The biggest barrier to diet and lifestyle changes for greater health is putting it off until tomorrow, according to a new survey. The survey was commissioned by SmarterNaturally, who produce a soup made from a special type of broccoli.
The research of men and women over 35 years of age was carried out to highlight why people find it so hard to change their diet and lifestyle for the better, despite being aware of the health benefits that, without change, could lead to long-term health complications.
The SmarterNaturally survey carried out by Attest found that most people put off going on a diet as events get in the way which causes the ‘there’s always tomorrow’ mentality (26.4%).
Other popular reasons for not complying to health guidance was because often diet changes focus too much on what ‘I can’t have’, rather than what ‘I can have’ (19.5%). Other reasons included ‘I don’t have time’ (11.9%) and ‘it’s too difficult’ (11.5%).
A spokesperson for SmarterNaturally said: “Again and again, scientific research into our health is showing us that diet and exercise play a huge role in our health, and that eating a large variety of fruits and vegetables in our diet is critically important – particularly as we get older. In fact, recent research has suggested that the previous recommendation to eat 5 pieces of fruit & vegetables a day, should actually be 10, which is overwhelming many and causing them to put it off until ‘tomorrow’. The other extreme is that people are constantly told what they can’t or shouldn’t eat which can become very restrictive and unsustainable over time.”
