Six Critical Nutrients for Healthy Vegan Eating

The popularity of plant-based eating is on the rise, and many people are discovering the power of produce. In our 2022 Food and Health Survey, 12% of our survey participants said they followed a plant-based diet within the past year. Without a doubt, eating more plant-based foods can improve your health, especially if you do not already eat enough fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, or whole grains. In addition to the numerous nutritional benefits of eating more plant-based foods like these, according to the National Cancer Institute, people who eat plant-rich diets have a lower risk of developing many types of cancers and other health conditions. Because of its potential health benefits, some people follow a vegetarian diet, while others take plant-based eating a step further and follow a vegan diet—a choice that is often driven by ethical beliefs and environmental concerns as well as a desire for better health. But while following a vegan diet can benefit your health, without special planning, it can also mean missing out on some crucial nutrients traditionally provided by animal foods. The need for dietary planning, however, is not limited to vegan diets—omnivorous diets also require attention to get the nutrients we need. If you follow a vegan diet or are considering giving it a try, “lettuce” help you level up your eating routine to ensure you’re getting enough of the following six nutrients. Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is vital for proper metabolism and DNA and protein synthesis, all of which support our brain, heart, muscle, and nerve health. Our bodies do not make vitamin B12, so we must get it from foods and/or dietary supplements. Vegetarian and vegan diets must pay special attention to vitamin B12 because it is only found naturally in animal foods. Without adequate amounts of this nutrient, people […]

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2016 IFIC Food & Health Survey: Food Decisions Dialogue

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2016 Food and Health Survey, “Food Decision 2016: The Impact of a Growing National Food Dialogue,” marks the 11th edition of an ongoing investigation into the beliefs and behaviors of Americans. The Survey, commissioned by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation, delves deeply into issues of health and diet, food components, food production, sustainability, and food safety. For eleven years, the Survey has uncovered important insights and trends for health professionals, government officials, educators, and others who seek to understand and improve the health of Americans. The 2016 Food & Health Survey continues this tradition, with a special focus on understanding the complex array of factors that influence food decisions in the United States. Related News and Analysis: Americans Remain Divided on Perceptions of GMO Labeling, IFIC Foundation Research Says Even on Food Issues, Politics Divides Americans A “Booming” Generation: Beliefs, Barriers and Behaviors Americans Don’t Know How Much Food They Waste

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Latest Research Reveals What’s Really Keeping Consumers From Eating Fruits and Vegetables

(Washington, D.C.) — As Earth Day approaches, consumers are thinking about what’s healthy for both people and the planet— with fresh fruits and vegetables top of mind. But despite the best of intentions, new research from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) reveals significant barriers to produce consumption.  “Spring is the time when people are planning gardens and planting seeds; it is also typically a time when lists of which fruits and veggies are safer for you to eat start to circulate on newsfeeds,” Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, IFIC President & CEO, said. “Our consumer research shows Americans consider how their food was grown when making food decisions, yet at the same time, Americans have never been more removed from the farm. It is our mission to help bridge that gap with consumer insights and science communications.”  Most Americans Show Interest In How Food Is Grown Yet Express Serious Concerns  According to the 2024 IFIC Spotlight Survey: Public Perceptions Of Pesticides & Produce Consumption, the majority of Americans (91%) consider how their food is grown when making food and beverage decisions; less than one in ten (8%) never consider how it travels from farm to fork.   Keeping food safe (70%) and the use of pesticides (60%) are top concerns when considering how food is grown. Nutritional content, use of agricultural technology, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and farm workers welfare were other listed concerns consumers factor into their purchase decisions.   Concerns and Myths About Pesticides Persist  Pesticides are commonly utilized by farmers for pest control as a tool to protect public health by ensuring safe and sufficient food production. Pesticides are regulated by several government agencies worldwide. Yet it is clear consumers remain confused regarding the methods, reasons, and situations where pesticides are used.   Many Americans (47%) believe […]

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5 Ways to Use Leftover Food Scraps and Decrease Household Food Waste

Food waste is a global issue, with estimations that 30-40% of all food goes unsold or uneaten. While reducing food waste is a shared responsibility, how can we, as everyday consumers, help? It turns out that many of us believe that our own individual choices can make a difference. Our latest Food and Health Survey found that 42% of consumers believe their individual food and beverage choices have a moderate or significant impact on the environment. One practical way we can begin to decrease individual household waste is by getting savvy on how to reuse leftover food items and scraps instead of immediately tossing them in the trash. Let’s look at how to utilize a few common food scraps or leftovers. Leafy bits of greens Thought to be one of the most wasted food items, leafy greens don’t have to fill our trash bins. They can be used as a garnish to top food dishes like tacos, thrown into a smoothie, or added to a stir-fry mix. Citrus peels Citrus peels are often discarded, but they don’t have to be. These peels can be candied, used as a drink garnish, or added to infused water. Alternatively, zest your peels before using the citrus fruit and place the zest in the freezer to be used later in baked goods or sprinkled on yogurt or oatmeal. Vegetable peels and stems Vegetable stems (e.g., broccoli and asparagus stems) might seem like a waste, but try adding them to a soup or stir-fry. Alternatively, they can be blended into a dip, hummus or sauce. Similarly, create a “veggie peels” freezer bag and through your leftover vegetable peels in after each meal. Once your bag is full, make a homemade vegetable broth. Bones from beef, chicken and ham Leftover bones can be used to make […]

