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Study Identifies Factors Influencing Food Choice and Solutions for Eating More Healthfully

Wednesday, September 5, 2007 General News
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PITTSBURGH, Sept. 5 New research from Rutgers Universityconfirms that America's diet is out of shape. The study, published in theJuly/Sept. issue of Topics in Clinical Nutrition summarized peer-reviewedresearch from 1996 to 2007 on Americans' dietary intake; food choicemotivators, eating times and locations; and food preparation habits.
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The purpose of the study, funded by the Canned Food Alliance, was tobetter understand why Americans eat the way they do and to providerecommendations for how Americans can achieve a healthier diet by identifyingthe behaviors and motivators that influence Americans' food consumption.
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The research showed that people are eating too much fat, calories, addedsugar and sodium, and not enough important nutrients such as fiber, vitamin Aand calcium. For example:

Meal habits and inadequate planning could be a factor of poor dietaryintake. One-third of Americans decide what to make for dinner at the lastminute and make dinner selections because they require little or no planning.

"People think that eating healthfully takes too much time, so they'rereaching for fast food, takeout and other commercially prepared meals," saysCarol Byrd-Bredbenner, Ph.D., RD, FADA, lead study researcher, NutritionalSciences Department, Rutgers University. "By planning ahead and having a well-stocked kitchen and pantry, Americans could eat more healthfully withoutchanging the busy lifestyles they lead."

Although nutrient-rich, diverse foods are available, consumers are stillfalling short of dietary recommendations. So as part of the study, a panel offood, culinary and nutrition experts received the research results anddeveloped a list of recommendations for making mealtime decisions.

Knowing that more than two-thirds of Americans aren't eating enough fruitsand vegetables(1), canned food is one way to bridge the nutrient gap withinour time-constrained lifestyles. Several university studies confirmed thatcanned fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh and frozen(2),making them a convenient way for Americans to start eating more healthfully.Plus, canned foods are easy and accessible for everyone, everywhere, every dayand play a crucial role in contributing to the nation's nutrition.

"We already know that canned food brings important nutrients to the table,but to confirm that Americans need convenient options is exciting news for thecanned food industry," says Rich Tavoletti, executive director, the CannedFood Alliance. "Eating healthfully doesn't have to be hard, and we're gladthese recommendations remind consumers healthy eating can be achieved byincorporating convenient and nutritious canned food into meal preparation."

For hundreds of easy and nutritious meals and tips for cooking with cannedfoods, visit www.mealtime.org. For complete study results contact KatieCalligaro, Ketchum, at 412-456-3596 or via e-mail [email protected].

About the Canned Food Alliance

The Canned Food Alliance is a partnership of the American Iron and SteelInstitute's Steel Packaging Council, the Can Manufacturers Institute, selectfood processors and affiliate members. The primary mission of the CFA is toserve as a resource for information on the nutrition, convenience,contemporary appeal and versatility of canned food. For hundreds of mealtimesolutions, visit www.mealtime.org.-- Americans are only getting 77% of the daily value recommended for vitamin A, due in part for not consuming enough fruits, vegetables and milk. -- Males and females ages 2-19 consume more than three times the daily recommended amount of added sugar. -- Fiber is in short supply with Americans meeting on average only 60% of their daily requirement.

SOURCE Canned Food Alliance
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