ST. LOUIS—Almost half (46 percent) of Americans are reluctant to spend more on healthier versions of food, according to the United Soybean Board's (USB) 2009 Consumer Attitudes About Nutrition survey. This is not for lack of interest: Of those not willing to spend more, 52 percent confirm the reason is financial.
According to the 16th-annual research study, 87 percent of Americans express concern about the nutritional content of the food they eat, a number that reflects Americans' interest in healthier foods. While consumers juggle nutrition and economic value, 88 percent still consider nutrition important when purchasing foods at the grocery store.
Within price constraints, Americans are taking greater control of their health by choosing functional foods that provide specific health benefits.
USB's study demonstrates the heightened awareness of soyfoods' health benefits, as 84 percent of Americans rate soy as healthy, up 25 percentage points over the last 12 years. In fact, one-third of Americans purchase foods specifically because they contain soy.
"Soy products are an ideal option for those seeking budget-friendly meals. For example, a block of tofu can star as the protein in a family meal for less than $2, and soybean oil costs one-quarter of the price of some other healthy oils," said Lisa Kelly, MPH, RD of the United Soybean Board.