Stay Strong Study: Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Singapore’s Growing Senior Population

Empowering Our Seniors and Caregivers:
Insights into Everyday Nutrition

At least 1 in 5 in Singaporeans will likely be aged 65 or older by 2026, making Singapore a super-aged nation by international standards. As the nation’s largest retailer, FairPrice Group (FPG) has a unique responsibility to meet the evolving food and nutrition needs of Singapore’s growing ageing population.

The Stay Strong study explores seniors’ attitudes, habits and challenges in the area of nutrition, and identifies opportunities for FPG to support all seniors in Singapore with Staying Strong in their golden years.

Attitudes and Aspirations:

Seniors know a healthy diet is key to ageing well

Seniors in Singapore know that they need to eat well to stay strong in their golden years. The vast majority understand that nutrition plays an increasingly important role in their diets as they grow older, and most say that they do in fact eat more nutritiously as they age.

82%

of seniors agree that it is important to maintain a healthy diet

86%

of seniors believe that they need to eat more nutritiously as they age

70%

of those who hold this belief say they consume nutritious food more now compare to when they were younger

I think my eating habits were shaped by watching my father suffer from diabetes. That made me want to take better care of myself… my father’s condition had a big influence.

Low income, independent senior, 70 years old

I think my eating habits were shaped by watching my father suffer from diabetes. That made me want to take better care of myself… my father’s condition had a big influence.

Low income, independent senior, 70 years old

Habits:

The head and stomach disconnect is one of the key barriers to eating well

Most seniors know that healthy eating is essential to staying strong, but there is a clear head and stomach disconnect when it comes to mealtimes – taste, freshness, and familiarity (foods that seniors know and like) are more important to them than the nutritional value of what goes onto their plates.

On average, seniors make an effort to choose healthy options for only half of the meals they eat.

“I eat smaller portions and mostly follow what’s tasty. Nutrition comes second. Personally, I still go for taste first. If it tastes good, I’ll eat it. Everything else is secondary.”

High income, independent senior, 65 years old

Seniors’ priorities when it comes to mealtimes:

Taste

Freshness of ingredients

Familiarity (foods they know and like)

Tie between cost and nutrition

“My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.”

Middle income, dependent senior, 76 years old

Many seniors attributed positive adjustments to their diet to a change in taste preference, rather than an intentional, health-conscious decision.

“I’ve just evolved to prefer less salty or sugary food. It’s more a shift in taste than an intentional health decision.”

High income, independent senior, 65 years old

“I eat smaller portions and mostly follow what’s tasty. Nutrition comes second. Personally, I still go for taste first. If it tastes good, I’ll eat it. Everything else is secondary.”

High income, independent senior, 65 years old

“My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.”

Middle income, dependent senior, 76 years old

“I’ve just evolved to prefer less salty or sugary food. It’s more a shift in taste than an intentional health decision.”

High income, independent senior, 65 years old

Understanding:

Seniors have common misconceptions about nutrition

Seniors say that government initiatives have helped to educate them on the importance of healthy eating habits, like what to eat less of in their advanced age.

However, more than half still do not actually know what goes into a healthy plate, though this percentage is lower than that of the general population.

44%

of seniors can correctly identify the components of a healthy plate

COMPARED TO

Only

23%

of Singaporeans in general, suggesting a narrower gap in nutrition education for seniors.

Government – TV, advertisements, Suria, podcasts – is emphasising good food, proper food…less sugar, less salt, soupy…just slurp the noodles but don’t drink up the soup.

Middle income, independent senior, 66 years old

That being said, study findings also showed that many seniors still hold on to common misconceptions about food and nutrition.

I don’t really know what nutrition means, maybe only ‘agar agar’ (approximately)… as long as my diabetes doesn’t ‘go up’ so fast, then it’s nutritious.

Middle income,
dependent senior, 70 years old

Click below to bust seniors’ top food myths, with Ms Ng Puay Shi, Head and Principal Dietitian, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

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“Nutritious food is not tasty.”

0%

of seniors agreed with this myth.

Meals can be both tasty and nutritious if we use the right ingredients and cooking methods! Foods like mushrooms, tomatoes, seaweed, wombok (Napa cabbage), and fermented products like miso, kimchi, and tempeh can add a natural umami punch to meals. Most importantly, balancing out our meals with proteins and vegetables can add both nutrients and flavour.

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“I should eat less carbohydrates as I get older.”

0%

of seniors agreed with this myth.

