The World Avocado Organization (WAO) has launched a range of new recipes and eating advice as a new survey shows British consumers want to make healthier food choices after the pandemic.
Of over 5,000 adults polled for the Public Health England survey, 80 per cent said they had made the decision to adopt a healthier lifestyle in 2021.
Forty-three per cent, equivalent to around 6m adults, said they feel more motivated to make changes such as eating more healthily, losing weight and exercising more.
At the same time, the government is launching a pilot scheme to encourage shoppers to buy more healthy food and save money in the process.
During lockdown, one-third of people reported snacking on unhealthy food and drinks at least once a day, a 10 per cent increase on 2020, and this is reflected in recent sales data that showed an increase of around 15 per cent in sales of take-home snack foods, including confectionery and biscuits.
To inspire consumers to make healthier food choices, the WAO has published its latest cookbook online, Avocados in Bloom, featuring over 50 original recipes, including healthier snacks such as avoioli and courgette crisps.
Avocados are also benefiting from the growing popularity of vegan and vegetarian meals, as they are rich in fats and protein like butter, eggs, or meat and loaded with healthy plant-based fatty acids and heart-healthy fibre.
Following the pandemic, the UK has entered an era of experimentation when it comes to cooking at home, with households across the UK having 136m more meals together at home each week than they were before the pandemic.
“Consumers are becoming ever more mindful, not just in the UK but around the world. They’re demanding fresh ingredients of the highest quality, especially now that the pandemic has reignited a love of cooking for so many people,” said the WAO’s CEO, Xavier Equihua.
“This trend is only going to continue, as we move towards healthier, plant-based diets for ourselves and the planet. The avocado will play a significant role in this - offering both health benefits and a delicious dairy substitute.”
