2022 IFIC Food & Health Survey: Spotlight On Parents Of School-Age Kids

With summer on the wane and back-to-school season in full swing, many parents of school-age children are pivoting their food purchases in order to accommodate their kids’ new schedules. But what factors influence what parents decide to put in their grocery carts—for their children and themselves? IFIC’s 17th annual 2022 Food and Health Survey explores Americans’ perceptions and behaviors around food and food-related purchasing decisions, including some particularly interesting findings regarding parents with children under the age of 18. Read on for some fascinating insights on this influential demographic. Perceptions on Health It won’t come as a surprise to any parent that the top health benefits this demographic seeks from foods, beverages, and nutrients are “energy/less fatigue” (with 35% saying so) and “improved sleep” (30%). The nutritional needs and sleep schedules—or lack thereof!—of their young children, coupled with work and other family demands, make a clear case for these health benefits topping the list. Parents of school-age kids are also more likely to say that they seek out “emotional/mental health” benefits from what they eat or drink, with nearly one-quarter (24%) saying so. Additionally, this year’s survey found that parents were more likely to report feeling “very” or “somewhat” stressed over the past six months (69% versus 48% of those who don’t have children under 18). Among parents who reported feeling stressed, 33% said they made changes to their nutrition or diet to help manage or reduce stress; the most common changes included consuming foods or beverages intended to reduce stress, consuming less caffeine, and taking dietary supplements intended to relieve stress. Diet and Eating Patterns This year’s survey found a surge in the number of Americans following a specific diet or eating pattern in the past year, and parents of school-age kids were no exception, with 70% doing so. […]

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How to Teach Your Child to Have a Healthy Relationship with Food [Podcast]

There’s a lot of conflicting nutrition information out there which can make food decisions challenging. As a parent, the pressure mounts even higher because naturally, you want to do what’s best for your kids so that they grow up healthy and strong. Nutrition plays a big part in that and so does their relationship with food. But how do you teach a child to have a healthy relationship with food? We explore this question and more on this episode of DataDish, with Anne Mauney. Anne is a Washington, D.C.-based Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She also has a Master’s of Public Health in Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Anne works with clients using a method called Intuitive Eating, helping them to improve their relationship with food and reduce the associated stress that some people experience. Some highlights from today’s episode include: Enjoy the podcast! To learn more about intuitive eating, check out more of these Food Insight resources.

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2020 Food and Health Survey

This year’s Food and Health Survey marks the 15th time the International Food Information Council (IFIC) has surveyed American consumers to understand their perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors around food and food purchasing decisions. This year, the survey continues an examination of issues related to health and diet, food components, food production, and food safety. It also explores new topics, such as how food and health behaviors have changed in the past decade (2010-2020) and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our eating habits. DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE   Download the 2020 Food & Health Survey by filling out this form: <!– Past Survey Results: 2019 |  2018  |  2017   |  2016   |  2015   |   2014   |   2013   | 2012  |  2011   |   2010   |   2009   |   2008   |   2007   |   2006 –> Suggested citation for the 2020 Food & Health Survey: International Food Information Council. 2020 Food & Health Survey. 10 June 2020. https://foodinsight.org/2020-food-and-health-survey/

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Consumers Show Strong Interest in Knowing About Food Ingredients: “Clean” Is in, “Chemical-Sounding” Is Out

(Washington, D.C.)—Whether they impact flavor, appearance, nutrition, freshness or texture, food ingredients have been used for centuries for a variety of purposes. But the names of those ingredients or how they are described can make a big difference in whether we buy a particular food—or pass it by.  A new survey by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) is revealing just how big a role ingredients play in the food attitudes and purchasing habits of American consumers. The survey, “From ‘Chemical-Sounding’ to ‘Clean’: Consumer Perspectives on Food Ingredients,” shows that our interest is strong, “clean” is popular and health is paramount.  Ingredient Interest  Nearly two-thirds (63%) of adults say the ingredients in a food or beverage have at least a moderate influence on what they buy.  When we are shopping, the product itself is overwhelmingly where we look for information about the ingredients: 62% consult the ingredients list and 52% look at front-of-package information. Other sources of information trail far behind, including the websites or social media accounts of brands/companies (20%), family or friends (16%) and QR codes on packages (8%).  But the calculus changes somewhat when Americans seek more general information about food ingredients, with 20% saying family and friends are their top source, followed by websites or social media accounts of brands/companies (19%), the top articles shown after an online search (18%), their personal health care provider (16%) and websites or social media accounts of U.S. government agencies (15%). Only 4% of Americans cite food/nutrition social media influencers or bloggers as their top source of food ingredient information.   Not only is the influence of ingredients on purchasing decisions high, but consumer attentiveness is also growing, with 62% of respondents saying they are paying more attention to ingredient lists now than they did five years ago.  The survey also found pluralities of consumer support for the benefits of preservatives: 42% agree that adding preservatives to foods is a way to help reduce food waste (21% disagree) and 39% agree that adding an ingredient to a food would be positive if it extended shelf life (23% […]

