Parade magazine's annual “What America Eats” survey finds Americans want well-balanced meals but ultimately undermine such efforts by indulging or seeking a convenient, if unhealthful, alternative. In fact, 84% try to eat well-balanced meals but fail, according to the research.
For 42% of consumers, diet is a balancing act, where a healthy mix of foods is countermined by the “reward” of snacks and other indulgences. Some 30% describe their eating choices as “the good, the bad and the ugly,” mirroring the frantic pace of their lives. Roughly 4% regard themselves as “health nuts,” avoiding preservatives and fast food. The remainder, according to Parade, pays no attention to nutritional facts and figures.