Which do you think is easier -- doing your own taxes or trying to figure out how to make healthy sections in your diet?

According to the International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2012 Food and Health Survey, 52% of the American population believes trying to do their own taxes would be easier.

This yearly web-based survey, which was designed to help measure Americans’ attitudes and beliefs about their diet, health, and food choices, was completed in April by a sample of nearly 1,000 men and women ages 18-80.

In the report, nine out of 10 people described their health as good or better, which is a more positive trend than in recent years. Out of those polled, nearly one in four describe their diet anywhere from extremely to very healthful, while one in five reported a diet that was not healthful at all.

A trend among the participants revealed that almost everyone was making some type of effort to improve at least one of their eating habits. These statistics show that people appear to be eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water or low-calorie beverages, cutting back on food high in solid fats, added sugars, salt, and eating more whole grain foods, while partaking in smaller portions.

Here are some other key elements in the survey:

  • 60% of men reported being consistently challenged to eat a healthful diet.
  • 56% of women reported it more difficult to exercise than eat right.
  • 90% of all who were polled had given some thought to what ingredients were in their food products.
  • Taste remains the number one influence on food choices, followed by price, healthfulness, and convenience.
  • Nearly 50% of all participants reported trying to lose weight.
  • About two-thirds of parents worried about their children’s diets more than their own.
  • More than 50% of the participants feel that enjoying food is more important than what is in it.
  • Three out of four people find it difficult to trust in nutrition advice.
  • One in seven people can correctly estimate the number of calories needed to maintain their weight.
  • Buyers check expiration dates and nutrition facts most often before making food purchases.
  • Three out of four participants felt confident in the safety of America’s food supply.

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