Figuring Taxes Easier than Eating Healthy

Source: International Food Information
Council Foundation

With over half of Americans trying to lose weight, most say that figuring out their taxes is easier than knowing what they should eat to be healthier, according to a new survey by the International Food Information Council (IFIC).

The 2012 Food & Health Survey also found that taste remains the top reason for choosing food and drink, a finding that mirrored the 2011 survey. The next highest determinants were price and then healthfulness.

Highlights of the survey include:

• Overall, 55 percent of Americans are trying to lose weight. However, 23 percent of obese consumers and 44 percent of overweight consumers say they are not trying to lose weight.
• 76 percent of respondents agree that changing nutritional guidance makes it hard to know what to believe.
• Consumers rely most often on their own research to make decisions about food.
• 30 percent of Americans believe that all sources of calories play an equal role in weight gain. Twenty percent believe calories from sugars are most likely to cause weight gain, an 11 percent increase from 2011.
• Almost 60 percent of Americans have given a lot of thought to what they eat and drink. Only 20 percent say their diet is very healthful and 23 percent describe their diet as extremely or very unhealthful.

Source: International Food Information Council Foundation. The 2012 Food & Health Survey: Consumer Attitudes toward Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health. May 2012.