US Consumers Say They Eat Healthier Today

Six out of ten American consumers say they are eating healthier (34% much/26% somewhat) since the recession began in 2008, and a majority of consumers (51%) say they have also tried to get fitter to better withstand the pressures of the recession.

The Lempert Report undertook an exclusive national polling of adult consumers this spring, and found intelligence and resilience ruling their dietary habits – rather than any sense of powerlessness that would have undermined attempts to improve their lot in tough times.

Rather, among the majority that said they aim to be fitter, 46% eat smarter, 42% exercise more, 42% drink more water, and 23% sleep more, the data show. And contrasted with the 60% that say they eat healthier, 30% say they eat about the same, just 8% somewhat less healthy and 5% much less healthy.