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Preparing the Perfect Picnic

As temperatures continue to rise this summer, picnickers are flocking to parks and beaches. Picnics are a great opportunity to enjoy nature, take advantage of the slower pace of summer, and indulge in fresh seasonal produce. Whether you’re a pro picnic-planner or a novice who is perhaps intimidated by everything it takes to create a nutritious, safe-to-eat outdoor feast, there’s certainly a lot to keep in mind when serving food outside the comforts of your kitchen. But rest assured: With just a few additional minutes of preparation and planning, you can impress even your pickiest picnic-goers. Packing a healthy basket Putting together the perfect picnic basket is a little like putting together a charcuterie board—daunting at first, but completely worth it when the compliments come rolling in. Like preparing a meal at home for guests, the task of creating a picnic should keep in mind a few essentials to create a delicious and healthy meal. Remember the following tips to pack a tasty, filling basket that’s sure to please everyone. Keeping your basket—and cooler—safe Now that your menu is set, be sure to refresh your knowledge of food safety before heading out to the park. Helping your guests stay safe Protecting fellow picnickers from foodborne illness is as important as preventing the spread of other contagious bacteria and viruses. Although COVID-19 cannot be spread from food to food, it is most certainly spread from person to person. Keep this reality in mind when planning your gatherings—even those that are held outdoors. You may want to limit the number of guests you invite to be able to maintain adequate social distancing or recommend masks if you’re worried about crowds. Packing single-serving drinks and avoiding buffet-style serving can also stop the spread of germs, since multiple people will not be touching the […]

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2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey: A Focus On Food & Ingredient Safety

This year’s Food & Health Survey marks the 20th consecutive year that the International Food Information Council (IFIC) has surveyed American consumers to understand perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding food and food-purchasing decisions. In addition to exploring new perspectives, the 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey takes a retrospective look at how perceptions have evolved over the last two decades. About the 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey To mark the 20th anniversary of the IFIC Food & Health Survey, IFIC is implementing a rolling release throughout the rest of the year. That means we are taking salient insights from the 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey, for one topic-related release each month. This report focuses on food and ingredient safety data. 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey​ Research Methodology IFIC commissions this survey annually among U.S. consumers (n=3000), with 2025 marking the 20th consecutive year of the IFIC Food & Health Survey. Results were weighted to ensure that they are reflective of the American population ages 18 to 80, as seen in the 2024 Current Population Survey. Specifically, results were weighted by age, education, gender, race/ethnicity, and region. The 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey was fielded from March 13-27, 2025.

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Biodiversity 101

We share our planet with a multitude of other living creatures—plants, animals, insects and microorganisms. Derived from the words “biological diversity,” biodiversity is defined formally as the “variety of life on Earth at all its levels.” This diversity is essential to supporting our food system. Specifically, improving our agricultural biodiversity can help us draw on plant species and their genetic variabilities in order to feed the world sustainably while preserving our natural resources. The basics: What is biodiversity? As emphasized by Gurdev S. Khush, a former World Food Prize Laureate, biodiversity is the “basis of agriculture and our food system” and allows us to feed the human population while improving our quality of life. As such, biodiversity is important for maintaining farm ecosystems, also known as agricultural ecosystems and agroecosystems. A quick recap on ecosystems: An ecosystem is an environmental area in which “[all] organisms, as well as weather and landscapes, work together to form a bubble of life.” An ecosystem can comprise many different environments, be it a small pond, a large expanse of prairie, or a working agricultural farm. Within an agroecosystem, everything from the type of dirt to the bacteria species living in the dirt to the multitude of insects, animals and different crops atop the soil plays an important role in sustaining and maintaining a farm’s function and balance. The biodiversity of different farm ecosystems is important in maintaining the farm itself, but it also allows us to enjoy a wide variety of outputs. For example, a cattle farm’s ecosystem may include the growing of different varieties of corn (used to feed animals as well as for human consumption) and the practice of grass-grazing cattle, the byproducts of which can be used to fertilize crops and help sustain humans in the form of products like milk, […]

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2012 IFIC Food & Health Survey

The International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2012 Food & Health Survey takes an extensive look at what Americans are doing regarding their eating and health habits and food safety practices. The 2012 Food & Health Survey: Consumer Attitudes toward Food Safety, Nutrition & Health, commissioned by the International Food Information Council Foundation, is the seventh annual national quantitative study designed to gain insights from Americans on important food safety, nutrition, and health-related topics. The research provides the opportunity to gain insight on how Americans view their own diets, their efforts to improve them, how they balance diet and exercise, and their beliefs and behaviors when it comes to food safety. Americans are interested in food and health related issues, with nearly all saying that they have given at least a little thought to the healthfulness of their diet, physical activity, and the safety of their food. In an environment where media reports are constantly highlighting concern over the “obesity epidemic” and seemingly contradictory news stories tout and condemn various nutrients, many consumers acknowledge that it can be hard to know what to believe. This could explain why over half of Americans believe it is easier to figure out their income taxes than to figure out what they should and shouldn’t eat to be healthier. While Americans find it difficult to know what to believe about ever-changing nutrition information, nearly all are trying to improve at least one of their eating habits. They are considering calories and various dietary components (such as whole grains, fiber, sugars, salt and fat) when making food purchasing decisions, and many cite weight management and other health factors as the reason why they consider these components. It’s important to note, however, that taste continues to be the most important factor when it comes to purchasing decisions, […]

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