Pasta, noodles, rice become Australia's favorite side dishes

Pasta, noodles and rice have become Australia's favorite side dishes, according to a report released on Friday by the country's supermarket chain Woolworths.

The Woolworths Trolley Trends report has revealed a vastly different Australia to the one that existed 25 years ago.

It found that 61 percent of sides purchased by shoppers are now pasta, rice or noodles.

"The potato was Australia's side dish of choice in 1984 accounting for 72 percent of our side dish purchases. This has dropped to 39 percent," the report said.

The report, which surveyed the buying habits of 9,500 consumers over 24 months, also found Australians are changing their palates.

It said since 2010 popular produce showed Arab influence, with Medjool dates, figs, almonds and pomegranates gaining popularity.

Asian vegetables like pak choy, bok choy, choy sum, wom bok and snake beans were also more popular with shoppers nowadays.

Demographer Bernard Salt, who led the research, said the report reflected the "global composition" of the modern Australian household.