It’s generally recommended for both young adults and seniors to get 45-65% of their daily calories from carbohydrates, which are an important source of energy even as we age. Healthier options like brown rice, wholemeal noodles, sweet potatoes and oats can also provide fibre and vitamins to support digestion and energy levels. This is especially important for maintaining strength and vitality in seniors.

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“Fresh food is more nutritious than fresh frozen food.”

0%

of seniors agreed with this myth.

Frozen foods can be just as nutritious as fresh ones! Vegetables and fruits are often frozen at peak ripeness, locking in their nutrients. Frozen edamame, spinach, or mixed vegetables are quick and easy everyday alternatives that don’t compromise on nutritional value.

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“Taking vitamins can replace eating nutritious food.”

0%

of seniors agreed with this myth.

Supplements cannot replace a balanced diet. While multivitamins can help bridge nutritional gaps, they do not provide the full range of nutrients, fibre, and protective compounds found in whole foods. Consuming whole foods, guided by My Healthy Plate, will offer a more complete source of nutrition that is better absorbed by the body.

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“I need to avoid all fats to maintain a healthy diet.”

0%

of seniors agreed with this myth.

Not all fats are bad – some contain essential fatty acids for health. Some sources of healthy fat include nuts and seeds, salmon, and cooking oils such as canola, sunflower or olive oil to support brain and heart health. Ultimately, moderation is key. Choosing healthier cooking methods such as stir-frying, steaming, grilling, braising can help reduce the overall amount of fat used in cooking.

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“When I’m sick, I should just drink soup or eat porridge.”

0%

of seniors agreed with this myth.

While comforting, soup and plain porridge alone do not provide enough nutrients for recovery. Instead, it’s important to consume sufficient amounts of protein (like meat, egg, tofu, or fish), vegetables, and whole grains. My Healthy Plate provides easy-to-follow guide on portion sizes to ensure we receive the necessary nutrients to support healing.

Government – TV, advertisements, Suria, podcasts – is emphasising good food, proper food…less sugar, less salt, soupy…just slurp the noodles but don’t drink up the soup.

Middle income, independent senior, 66 years old

I don’t really know what nutrition means, maybe only ‘agar agar’ (approximately)… as long as my diabetes doesn’t ‘go up’ so fast, then it’s nutritious.

Middle income,
dependent senior, 70 years old

According to HealthHub, older adults require 50 per cent more protein than a younger adult.

The Stay Strong study findings revealed that most seniors know how important it is, and claim to be consuming more protein in older age.

Adequate protein intake is not just a nutritional goal – it’s a cornerstone of healthy ageing. As we age, our bodies naturally lose muscle mass, which can lead to frailty, reduced mobility, and a higher risk of falls. To counter this, older adults need to increase their protein intake to support muscle maintenance and strength, preserving mobility, independence, and quality of life. Good nutrition isn’t just about eating well – it’s about staying strong, independent, and healthy for longer.

Ms Ng Puay Shi

Head and Principal Dietitian, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Tan Tock Seng Hospital

67%

of seniors agree that they
need more protein than younger adults.

69%

of those who agree say they have increased their protein intake compared to when they were younger.

However, recent data from the Health Promotion Board indicates that half of Singapore’s seniors still fall short of their recommended protein intake.

seniors are not meeting their recommended protein intake

This suggests that seniors still may not be consuming enough protein to prevent muscle loss, frailty and other related issues, despite understanding how important it is.

Adequate protein intake is not just a nutritional goal – it’s a cornerstone of healthy ageing. As we age, our bodies naturally lose muscle mass, which can lead to frailty, reduced mobility, and a higher risk of falls. To counter this, older adults need to increase their protein intake to support muscle maintenance and strength, preserving mobility, independence, and quality of life. Good nutrition isn’t just about eating well – it’s about staying strong, independent, and healthy for longer.

Ms Ng Puay Shi

Head and Principal Dietitian, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Learning gaps:

Seniors are not seeking out new information on nutrition

Most seniors do not actively seek out new information on nutrition to fill in their knowledge gaps on healthy eating.

69%

of seniors rarely seek out new information on nutrition (a few times a year/rarely or never)

Seniors say that the top sources they trust for accurate information on nutrition are:

1

Doctors/healthcare
professionals

2

Family/friends

3

TV/newspaper/
news websites

While I used to nag at her, now I’ve learnt to stop nagging because it would cause arguments. I would let the doctor nag at her because that’s where the tension happens… so I stopped. I gave up.

Middle income,
caregiver of 70 year old dependent senior

Seniors understand which sources to trust on nutrition information, but some also cited mealtime tensions at home stemming from family members wanting to ‘control’ their diets.

