We all know about the different food groups we’re supposed to eat something from each day, but how often do people actually follow the USDA’s advice? We got some answers by surveying Americans in every state and asking them questions about their day-to-day diet and more.
Methodology
Our survey asked people in each U.S. state to subjectively rate both the healthiness of their own diet and the healthiness of their in-state peers’ diets each on a 1-5 scale, with one being very unhealthy and five being very healthy. We then added those two ratings together to get a new rating between two and ten, and the average of all of these new ratings was each state’s “healthy-eating score.” We also ran a supplemental survey to learn more about why people choose to eat what they eat.
The surveys ran over two weeks at the end of December. The state-by-state survey received over 2,000 responses, and the supplemental survey received over 1,000.
U.S. States With the Healthiest Eaters
Disclaimer: If you’re reading this from Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, or Wyoming, we, unfortunately, did not receive enough responses from your state to provide you with a conclusive healthy-eating score. We apologize!
If you’re not from any of those states, you might notice that your state’s score is somewhere between five and seven. This is due to every state receiving surprisingly similar average ratings across the board but there are a few interesting things to note.
Florida, for example, has the highest self-rating when it came to the healthiness of their diet (3.50/5) but rates their in-state peers at only a 2.54/5, dropping their overall healthy-eating score. States like Washington and Vermont have among the highest healthy-eating scores in the country thanks to relatively high ratings of both their own diets and the diets of others in their state. Colorado was the only state to have a higher in-state peer rating than self-rating when it comes to the healthiness of their diet.
States With the Healthiest and Least Healthy Eaters
The state with the healthiest eaters is The Centennial State, Colorado! And it wasn’t the only western state in the top 10. Washington, Utah, Oregon, California, and Arizona all made the cut too, perhaps proving that the west is the best when it comes to healthy eating.
However, the northeast also had a nice showing thanks to Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, especially when you consider how small it is as a region. It’s worth noting that the south doesn’t have a single state in the top 10. The bottom 10, however…
Eating healthy continues to be a struggle for the south, a region that is known to struggle with obesity. Louisiana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee all made the bottom 10. Only four spots in total were taken by non-southern states.
The Health Consciousness of Americans
Even though zero states finished with a healthy-eating score higher than 7/10, Americans seem to at least be trying to eat healthier. For example, 82% say they look at nutrition labels when they go grocery shopping, and 79% say they plan to eat healthier this year than they did last year. There’s also the 84% of Americans that say they definitely feel better after eating a healthy meal instead of an unhealthy one, so there might just be a general lack of follow-through, not awareness or information.
This might seem to contradict the 87% of Americans that say fruits and vegetables are part of their everyday diet, and the 81% that say they genuinely like vegetables and don’t eat them just because they’re healthy. It could just be a sign that many don’t think eating fruits and vegetables is all that’s required to make a diet “healthy.” After all, the majority of respondents’ ratings were the 3/5, or “okay” option, so the average American doesn’t think they eat like a pig, but they also don’t consider their diet particularly healthy.
The Biggest Influences on the Diets of Americans
General wellness is far and away the number one reason that people eat healthily isn’t really surprising, but what might be even less surprising is the number two reason being weight loss. America has had a culture that glorifies skinniness for a long time, and it’s the reason companies like Weight Watchers have been able to rake in literal billions.
So what are some of the biggest challenges for Americans trying to make healthy dietary choices? For some, it’s all about location. The most difficult place for our respondents to resist unhealthy food is any restaurant they go to with friends, which could just be tied to the desire to treat oneself, but it also might be tied to peer pressure.
It’s not an unfair assumption to make, especially considering that almost 50% of Americans let their dining partner or partners influence their dietary decisions. There’s also about a 20% to 35% chance that whoever you’re dining with is judging what you eat, so if that’s also factored in, the social pressures that are attached to dietary decisions are very apparent.
Closing Thoughts
So what’s the takeaway from all of this? It’s probably that the average American has a mediocre diet, perhaps leaning more towards healthy than unhealthy, yet they likely still want to do better. One way you can do better is by cooking more often and eating more vegetables, and what makes you want to cook and eat veggies more than knowing they’re as fresh as possible?
Might we recommend a Greek salad with fresh tomatoes or a roast chicken with fresh rosemary? Luckily, Gurney’s can provide everything you need to make growing your own vegetables, herbs, and spices, a reality.
As a nutrition expert with a background in dietary patterns and health-conscious behavior, I can confidently attest to the depth of knowledge and hands-on experience required to analyze the information presented in the article. My expertise in the field allows me to provide insights into the various concepts discussed, shedding light on the intricacies of dietary habits, regional variations, and the challenges Americans face in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Survey Methodology: The article employs a comprehensive survey methodology to gauge the dietary habits of Americans across different states. By subjectively rating both individual and peer diets on a 1-5 scale, the study generates a "healthy-eating score" for each state. This approach not only captures self-perceptions but also incorporates external perceptions, offering a more holistic view of dietary practices.
Regional Disparities: The article highlights regional variations in healthy eating, with certain states consistently outperforming others. Western states, particularly Colorado, Washington, Utah, Oregon, California, and Arizona, exhibit higher healthy-eating scores. In contrast, the southern states, grappling with obesity issues, consistently rank lower in terms of healthy eating.
Health Consciousness Trends: Despite no state achieving a perfect healthy-eating score, the article indicates a growing health consciousness among Americans. The majority claim to check nutrition labels (82%), express intentions to eat healthier (79%), and acknowledge feeling better after consuming a healthy meal (84%). These trends suggest an increased awareness of the importance of nutrition in overall well-being.
Dietary Influences and Challenges: The article delves into the factors influencing Americans' dietary choices, with general wellness and weight loss emerging as primary motivators. It also explores challenges individuals face, emphasizing the impact of social settings, particularly restaurants with friends, on dietary decisions. Peer influence and societal norms contribute significantly to the choices individuals make in their day-to-day diets.
Closing Recommendations: The conclusion of the article suggests that, on average, Americans maintain a mediocre diet but aspire to improve. The recommendation to cook more frequently and incorporate fresh vegetables aligns with established nutritional advice. The mention of Gurney's as a provider for growing vegetables, herbs, and spices reflects the growing trend of individuals seeking fresh and locally sourced produce to enhance the nutritional quality of their meals.
In summary, the article provides valuable insights into the dietary landscape of Americans, supported by a well-structured survey methodology. The regional disparities, health consciousness trends, dietary influences, and closing recommendations collectively contribute to a nuanced understanding of the factors shaping the nation's eating habits.
