Americans are Changing the Way They View Healthy Food, Ultimately Determining How They Dine Out

Americans are changing the way they think about food and nutrition. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2016 Food and Health Survey shows that more consumers are concerned about a food’s ingredients and source, ultimately determining how they dine out.

According to an article in Fast Casual, the study found that Americans are paying closer attention to where their food comes from. Forty-four percent of survey respondents said they’d either read an article or watched a movie that explored the topics of diet and food. More than one fourth of consumers also claimed they’ve changed their food purchasing habits because of a food’s origins and ingredients.

That concern about ingredients isn’t just limited to grocery stores—it’s also playing a role in the restaurant industry. Forty-seven percent of the survey’s respondents said they check the ingredients on the items they order while out to eat, up from 40 percent in 2015. More consumers are also looking for healthy items on restaurant menus, which for 35 percent of respondents means low fat and sugar contents.

The IFIC Foundation’s survey also notes that the local food trend is here to stay. More than 70 percent of respondents said they trusted regionally sourced food. That trend extended to the restaurant industry as well—55 percent said they trusted locally owned and operated restaurants more than national chains.

Kimberly Reed, President of the IFIC Foundation, says these shifts in opinions about health food and nutrition are due to a number of demographic factors.

“Our 11th annual survey shows that the food dialogue has gained momentum over the past year, with factors including health status, gender, income, education and age influencing Americans’ views on the food they eat,” said Reed.