Most people characterize their diet over the past year as pretty healthy, according to a consumer reports poll. But delve deeper into the survey's findings, and it seems we may be fooling ourselves.
"We asked people what steps they're taking to eat well and control their weight. It turns out that only 15 percent are counting calories, which is actually a key strategy for losing weight," Nancy Metcalf said.
In fact, the poll found most people don't have an accurate take on calorie counting.
"We asked people which had more calories, a Dunkin Donuts glazed donut or a Dunkin Donuts plain bagel. 75 percent got it wrong," Metcalf said.
The doughnut actually has 260 calories, the bagel 320 calories. And are there more calories in 20 M&M's or an ounce of pretzel sticks?
Actually the M&M's have 68 calories. That ounce of pretzel sticks - a hundred calories.
"Even people who described themselves in our poll as watching what they eat didn't necessarily make good choices," Metcalf said.
About 30 percent who say they carefully limit sugar down a sugar-sweetened drink most days. And 10 percent who say they strictly limit their fat, had bacon or another fatty meat for breakfast.
Consumer Reports' survey also found 78 percent of Americans eat breakfast. That's important because eating breakfast has been shown to keep your weight under control.
And - nearly 60 percent of those polled said they eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. And they're choosing whole grains instead of white bread and white rice.
