According to the 13th Annual Food and Health Survey, released by the International Food Information Council, many in the U.S. are on diets. More than one-in-three U.S. consumers are following a specific diet or eating pattern, the survey found. And consumers are increasingly averse to carbohydrates and sugar, with more Americans than in previous years blaming carbs (specifically sugars) for weight gain.
Here are some of the findings from the survey.
- 1/3 of U.S consumers follow diets, that is up from 14 percent the previous year. Consumers aged 18-34 were most likely to follow a specific eating pattern or diet.
Of those consumers dieting:
- 16% of Americans are following a carbohydrate restricted diet
- 10% follow intermittent fasting
- 7 % follow Paleo
- 5% follow low-carb
- 5% follow Whole30
- 4% follow High-Protein
- 3% follow Ketogenic/High-Fat
Nutrient most blamed for weight gain:
- Sugar-33%
- Carbohydrates 25%
- Fats 16%
- Protein 3%
- All sources 17%
Top desired benefit from dieting:
- 20% Cardiovascular health
- 18% Weight management
- 13% Energy
Source: International Food and Information Council 2018 Food & Health Survey