Study: Consumers Recognize At-Home Meals are Healthier

WASHINGTON - Americans are eating healthier foods at the dinner table, according to a national survey released by Food Marketing Institute here and Prevention Magazine. More than nine in 10 consumers prepare at least one home-cooked dinner from scratch each week and 68% do it almost daily. Seventy-one percent of shoppers surveyed believe the food they eat at home is healthier than meals consumed out, the study finds. Respondents expressed interest in nutritional guidance from supermarkets. Seventy-three percent would like to see signs indicating healthy food choices, 66% would like signs and information about disease management, and 62% would like to be guided by staff who can answer nutrition questions. Many are also turning to organic foods. Forty-four percent purchased organic fruits and vegetables in the past six months, 30% bought organic milk or other products and 29% purchased organic cereals, breads and pastas. “These findings underscore the powerful impact of the family dinner,” said FMI president and chief executive officer, Tim Hammonds, in a statement. “Regular family dinners are the best way parents can help their children eat healthy meals. These dinners also help children perform well in school and avoid abusing alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs, according to research from Columbia University.”