Overview
- Nearly one in three respondents (29%) say they don’t know what a healthy plate looks like.
- On average, people estimated 28% protein, 20% grains, and 38% fruits and vegetables, versus guidance of 25%, 25%, and 50% respectively.
- More than half have recently changed their diets to be healthier, and 55% made those changes without consulting a healthcare professional.
- Carbohydrate skepticism is common, with 34% labeling carbs unhealthy and reporting reduced intake of bread (28%), pasta (27%), cereal (19%), and crackers (18%).
- Many misjudge nutrient roles, with 47% naming protein as the main energy source, only 15% identifying grains, and just 17% aware that grains supply B vitamins.