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3 Ways Mindfulness Can Help Reduce Food Waste

Food waste is a continual issue in the United States. A new study reported that nearly 150,000 tons of food is wasted, or about one pound per American daily. Recently, “healthy eaters” have been pinned as the worst offenders, with produce as one of the most wasted foods. But who wants to be told they’re contributing to waste when they’re just trying to eat fruits and vegetables? While you may be trying to do your body some good by increasing your produce intake, you might need some inspiration to get creative with how you buy and utilize your groceries. Let’s dive into some practical tips that may help you be more mindful of your food choices and reduce the amount of food you waste. 1. Get Creative at Home Too often we assume that because it’s grocery shopping day, we automatically need to stock up on X, Y or Z at the supermarket. Challenge yourself one day each week to make meals with the foods you still have — whether that’s some meat in the freezer, canned goods in the pantry or the long-lost veggies in the crisper drawer. You may also want to consider giving your fridge a makeover by putting produce in more visible areas. 2. Finish Now or Finish Later Mindful eating is about awareness while eating. A common practice is to notice all the different sensory aspects of food (taste, texture, aroma, etc.) while limiting distractions during mealtimes. Pairing mindful eating with intuitive eating (which aims to remove food rules and bring back the joy of eating) can help you focus on your hunger cues and be present for your meal. It’s just fine if you end up finishing it all at once — but if you want to save some for later, that works too. […]

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Farmers’ Market Food Safety 101

With the ushering in of warmer weather and more sunny days come thoughts of fresh produce and access to many of our favorite fruits and vegetables from local farmers’ markets. These typically outdoor markets range in size, location and the different goodies they bring to local neighborhoods, and their appeal is undeniable—they’re at the center of many communities in the spring and summer and offer many nutritious and tasty foods. But because these foods can come from different sources, consumers should follow some general food safety guidelines when purchasing and eating them. Remember these three safety tips in order to enjoy your farmers’ market finds the safe and healthy way: Federal regulations see all farmers as equals, and so should you. All farmers, local or long-distance, must follow United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety regulationsto grow and harvest crops. These guidelines govern all foods equally, no matter their location of origin and whether or not the food is conventionally grown or labeled as organically produced. This means that all farmers, either the one up the road or the one 1,000 or more miles away, must follow the same precautions and rules when it comes to using all crop inputs (including pesticides) for growing fruits, vegetables and grains. It’s important to know that for both organic and conventional produce, federally regulated pesticides are used for pest management and yield equally safe and nutritious products. Before you eat it, you should wash it. While you stroll the around your farmers’ market you may be tempted to pop a strawberry into your mouth or take a bite from a newly purchased apple to test for sweetness. But if you do, we might yell at you, “Stop, hold it right there!” While the […]

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Top 5 Takeaways About Fiber, Fruit & Vegetable Consumption & Its Impact On The Gut Microbiome

Over the past few years, the terms “microbiome” and “gut health” have exploded into the public consciousness due to an increase in newly published scientific research, media coverage, health and wellness trends, and food and beverage product innovation. Interestingly, Google Trends data show a steep incline in the amount of people searching for “microbiome,” indicating a steady increase in public awareness and curiosity in what factors impact our gut health. The gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of microbes, collectively called the gut microbiome. The amount and types of bacteria found in our gastrointestinal tracks and our entire bodies can vary drastically from person to person, and there has been some debate about what makes up a “healthy” human microbiome. Specifically, there is great interest in the health impact of consuming fiber-rich foods, including fruits and vegetables, on the gut microbiome. Researchers focused on the gut microbiome extensively examine how dietary choices can impact the gut microbial profile, including the influence of prebiotics and probiotics from foods and beverages. This new and emerging research field has shed additional light on the fact that eating more fruits and vegetables is important for positive health outcomes. While this connection may not be surprising, it is troublesome when we consider that most people do not consume the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Expert Webinar, “An Apple A Day? Emerging Research On The Impact Of Fruits, Vegetables & Fiber On The Gut Microbiome,” explored how fiber-rich foods, including fruits and vegetables, impact the gut microbiome, as well as new research on the diverse makeup of prebiotic and probiotic availability in fruits and vegetables and potential positive health impacts. Here are the top takeaways from the webinar, featuring Dr. Katrine Whiteson and Dr. Wisnu Wicaksono (of the Dr. […]

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2017 Food and Health Survey: “A Healthy Perspective: Understanding American Food Values”

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2017 Food & Health Survey, “A Healthy Perspective: Understanding American Food Values,” marks the 12th edition of an ongoing investigation into the beliefs and behaviors of Americans. This year, the survey investigates important issues regarding consumer confusion, the food information landscape, health and diet, food components, food production, sustainability, and food safety. Download Full Survey Survey Resources: Summary Documents: <!– Past Survey Results: 2016   |  2015   |   2014   |   2013   |   2012   |   2011 2010   |   2009   |   2008   |   2007   |   2006 –>

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