AICR Survey: Home Cooking on the Rise, Spurred by Economic Downturn
WASHINGTON, DC -- The unsettled economic outlook is sending Americans into the kitchen, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). Forty percent of Americans say they are cooking at home more often as a result of the current economic situation.
(Media-Newswire.com) - WASHINGTON, DC -- The unsettled economic outlook is sending Americans into the kitchen, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Institute for Cancer Research ( AICR ). Forty percent of Americans say they are cooking at home more often as a result of the current economic situation.
In the same survey, Americans report making other changes linked to better health and lower risk for cancer and other chronic diseases. Nearly half of Americans ( 48 percent ) report eating fast food less often than they did before.
Many Americans say the current economic situation has motivated them to eat more vegetables and fruit, consume less red meat and to exercise more than they did in the past.
"We don’t recommend an economic recession as a health-booster," says AICR Registered Dietitian, Alice Bender, "but it appears Americans are looking for ways to take better care of themselves."
The idea that lean economic times may result in leaner, healthier Americans is interesting, says Bender, and suggests that as a country we respond to different stresses in different ways.
A widely reported 2001 AICR survey, conducted two months after the September 11 attacks, showed that 20 percent of Americans had turned to high-fat, high-calorie "comfort foods" like mashed potatoes, fried chicken and macaroni and cheese to deal with psychological stress and feelings of helplessness. Another 19 percent said they had indulged their sweet tooth more often, eating more ice cream and desserts.
The new survey shows a different response, one that has less to do with feeling helpless and more to do with taking control of your financial bottom line and your health.
"People are looking for ways to save money, and making your own meals is a great way to stretch a dollar," according to Bender. "It’s also a way to take back control of what you and your family are eating, and make small, healthy changes that pay off big, down the line."
Results of AICR Survey, With Comments Would you say as a result of the current economic situation you are cooking meals at home more often, less often, or just as often as you did in the past? Just as often 50% More often 41% Less often 7% Never cook meals at home 2% DK/R <1%
"Cooking at home typically means more balanced, healthful meals. There are no mystery ingredients," notes Bender, "and you can serve yourself appropriate amounts." Studies show that serving sizes influence how much you eat, so smaller, home-sized portions can help you stay in line with your calorie needs.
Would you say as a result of the current economic situation you are eating fast food more often, less often, or just as often as you did in the past? Less often 48% Just as often 33% Don’t eat fast food 15% More often 5% DK/R <2%
"That makes sense," says Bender. "If people tell us they’re cooking at home more often, that means they’re eating out less often. This is a healthy trend having an occasional fast food meal, rather than several times a week and it merits watching."
Would you say as a result of the current economic situation you are eating vegetables and fruit more often, less often, or just as often as you did in the past? Just as often 65% More often 26% Less often 9% Don’t eat fruits/veg 1% DK/R <2%
Would you say as a result of the current economic situation you are eating red meat more often, less often, or just as often as you did in the past? Just as often 62% Less often 29% Don’t eat red meat 6% More often 3% DK/R <1%
According to Bender, eating more vegetables and fruits and less red meat is right in line with AICR recommendations to lower risk for cancer and other chronic diseases. "AICR’s New American Plate approach to meal-making filling at least 2/3 of your plate with vegetables, whole grains, beans and fruit and 1/3 or less with fish, poultry or lean meat is an easy way to think about a healthy balance. In this survey, we’re seeing a shift away from an emphasis on meat and a shift toward plant foods."
Would you say as a result of the current economic situation you are exercising more often, less often, or just as often as you did in the past? Just as often 55% More often 23% Less often 17% Do not exercise 5% DK/R <1%
"Exercise is a great stress reducer, so Americans may be literally working out their frustrations. And families and friends may be doing more outdoor activities together hiking, biking or playing basketball and other sports. This," says Bender, "could have a positive effect on children’s future physical activity habits."
Not All News in Survey is Good News Would you say as a result of the current economic situation you are skipping meals more often, less often, or just as often as you did in the past?
Just as often 47% Do not skip meals 32% More often 13% Less often 8% DK/R <1%
"One in eight Americans skipping meals more often is a major concern," says Bender. "Food insecurity often affects children disproportionately and can present serious problems in nutritional status and healthy growth." Families struggling to put food on their table may be eligible for the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) or Women, Infants and Children ( WIC ).
The survey involved 1,024 Americans aged 18 or over who were reached by telephone in early February.
AICR Offers Help for Healthy, Delicious And Quick Home Cooking The American Institute for Cancer Research offers a series of free, recipe-filled brochures called "Homemade for Health" that offer practical guidance for organizing your time and your kitchen so you can prepare quick, healthy and delicious meals.
The latest, called More Flavor, Less Time: Quick Cooking for Lower Cancer Risk walks you through different cooking methods to show you how to maximize flavor and health while minimizing time spent in the kitchen.
A PDF of the brochure can be viewed and downloaded online at www.aicr.org. ( Click on "AICR Brochures." ) You can order a single, free hard copy of the brochure via the website, or by calling AICR at 1-800-843-8114 extension 474, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
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The American Institute for Cancer Research ( AICR ) is the cancer charity that fosters research on the relationship of nutrition, physical activity and weight management to cancer risk, interprets the scientific literature and educates the public about the results. It has contributed more than $91 million for innovative research conducted at universities, hospitals and research centers across the country. AICR has published two landmark reports that interpret the accumulated research in the field, and is committed to a process of continuous review. AICR also provides a wide range of educational programs to help millions of Americans learn to make dietary changes for lower cancer risk. Its award-winning New American Plate program is presented in brochures, seminars and on its website, www.aicr.org. AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund International.
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