6 Diet Disconnects

6 Reasons Why We’re Not Eating Healthier

Excerpt:

Here are the major areas in which the survey found "diet disconnects" that could stand in the way of a healthier diet and lifestyle:

1. Calories. Some 70% of those who reported trying to eat healthier said they were doing so because they wanted to lose weight. Yet only 11% of Americans knew how many calories they should be eating each day. (To find out your own recommended calorie level, go to mypyramid.gov.)
   
2. Diet and Exercise. Most Americans -- 84% -- say they are physically active for health benefits at least once a week. But 44% of those who are active say that they don't balance diet and physical activity to manage their weight. "Consumers need to understand that calories have to be balanced with physical activity -- either by eating less or exercising more -- to achieve weight control," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.
   
3. Breakfast. According to 90% of Americans, breakfast is the most important meal of the day (something most dietitians agree with). Still, less than half (49%) report eating it every day. (If this sounds like you, dietitians recommend stocking your kitchen with healthy "grab and go" breakfasts: low-fat yogurt, cereal bars, whole-grain cereal, and hard-boiled eggs.)
   
4. Fats. Americans' concern about how much and what kind of fats we eat is up from a year ago (from 66% to 72%) and we're specifically trying to consume less trans fats. But it seems we're as confused as ever about which fats are healthier. Some survey participants reported trying to eat less polyunsaturated fats, but this is one of the fats recommended for health benefits. (For the record, healthier fats include canola, olive, corn and safflower, though it's important to keep in mind that all fats are high in calories.)
   
5. Carbohydrates. Americans are getting the message that some types of carbs can improve the healthfulness of their diets. More than 70% of those surveyed said they are trying to eat more fiber and whole grains. But even though low-carb diets have seen a drop in popularity lately,more than 50% of Americans are still concerned about the amount of carbohydrates they consume.
   
6. "Functional" Foods. According to the survey, Americans believe that consuming specific foods and beverages can provide health benefits, like improving heart health (80%); digestive health (76%); and energy or stamina (76%). Yet more than 50% of those surveys say they don't actually consume food or beverages that deliver these benefits.
   

Comment: My wife sent this to me. A good read (the entire article!)