularly drink coffee, followed by juice drinkers at 53 percent. Bottled water is consumed by half of all Canadians on a regular basis.
