Food Consumption

This section explores recent dietary trends in Greenland and the Faroe Islands, with a focus on shifting consumption patterns and the evolving role of locally sourced foods. The 2018 Greenland Demographic Survey revealed that there is a gradual increase in the intake of fruits, vegetables, and processed beverages, while fish consumption has declined, reflecting a broader dietary transition influenced by imports. Meanwhile, in the Faroe Islands, a recent survey highlights varying levels of vegetable, fish, and meat consumption across age groups, with a notable preference for traditional foods among older adults.

Photo: Ingrid Hofstra / visitfaroeislands.com

The 2018 Greenland Demographic Survey, the most recent in a series of five nationwide health surveys initiated in 1993, included 2,539 individuals aged 15+ from 20 communities spread over the whole territory. The survey revealed a positive trend, with more people consuming vegetables daily and a decrease in food insecurity since it was first measured in 2014 (Lytken Larsen et al., 2019).

Five indicators have been developed based on the dietary recommendations of Greenland’s Nutrition and Exercise Council. Figure 2 shows the consumption of fruits, vegetables, Greenlandic foods such as fish, marine mammals, and meat, as well as the consumption of juice and soda. The development of these indicators was measured using the same questionnaire used in the population survey from 2005-2010 and in 2018. The results show that more people report eating vegetables and drinking more juice and soda, while fewer are eating fish. The proportion of those who eat marine mammals 1-3 times a week and those who eat fruit daily has not changed. In both surveys, only 3% of participants met all five dietary indicators, while about 15% met at least four of the five indicators.

Figure 2: Dietary indicators in Greenland in 2005–2010 and 2018

Over recent decades, the Greenlandic diet has shifted from predominantly local foods to a greater dependence on imports. A population survey from 2005-2010 revealed that local food consumption had already declined to 17% in urban areas and 32% in rural areas, falling further to 14% and 21%, respectively, by 2018. While there were differences in dietary patterns between urban and rural areas, fruit and marine mammal consumption remained similar across both. In rural settlements, fish continued to be a daily staple, but vegetable consumption was notably lower, with a higher intake of juice and fizzy drinks (Lytken Larsen et al., 2019).

A study by Jeppesen and Bjerregaard (2012) among Inuit in Greenland, involving 2752 respondents between 2005 and 2010, found that 67–71% of the participants exceeded the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2004 for added sugar intake, 39–44% exceeded the recommendations for saturated fat, and 46–47% for protein. Conversely, 77% fell below the recommended levels for fibre, and 47–59% were below the recommendations for carbohydrates (Jeppesen and Bjerregaard 2012).

Photo: Ólavur Frederiksen / visitfaroeislands.com

The 2023 Faroe Islands food survey, which included 5,104 respondents, revealed significant generational differences in the consumption of various food groups. Generally, older consumers (60-85 years) ate vegetables, vegetarian foods, and fish more frequently than younger age groups (Figures 3-4), while consuming beef (Figure 5) and fast food (e.g., pizza, burgers, sausages, fish and chips) less often. For instance, most older adults consume vegetables and fish weekly, whereas younger adults (18-29 years) tend to eat these foods only occasionally. Conversely, younger adults show higher frequencies of red meat and fast food intake, which decreases progressively with increasing age.

Although legumes are becoming popular in many parts of the world, this trend is not reflected in Faroese food consumption. The 2023 Faroese survey shows that legumes, such as lentils, beans, and chickpeas, are infrequently consumed across all age groups. While older adults may be more inclined toward health-conscious food choices, younger generations might benefit from increased awareness and access to healthier options. For example, traditional Faroese cuisine, which includes a variety of fish and fermented foods, may be more appealing to older adults who grew up with these foods, whereas younger generations might prefer more modern, convenience-based diets.

These findings suggest that information campaigns and activities aimed at changing consumer behaviour should be targeted accordingly. This generational pattern highlights the need for age-specific approaches to promoting dietary shifts in the Faroe Islands, as habits differ notably between younger and older populations.

Figure 3: Vegetables/vegetarian food consumption, Faroe Islands 2023

The survey combines vegetables and vegetarian food, and although these are not the same nor easily comparable, this categorisation makes sense in the context of the Faroe Islands.

 

Figure 4: Fish consumption, Faroe Islands 2023

Figure 5: Beef consumption, Faroe Islands 2023