Research commissioned by Kellogg’s has shown almost a quarter of Australians have eaten healthier in the last six months. However, despite 55 per cent of Australians believing good gut health is a priority, spending habits indicate they need help to make more informed purchases for gut health.
With 71 per cent unaware that products supportive of gut health can cost as little as $5, one in ten are spending up to $100 on a single product to improve gut health.
Consumers are spending on probiotic supplements (38 per cent), kombucha (29 per cent), Kimchi (18 per cent) and inner health powders (17 per cent). However, Australians seem to have neglected prebiotics as a viable option.
Pantry staples such as wholegrains, fibre-rich cereals, canned beans and legumes are one of the most effective ways to support good gut health, due to their levels of prebiotic fibres.
Prebiotic fibres feed the good bacteria in the gut to help provide positive benefits and prevent bad bacteria from growing and overtaking. More than half of Aussies (52 per cent) are unaware that fibre breakfast cereals and whole grains contain prebiotic fibre.
Maintaining gut health may be a priority, yet eight out of ten do not understand the importance of prebiotics for good gut health, and over a third (35 per cent) admit to not consuming any prebiotics because they don’t believe they need them.
“Finding cheaper alternatives to products that you’re currently using can be a great way to save money, without actually having to ‘give up’ anything!” SkilledSmart, a financial education company, founder Paridhi Jain said.
“When looking at gut health products, some powders can run up to $70 per product, however there is always opportunity to find more cost-effective solutions which could result in substantial savings.
“It’s important to think about what that saved money could really mean for you and your family. We know that even a few hundred dollars invested yearly, can grow to a substantial amount (even tens of thousands of dollars) over the long-term,” Jain said.
“Aussies tend to get caught up in purchasing the latest and greatest product and more often than not these products are touted as having probiotics,” accredited practicing dietician Geraldine Georgeou said.
“What Aussies forget is that it’s prebiotics that makes one of the biggest differences. Prebiotic fibre continues to be one of the most effective ways to maintain good gut health.
“Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has shown that a lack of dietary fibre and whole grains, is the leading dietary risk for chronic disease. However, 43 per cent of Australians don’t consume enough prebiotic fibres because they don’t know what they are and where to get them in their food.”
From cost to variety, accessibility and taste, good gut health doesn’t need to come with a price tag. Now it’s easier to live healthily and maintain good gut health by eating foods rich in fibre which cost less.
For more information and helpful tools, visit www.kellogg.com.au/fibrefit.