Consumers fall short on meeting their nutrient needs
Perception does not equal reality when it comes to knowledge about nutrient intake, according to the 2013 IFIC Functional Foods Survey
Nearly eight in 10 Americans (79 percent) say they are at least somewhat knowledgeable about nutrition, but new research from the International Food Information Council shows several wide gaps between their perception of the adequacy of their diets and reality. The IFIC presented the results to journalists on a webinar this morning.
The 2013 International Food Information Council Functional Foods Consumer Survey reveals that despite consumers’ reported knowledge about nutrition, the majority (67 percent) believe they fall short of meeting “all or nearly all” of their nutrient needs. “Functional foods” are defined as foods that have benefits beyond basic nutrition—such as blueberries, yogurt, and fortified milk, bread or cereal.