>Harried Americans Prefer Comfort Foods

Harried Americans Prefer Comfort Foods

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.--Everyday stress drives consumers to seek instant gratification by choosing less healthy, high-calorie comfort foods, according to a new report on American health and well-being by market research firm Landis Strategy & Innovation (www.landis-si.com).

The survey explored the health and wellness perceptions, needs, values and beliefs of 1,031 American adults and found U.S. consumers favor comfort food over healthier nutritional choices supported by current medical guidelines for healthy eating.

"Today, grocery store aisles are full of perfectly healthful dietary alternatives for well-intended Americans," said Chris McCarthy, senior counsel for research and development with Landis. "Medical journals are equally chock-full of diet and exercise guidelines which, if followed, are almost guaranteed to be successful. However, America remains in the midst of an ever-widening obesity epidemic. Our findings suggest that existing health guidelines, and healthy food and beverage alternatives, have completely missed the mark."