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| New survey shows 90 percent of women do not fully understand the calories they eat |
| January 15, 2008 |
| White Plains, N.Y. |
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Americans in need of a calorie and nutrient education WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., January 15, 2008 - Ask any American woman if she ever manages her weight, and almost nine times out of 10, she'll say "yes." Ask her if she fully understands how many calories are in the foods she's eating, and more than likely, she'll answer incorrectly. In fact, although more than half of American women actively manage their weight most of the time or more often, many do not fully understand the calories they eat, according to Dannon™ Light & Fit™'s recent Calorie IQ survey.1 Despite efforts to keep weight in check, women seem to be willing to take drastic measures to lose weight, with one third saying they would even give up sex for one month just to lose a few pounds. What is 100 calories? Common snack foods seem to be one culprit for calorie confusion, with nearly half of Americans surveyed believing that one and a half ounces of pretzel sticks contains 100 calories or less compared to the 160 calories2 they contain, and nearly one in five believing that pretzel sticks are a nutrient-rich snack. Additionally, more than a quarter believe that a one-ounce bag of potato chips contains 100 calories or less, a surprisingly low number in comparison to the 153 calories2 it registers, and more than half of Americans believe that a can of diet soda contains over 100 calories, when in reality it is calorie-free. Perhaps it's time for a calorie and nutrient education. To help women make smart decisions about weight management, Dannon is introducing Light & Fit 0% Plus, a new nonfat yogurt that contains 60 calories and 0 percent fat per four-ounce cup. With 50 percent more fruit than regular Light & Fit six-ounce nonfat yogurt, calcium and Vitamins D and B2, Light & Fit 0% Plus provides women with a great-tasting, healthy snack option to enjoy valuable essential nutrients while limiting calories and fat. "I have clients come to me every day who seem to understand the basics of weight management but do not fully understand what makes up the foods they are eating," explained Oz Garcia, PhD, nutritionist to the stars and member of the Dannon Light & Fit Weight Management Council. "It's important to realize that when trying to limit the calories we eat each day, we need to make sure we're getting all the nutrients the body needs to keep it well-fueled; that doesn't have to mean compromising on taste." "Weight management is very important to women, and with Light & Fit 0% Plus we are providing a healthy snack option that is a great-tasting light nonfat yogurt," said Katherine Brooking, RD, Corporate Nutritionist for The Dannon Company, Inc. "With this new product, we will continue to be women's partner in weight management, and we will continue to bring out new, delicious foods as we have since 1942 when Dannon was first introduced." Preserving Essential Nutrients, While Cutting Calories While many women know a lot about the keys to weight management and consider nutrient-rich foods an important part of weight management, many are misinformed about the loss of essential nutrients as they manage their weight. According to the Light & Fit Calorie IQ survey, 63 percent of women believe they get enough calcium and 73 percent believe they get enough Vitamin D. However, research from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports that in reality, fewer than half of women are getting enough Vitamin D and eight out of 10 are lacking calcium.3 Additionally four in 10 women have a difficult time finding weight management foods that both taste good and provide essential nutrients. Light & Fit 0% Plus addresses both of these concerns by providing a delicious option that contains not only nutrients but also 50 percent more fruit. Transparency All Around While women are actively trying to keep their eyes on their waist line, many are lying about the calories they consume. In fact, four in 10 women admit to lying to themselves about what they eat during the day, with more than half of women reporting that they are likely to tell themselves calories "don't count" during birthdays or other celebrations. Other times when calories frequently become figments of our imagination? Traveling, eating on the go and buffets for many women. Dannon Light & Fit 0% Plus is the first national nonfat yogurt offered in transparent packaging, which allows women to see what they are consuming and to take a step toward self-honesty in weight management. Poor Eating Habits "Incorporating healthy, nutrient-dense snacks into a balanced diet makes it easier to overcome common dieting pitfalls," explained Dr. Garcia. This is a challenge many women face, with nearly three quarters of women engaging in poor eating habits at some point to manage their weight:
Despite their not-so-diet-friendly eating habits, women do report that portion control and calorie content are some of the key factors they consider when looking for foods to keep them on track with weight management. In fact, 81 percent of women who manage their weight consider portion size the most important strategy. Options such as Light & Fit 0% Plus, offered in multi packs of four-ounce cups, allow women to keep portion size and calorie content in check, even with busy, hectic lifestyles. Additional factors that women address when managing their weight include:
While many women reported that consuming nutrient-rich foods is an important way to manage their weight, a full 42 percent showed that they had a difficult time identifying these types of foods that also have reduced calories and fat. "It's great to be able to point my clients to foods that are both healthy and nourishing," said Dr. Garcia. "It is possible to manage one's weight and continue to take in all of the essential nutrients a healthy body needs, and snacking on healthy, nutrient-rich items such as Light & Fit 0% Plus is an easier way to do so. " With so much apparent confusion in the marketplace, women can now trust a product that will provide some nutrients and a great taste with reduced calories and no fat. Dannon Light & Fit 0% Plus helps women take the guesswork out of weight management and invites them to feel good about consuming nutrient-dense foods every day. 1About the Survey On behalf of Dannon Light & Fit, StrategyOne, an applied-research consulting firm conducted a custom, national telephone survey among 2,041 American adults which included 1,026 women and 1,015 men. Interviews were implemented via telephone from August 16, 2007 through August 21, 2007 using the field services of Opinion Research Corporation (ORC). ORC uses a rigorous methodology including random digit dialing and computer-assisted telephone interviewing. The margin of error for the total sample of Americans (2,041) is ± 2.2%. 2Source: NutritionData.com. 3Source: USDA and IOM data. About The Dannon Company, Inc. The Dannon Company is America's founding national yogurt company and continually leverages its expertise to develop and market innovative cultured fresh dairy products in the United States. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Dannon has plants in Minster, OH, Fort Worth, TX, and West Jordan, UT. The company produces and sells approximately 100 different types of flavors, styles and sizes of cultured fresh dairy products. Dannon is owned by Groupe Danone, one of the world's leading producers of packaged foods and beverages, and Dannon is the top-selling brand of yogurt products worldwide, sold under the names Dannon and Danone. With a strong commitment to high-quality, wholesome, nutritious and innovative products, The Dannon Company is committed to encouraging healthy eating and living. This commitment is also illustrated through The Dannon Company's support of the Dannon Institute, an independent, non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting research, education, and communication about the links between nutrition, diet and health. For more information, please visit www.dannon.com. |
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