An increasing number of South Koreans are skipping breakfast and relying on convenience foods such as fruits, beverages, or cup noodles as a source of energy. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — One out of three Koreans eat out regularly according to a study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Korea Centers for Disease Control (KCDC).
An increasing number of South Koreans are skipping breakfast and relying on convenience foods such as fruits, beverages, or cup noodles as a source of energy.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and KCDC said on Sunday that as of 2017, 32.6 percent of Koreans ate out more than once per day, a significant increase from 24.2 percent back in 2008.
Korean men tended to eat out more than women. As many as 41 percent of Korean men ate out more than once per day, while only 23.8 percent of Korean women did likewise.
Food consumed at home accounted for only 38.3 percent of the average Korean’s daily caloric intake, a drop from 58.6 percent back in 2005.
Eating out accounted for 29.5 percent, an increase from 20.9 percent in 2005, while another 24.8 percent came from eating convenience foods that require simple or no cooking such as beverages, fruits, or instant noodles, rising significantly from 10.2 percent in 2005.
The data also showed that 27.6 percent of Koreans tended to skip breakfast, a big jump from 19.9 percent in 2005.
Consequently, the contribution of breakfast to daily energy intake dropped, from 21.2 percent in 2005 to 15.9 percent last year.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
