Thinking about starting a diet? A recent online survey from Fresh Avocados – Love One Today® of 1,000 Americans shows that more than half (53 percent) are currently dieting ahead of the summer months – rising to 59 percent for millennials.
The main reason cited for dieting is to see improvements in overall health (38 percent), followed by the desire to lose weight (28 percent).
The high number of diets taking place might be because six in ten feel there is a pressure to look a certain way or get in shape for the summer. A fifth (19 percent) claim to feel a lot of pressure in this area.
But, while people are more likely to diet to feel healthier, that isn’t being reflected in the food they actually eat – only 30 percent report eating fruits and vegetables multiple times per day.
It’s no wonder then that two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents feel diets have less than a 50 percent success rate.
So, what’s stopping people from successfully meeting their goals? The top five barriers to healthier eating were identified as:
- Hunger (37 percent) – struggling to maintain a feeling of fullness
- Busy schedules (35 percent) – it’s easier to reach for fast foods and unhealthy snacks
- Time (26 percent) – respondents correlate eating healthy with more grocery shopping and meal preparation time
- Boredom (26 percent) – it’s uninspiring to cook with typical diet foods
- Deprivation (21 percent) – respondents have trouble finding healthy foods that taste good and are appetizing; they feel they are missing their favorites
But, there is hope for those who might be struggling. In fact, 46 percent of respondents reported that they find fresh avocados to be delicious.
Registered dietitian and Love One Today® spokesperson, Danielle Omar, explains how avocados can inspire success and help Americans reach their healthy eating or weight loss goals.
“Fresh avocado is one of the only fruits with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats or ‘good fats,’” says Omar. “It’s a nutrient-rich, versatile fruit that can be eaten alone or used in a variety of tasty recipes – from soups to salads to smoothies – all of which can fit into an individual’s healthy eating plan. Plus, avocados are a good source of fiber, making them a satisfying snack or addition to any meal that can help you feel fuller, longer.”
The results from the Fresh Avocados – Love One Today recent survey indicate that the versatility of the avocado can influence modern approaches to dieting by acting as a recipe substitute for bad fats, while reducing the intake of saturated fat, sodium and calories. Whether served in chunks, mashed, sliced or pureed, avocado is being embraced as a satisfying addition to a variety of healthy eating plans.
In fact, with the knowledge that avocados can be part of a healthy eating plan, over two-thirds of respondents (71 percent) are more optimistic about dieting this summer.
