Australians are ordering healthier meals when eating out versus the previous year. However, research findings show that this trend toward healthy eating does not necessary include vegetarian foods, with only about 11% of respondents claiming they had increased their ordering of vegetarian meals over the past 12 months.

A fifth of Australians (20%) said they are eating out more than they did a year ago. In other findings, Western Australians aged 50 years and older are twice as likely to have increased their consumption of healthy meals (35% increase over the past 12 months) than Victorians (17%).

According to American Express Vice President Geoff Begg, “The increasing preference for healthy meals and salads coupled with the popularity of casual restaurants and cafes is seeing a shift in the types of menu options available in Australia. While Australians are increasingly looking for healthy meal options, but not necessarily vegetarian options, it is the reputation for quality food, affordability and service that still wins over a customer and has them returning again and again.”