|
|
Eating healthily does not mean taste has to be compromised. Giving
up one's favourite foods or sacrificing taste in meals is not necessary.
One third of EU consumers are contemplating a healthier diet, the other
two thirds are happy with what they eat and don't want to attempt any
improvements. The challenge is to give eating healthily a positive image.
Most European consumers (80%) think eating a healthy diet is a difficult
achievement. A recent survey of Consumer Attitudes to Food, Nutrition
and Health questioned more than 14,000 people in the EU.
Professor Mike Gibney, co-ordinator of the project, says, "Helping people
feel positive about eating healthily is a major challenge for nutrition
educators. It is of vital importance if further dietary improvements
are to be achieved".
Common obstacles
Lack of time, due to irregular working hours and a busy lifestyle,
is the most cited obstacle to people adopting healthier eating habits.
Younger people and those in employment feel they are much too busy to
change to a healthier diet. Those in particular between 15 and 34 years
of age think eating healthily means compromising on taste. They are
reluctant to give up their favourite foods for what they believe to
be unappealing 'healthy' foods.
The majority of people surveyed believe healthy eating is difficult
and too much trouble. Lack of willpower to make the necessary changes,
because of the bother involved, is one of the most frequently cited
obstacles quoted by those interviewed.
Thinking positively
Knowledge on how to improve eating habits is generally good but the
will to change is weak. Turning a negative image into a more positive
one is key to any future dietary changes in the EU.
Read more
Source: EUFIC
 |
|