While I used to nag at her, now I’ve learnt to stop nagging because it would cause arguments. I would let the doctor nag at her because that’s where the tension happens… so I stopped. I gave up.

Middle income,
caregiver of 70 year old dependent senior

Encouragingly, seniors also indicated a strong preference to learn more about nutrition through alternative mediums, such as engaging content on social media and community engagement initiatives.

Seniors would most prefer to learn about food and nutrition from:

Online
videos

WhatsApp or
Telegram channels

Workshops at
community or
active ageing centres

I read a lot online. I even use AI tools to help me understand certain things. I get information from Instagram too, but I always double-check it with my own research… The information is there, and it’s more accessible. The challenge is whether
people actually pay attention to it.

Low income,
independent senior,
70 years old

I read a lot online. I even use AI tools to help me understand certain things. I get information from Instagram too, but I always double-check it with my own research… The information is there, and it’s more accessible. The challenge is whether
people actually pay attention to it.

Low income,
independent senior,
70 years old

Motivators:

Seniors want to stay strong in their golden years

Seniors show a strong desire to maintain their independence and self-reliance in their old age, and understand that eating nutritiously plays a key role in ageing healthily.

Seniors who say they are eating more nutritious food now compared to when they were younger are doing so to:

Support their immune system and avoid getting sick

Support healthy ageing and longevity

Prevent chronic diseases

At my age, I still move around, I still travel. That is the reason why you eat right… I can walk, I can carry my luggage, I’m still hiking… and I drive… I hope I can continue doing things till I’m 75.

High income,
independent senior,
69 years old

Seniors who say they are eating more protein now compared to when they were younger are doing so to:

Maintain muscle strength and prevent muscle loss

Support bone health and prevent fractures

Support healthy ageing and longevity

To avoid illness – things like cancer, stroke. I want to stay independent, and I know eating well helps with that.”

High income,
independent senior,
65 years old

Family is another source of motivation in encouraging seniors to eat more nutritiously, and stay strong as they age.

Many seniors also shared a desire to earn more time with their children and grandchildren by practicing a healthy diet.

Nearly 7 in 10 seniors say that family traditions and family eating habits influence their decisions to eat nutritious food.

It’s hard, but I must control… old already. What if I ‘jalan’ (walk) and I fall? If I ‘suka suka’ (anyhow) eat, never control? I want to be healthy and I want to be strong… to see my grandchildren grow up, be married. How nice it is to have a family…

Middle income,
dependent senior, 70 years old

At my age, I still move around, I still travel. That is the reason why you eat right… I can walk, I can carry my luggage, I’m still hiking… and I drive… I hope I can continue doing things till I’m 75.

High income,
independent senior,
69 years old

To avoid illness – things like cancer, stroke. I want to stay independent, and I know eating well helps with that.”

High income,
independent senior,
65 years old

It’s hard, but I must control… old already. What if I ‘jalan’ (walk) and I fall? If I ‘suka suka’ (anyhow) eat, never control? I want to be healthy and I want to be strong… to see my grandchildren grow up, be married. How nice it is to have a family…

Middle income,
dependent senior,
70 years old

Our Methodology

This comprehensive study adopted a two-pronged approach to gather diverse insights:

Stronger, Together

Guided by insights from the study, FairPrice Foundation’s new Stay Strong programme will be rolled out in 2026 and focus on supporting seniors’ nutritional needs in engaging and meaningful ways.

We aim to bring together an ecosystem of partners to provide holistic support for seniors, starting with Tan Tock Seng Hospital – one of Singapore’s largest hospitals with a strong geriatric practice, and a long history of serving seniors in the community.

Together, we will strengthen seniors’ access to nutritious essentials and nutrition knowledge through fun, gamified experiences. Stay tuned for more details on the Stay Strong programme, coming in 2026!

Explore how you may benefit from our existing programmes:

Hear from the Expert

1

In The News

5 Nov 2025

FairPrice Group to prioritise bridging the nutrition gap for seniors in Singapore; to partner with Tan Tock Seng Hospital in developing nutritional solutions

Read now

Championed by:

Supported by nutrition knowledge partner:

Stay Strong Study: Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Singapore’s Growing Senior Population

Empowering Our Seniors and Caregivers:Insights into Everyday Nutrition

Seniors know a healthy diet is key to ageing well

The head and stomach disconnect is one of the key barriers to eating well

Seniors have common misconceptions about nutrition

Seniors are not seeking out new information on nutrition

Seniors want to stay strong in their golden years

Our Methodology

Stronger, Together

Hear from the Expert

In The News

Connect with FairPrice Group

Empowering Our Seniors and Caregivers:
Insights into Everyday Nutrition