Fewer Australians are drinking sweetened beverages than a decade ago, according to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS Head of Health Statistics James Eynstone-Hinkins said: “Today’s data gives us a comprehensive snapshot of Australia’s nutrition, with new insights into what we’re eating, our energy intakes and the types of diets we follow.

“For example, the proportion of people who drank sweetened beverages fell from 49.2 per cent in 1995 to 42.2 per cent in 2011–12 and then to 28.9 per cent in 2023. Nearly three in four children drank sweetened beverages in 1995. This fell to one in four children in 2023.”

Sweetened beverages are an example of ‘discretionary choices’ in our diets, which are food and drinks that are high in energy, saturated fat, salt or sugar and have low levels of essential nutrients. One third (31.3 per cent) of daily energy intake came from discretionary food and drinks in 2023, down from 35.4 per cent in 2011–12.

“The leading foods contributing to discretionary energy came from Cereal-based mixed dishes, which includes foods like takeaway burgers and pizza. This was also the most popular food group – eaten by more than half, or 52.0 per cent, of people on a typical day. 

“Cereal-based mixed dishes contributed to 19.6 per cent of protein intake, 16.8 per cent of carbohydrate intake, and 17.0 per cent of fat intake, more than any other food group,” said Mr Eynstone-Hinkins.

The survey also offers insights into other factors that influence what we eat and drink. 

Over one in eight (13.2 per cent) households experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months, including 34.0 per cent of lone parent family households and 27.8 per cent of group households.

One in four (24.9 per cent) people 15 years and over were following a diet. Among people on a diet, males were most likely to follow an energy restriction diet (34.8 per cent) and females were most likely to follow a food avoidance diet (47.1 per cent).

People may avoid consuming certain foods for a wide variety of reasons. For example, 7.1 per cent of people two years and older avoided food because of allergies and 5.3 per cent of people 15 years and over were vegetarian or vegan.

The survey also found the daily intake of:

• Free sugars made up 8.2 per cent of total energy, within the World Health Organization recommendation of less than 10 per cent
• Sodium was just under 2,400 mg, equivalent to around one teaspoon of salt
• Caffeine for adults increased from 158 mg in 2011–12 to 186 mg in 2023.

More information can be found from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey topic on the ABS website.

AFGC welcomes release of National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) welcomes the release of the latest National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS) by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an essential resource for shaping evidence-based health policy in Australia. 

This comprehensive survey, conducted between January 2023 and March 2024, collected data from people aged two years and over, providing insights into dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours. It involved participants recalling all the food and drink they consumed over a 24-hour period (on two separate days) and wearing activity monitors to record physical activity. 

AFGC Director, Nutrition and Regulation Dr Duncan Craig said: “The NNPAS is a cornerstone of public health research in Australia. Last done in 2011-12, this survey provides up to date, robust, scientific data on how people in Australia eat, move, and live.

“Importantly, it recognises nutrition and physical activity are deeply interconnected and must be considered together when developing health policy and industry initiatives.

“As an industry, we are committed to supporting people in achieving balanced diets and active lifestyles.

“The insights from this survey will guide our ongoing work with government, health professionals, and communities to improve public health outcomes. While there is still work to be done, data reveals significant positive shifts in consumer intakes over the last decade, including:

• Decreased contribution to average daily energy intake from discretionary foods to 31.3%, down from 35.4% in 2011-12.
• Free sugars made up 8.2 per cent of total energy, within the World Health Organization recommendation of less than 10 per cent and down from 11.0% in 2011–12.
• The proportion of people who drank sweetened beverages fell from 49.2 per cent in 1995 to 42.2 per cent in 2011–12 and then to 28.9 per cent in 2023.”

“The AFGC continues to support initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles, including reformulation efforts to reduce sugar, sodium, and saturated fat in foods and beverages, and efforts to help consumers make informed choices through effective labelling,” said Mr Craig.

“Food and beverage manufacturers remain committed to engaging with stakeholders to translate these findings into practical, impactful actions that benefit all people in Australia.

“These results are more than just numbers, they are a positive signal indicating that Australians are making smarter choices, and the industry stepping up to support them.”

Australian Beverages Council welcomes survey

The Australian Beverages Council Limited (ABCL), representing the nation’s dynamic non-alcoholic drinks industry, welcomes the ABS’ release of Sweetened Beverages consumption data as part of the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2023, which shows a significant decline in Australians’ consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and encouraging long-term shifts in their beverage choices towards low- and no-sugar varieties, including bottled water.  

The results show that less than three in ten Australians (28.9 per cent) reported consuming a sweetened beverage on the day of the survey, down significantly from the previous survey in 2011-12 (42.2 per cent) and in the 1995 survey (49.2 per cent).  Among children aged 2-17, the decrease has been even more significant, falling from nearly three in four consuming a sweetened beverage in 1995 to just one in four in 2023.  

Within this trend, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has declined from 43.2 per cent of the population in 1995, to 34 per cent in 2011-12, and now sits at just 20.9 per cent in 2023. These results highlight a long-term, fundamental shift away from sugar-sweetened beverages and in favour of low- and no-sugar varieties, including bottled water. 

Australian Beverages Council Limited (ABCL) CEO Geoff Parker says, “For over two decades, the drinks industry has been actively supporting this transition through innovation and new formulations, responding to consumer demand for low- and no-sugar options. A 22-year beverage trends study further highlights these shifts in consumer preferences with results from that analysis revealing bottled water sales have outstripped sales of sugar-sweetened carbonated soft drinks since 2015.   

“Today, Australians enjoy more beverage choices with less sugar than ever before. These results confirm that demand for low- and no-sugar options continues to grow, driven by the combined impact of shifting consumer preferences, industry leadership and sustained investment in portfolio renovations – including new recipes, reformulation, smaller pack sizes and clear labelling through initiatives like the Health Star Rating scheme,” said Mr Parker.

“The Australian drinks industry remains committed to working with government, public health stakeholders and the community to ensure Australians have the choice, information and innovation needed to support their drink choices.”