“It’s much better to eat simple and healthy meal alternatives, exercise a little, and read a book during my 90-minute lunchtime instead of spending the time eating greasy food and chitchatting.” (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jan. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – An increasing number of South Korean workers are becoming health-conscious, leading to soaring popularity for simple meal alternatives that can satisfy hunger and provide the right balance of nutrients.
According to Olive Young, a CJ franchise for health and beauty products, sales of these alternative foodstuffs, including powdered products, nut bars, almond milk, squeeze-to-eat porridges, jumped by 178 percent in December compared to October.
Sales growth continued this month, increasing by 125 percent from January 1 to 16 compared to the same period in October, the company added.
Lab Nosh, a multi-nutrient powder product consumed in a mixture with water, is among the most popular products. Sales of the product have jumped by more than twelvefold since it was first introduced in October of last year.
“It’s much better to eat simple and healthy meal alternatives, exercise a little, and read a book during my 90-minute lunchtime instead of spending the time eating greasy food and chitchatting,” said an office worker referred to only as Kim, 48, in an interview with Yonhap News Agency. “I feel like I can make a lot of improvements in life by making the best use of my lunchtime.”
Sales of Lab Nosh have jumped by more than twelvefold since it was first introduced in October of last year. (image: Egnis)
These types of meals are not only limited to lunch hours. Simpler breakfast options are popular as well among busy office workers seeking convenient yet healthier breakfast alternatives.
Intake’s Morning Juk (porridge) is one of them, and comes in laminated foil pouches in three flavors – sweet pumpkin, adzuki bean, and sweet potato. It was also introduced in October at Olive Young outlets, with sales doubling over the past two months.
Olive Young further noted that more customers were seeking nut products, which were once considered snacks in between meals, as alternatives to conventional meals. Sales of the chain’s Mix Nuts products, for instance, have jumped by 4,000 percent since their launch last October.
“More office workers are seeking to make better use of their lunchtime,” said an Olive Young official. “The popularity of meal alternative food products that are simple, convenient, and healthy is reflective of the trend.”
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
