Americans Rate Whole-Grain, Low-Fat Foods as Healthiest, Less Sure About Organically Grown Fruits and Vegetables and Naturally Produced Meats

Americans Rate Whole-Grain, Low-Fat Foods as Healthiest, Less Sure About Organically Grown Fruits and Vegetables and Naturally Produced Meats

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 3, 2000 

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AMERICANS RATE WHOLE-GRAIN, LOW-FAT FOODS AS HEALTHIEST, LESS SURE ABOUT ORGANICALLY GROWN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND NATURALLY PRODUCED MEATS

CHICAGO — As Americans undergo a nutritional "change of appetite" — with rising interest in foods that improve and maintain health — their views differ on just which types of foods are healthier than others, according to the American Dietetic Association's new nationwide survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2000.

Substantial majorities of Americans believe whole-grain breads and cereals and low-fat dairy products are "healthier" than regular products, ADA's survey shows. But people are less certain about organically grown fruits and vegetables, or naturally produced beef and pork.

The survey found:

  • 90 percent believe whole-grain breads and cereals are healthier than "regular" products
  • 55 percent say they are "much healthier"
  • 74 percent say low-fat dairy products are healthier
  • 52 percent say organically grown fruits and vegetables are healthier
  • 52 percent say naturally produced beef and pork are healthier

"It isn't totally clear why some naturally produced food products are perceived as much healthier than others," says San Francisco registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson JoAnn Hattner. "It could be that, due to years of familiarity with whole grains and low-fat dairy products, Americans right now have a more positive association with those foods.

"As production of organically grown fruits and vegetables and naturally produced meats continues to rise and they become increasingly available, we may see consumers' views of them evolving as well."

"If consumers actually eat what they say they believe to be healthier — fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains and regular portions of meat, the quality of Americans' diets would be enhanced as well as their quality of life," Hattner says.

Among the 90 percent who believe whole-grain breads and cereals are healthier, 92 percent of them say such products are "much healthier" or "somewhat healthier."

"This tells us that whole grains have finally made it to the top of people's lists as a means to a heart-healthy diet," Hattner says. "People are hearing the message that eating whole means you are getting a lot more fiber."

Similarly for low-fat dairy products, Hattner says the survey shows "Americans have finally gotten the message — when you decrease dairy fat, you're not altering the nutritional value. Registered dietitians have been working to get this message out for years, along with our advice to consumers to lower fat intake to 30 percent of calories."

While smaller majorities of Americans say organically grown fruits and vegetables are healthier than "regular" products — and 21 percent say regular is healthier — Hattner says it's important for people to increase their overall consumption of fruits and vegetables, whatever their source. "They provide nutrients that help prevent and protect against diseases - they are the real heroes of our diet."

Opinions are divided on naturally produced beef and pork. Of the 52 percent who believe they are healthier, a large majority — 87 percent — say these foods are much healthier or somewhat healthier than regular products. On the other hand, of the 20 percent who say regular is healthier when it comes to beef and pork, another large majority — 73 percent — rank it much healthier or somewhat healthier.

"Consumers do have clear choices nowadays," Hattner says. "And whatever meat products they choose, people need to keep portion sizes in mind. The healthiest amount of meat should be about three to four ounces per serving, or about the size of a deck of playing cards."

According to Hattner, the survey's overall findings indicate that Americans are devoting more and more thought to the health aspects of the foods they eat, which has positive consequences for everyone. "These findings would be significant if only because parental influence is a major factor in what children consume. And when we see parents and adults making healthful decisions, we know that children will be influenced to make these same choices."

The 70,000-member American Dietetic Association is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Chicago-based ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. For the most timely, complete food and nutrition information, visit ADA's Web site.

Editor's note: For more information about ADA's Nutrition and You: Trends 2000 survey, for a copy of the full results or to interview an ADA spokesperson, contact ADA's Public Relations Team at 800/877-1600, ext. 4802, 4894 or 4769.

Survey results are based on telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 792 adults conducted in October 1999 by Wirthlin Worldwide. The survey has a confidence interval of plus-or-minus 3.5 percent in 95 out of 100 cases.