site.btaOver 85% of Bulgarian Children Eat Breakfast Regularly, Only 5% Include Vegetables - Survey

A total of 85.6% of children in Bulgaria eat breakfast regularly, with pastries (59.%), sandwiches (55.9%) and cereals (32.7%) being the most commonly consumed foods, according to the data from the latest nationally representative survey on the eating habits of children in Bulgaria, conducted on behalf of Lidl Bulgaria, the chain said on Thursday. Only 5% of children include vegetables in their breakfast, highlighting the need for more balanced and varied food options.

According to the survey, children are interested in healthy and sustainable eating but lack specific knowledge. Some 30% of teenagers aged 14 to 18 indicated that they follow or have followed a particular diet.

The survey also shows that nearly 60% of adolescents aged between 7 and 13 years participate in shopping, most often adding confections (67.3%), chips (49.7%) and fruit and vegetables (34%) to their trolley. Older students (14-18 years) participate more actively, with 59.2% buying bread and pastries and 53.1% buying dairy products.

Children spend a significant proportion of their time at school. Some 59.4% of them buy food from stalls and shops near the educational institutions, while 25.7% bring food prepared at home. The survey revealed that 67.1% of children were satisfied with the food they consumed at school, with younger students being more satisfied compared to older ones.

The survey data also shows that younger children are more likely to consume more confections and parents often do not restrict their choices. At the same time, many of the children said that they often violate parental restrictions when they are not under direct parental control.

Parents Association Executive Director Yana Alexieva said that the organization actively supports Lidl Bulgaria’s campaign as healthy and balanced nutrition for children pays off with good health. “We take responsibility to provide parents with the knowledge and opportunities they need to choose the best for their children,” she added.