The pandemic has caused a major shift in many people’s eating habits in 2020. If you can relate to the popular hashtags on social media- #quarantine15, #cantstopeating, #stresseating, chances are the pandemic has affected your eating habits as well, and probably not in the best way.
In this blog we are talking with you about survey information that many of you told us as part of the FEAST project second survey in June of 2020. Over 300 of our readers with mobility impairing disabilities told us about how their eating and shopping habits had changed since the pandemic had started. What you told us about what you are eating. The US government (https://www.choosemyplate.gov/node/5679) tells us that up to about 35% of the food calories we eat every day can come from fat. You told us that, on average, you eat about 34% of your calories from fat. This might include such commonly eaten foods as milk, eggs, bacon, sandwich meat, cheese, French fries, and salad dressings. The good news is that many of us are eating 35% or less. But the not so good news is, because it’s an average across all respondents, some of us are eating too much fat. We learned from you that most are eating very little fruit or vegetables. The average survey respondent reported eating less than half a fruit per day, instead being more likely to drink juice. The guidelines are clear: eating whole fruits is much better if possible. We have room for improvement. Most of us also are not eating enough vegetables daily. On average, most of the survey respondents reported eating less than a serving per day. The guidelines tell us to eat five servings, per day, at a minimum! On the plus side, those of us who are eating vegetables are more often eating salads, which often include a variety of vegetables at a time. It’s worth reminding everyone to eat your vegetables. Why aren’t we eating right? We wondered why our eating habits were not as tip top as they should be. In our August 19, 2020 blog (https://feastresearch.weebly.com/grocery-shopping), we talked about grocery shopping. We learned a lot about the barriers that many of us face getting fresh fruit and vegetables from a grocery store. In our FEAST second survey in June, about two thirds (65%) of you have found it more difficult to get healthy food during the COVID-19 pandemic. This might be because most of you—70%!—agreed that you had less money for food due to a job loss or cut in hours caused by COVID-19. A slimmer majority of you (60%) felt less safe going shopping now that there are social or physical distancing and face covering orders. Based on what you have told us, it is completely understandable if the pandemic has changed your eating habits—not in the most positive light. Just like you, the pandemic has caused individuals around the globe stress, worry, boredom, and many other feelings that can cause people to eat too much or the wrong thing. It is also no help that many people have been staying in their homes with unlimited access to their kitchen all day! But now we are months into the pandemic. It is time to take back control of our healthy eating habits! How can I eat better? To develop or reinvigorate healthy eating habits, we need healthy eating strategies. One great tool for this is the MyPlate tool. MyPlate is a free, online tool by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that serves as a reminder to find your healthy eating style and build it throughout your lifetime. Healthy eating is a journey that is shaped by many factors. The MyPlate tool offers ideas and tips to help you create a healthier eating style that meets your individual needs and improves your health. You can download the ChooseMyPlate app from your app store on your mobile device or you can go on ChooseMyPlate.gov to access the tool. Registering for an account is free of charge! https://www.choosemyplate.gov/WhatIsMyPlate And, please, eat more vegetables!
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