As it turns out, you really are what you eat. A new survey shows most Americans feel a physical impact from their food -- and many are often left feeling tired and sad.
According to a OnePoll survey of 2,000 respondents commissioned by Daily Harvest, 93% of Americans feel a "physical impact" from what they eat.
The poll found 54% feel tired, 22% feel frustrated and 17% feel sad by the time their day is done, and many say their diet is to blame.
Overall, just 20% of Americans polled felt their diet is "very healthy." Another 19% feels like their diet fails to meet all of their nutritional needs, and 16% say their diet is unhealthy, according to Talker News, which analyzed the data.
The poll also found that one in four people (24%) "rarely" or "never" inspect the nutritional labels on their groceries, compared to the 18% who "always" look before they eat, Talker reported. Either way, 47% of respondents say they've come across ingredients they didn't recognize on their favorite foods.
"By examining this data, we can tell that there's a persistent problem where people are coming across foods that involve ingredients or origins that aren't familiar to them, which is then impacting how they feel at the end of the day," Carolina Schneider, Daily Harvest's nutrition advisor, told Talker. "That's something no one should have to worry about when their health is on the line."
In an attempt to feel better, people are turning to their doctor (42%), social media (35%) or family and friends (33%) for health and wellness information. Those who use social media for this purpose say the best platforms are Facebook (71%), Instagram (44%) and TikTok (41%).
No matter what your 2024 eating goals may be, making a small change to your diet could have a huge payoff.
"Plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, are more than just nutrient sources — they hold the power to make you feel vibrant and energized. Incorporating these into your daily meals isn't just a short-term fix; it's about creating a foundation for improved health," Schneider said in a statement. "Making small changes to your diet can lead to significant and long-term benefits to your health."