Feeling tired during the day is a common symptom of people who experience poor sleep. (Credit: Nicoleta Ionescu/Shutterstock)
NEW YORK — Does your busy schedule leave you too tired to even feed yourself? In a revealing new survey, a staggering 77% of Americans admit there are days when they’re too exhausted to cook after work.
Researchers say the findings highlight the growing challenge of balancing busy schedules with maintaining a healthy diet in today’s fast-paced world. The survey, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Kevin’s Natural Foods, delved into the eating habits and challenges faced by 2,000 Americans. It paints a vivid picture of a nation struggling to find time for home-cooked meals amidst hectic lifestyles.
Perhaps most alarmingly, one-fifth of respondents say they’ve been so tired while attempting to cook that they’ve actually fallen asleep during food preparation. This startling statistic underscores the extreme fatigue many Americans are grappling with on a daily basis.
The poll also revealed that half of the surveyed Americans (51%) believe they’re busiest during weekdays. However, the grind doesn’t stop for many on weekends, with 38% claiming they’re equally busy all seven days of the week.
When it comes to meal preparation, certain days prove more challenging than others. Monday tops the list as the most difficult day to prepare a home-cooked meal (35%), followed by a tie between Wednesday and Friday (both at 29%).
The impact of busy schedules on diet is significant. For those who can be overwhelmed by their schedules, 40% acknowledged that it affects their diet, with 57% of those reporting a negative impact.
“We know how important it is for people to have access to healthy, convenient meal options that don’t compromise on taste or quality. We understand the barriers to healthy eating — and we want to help ease the way for people with almost any lifestyle, especially the busiest families, to have meal options that make healthy eating easier and more enjoyable,” says Becky Graham, Chief Marketing Officer at Kevin’s Natural Foods, in a statement.
When time is tight, many Americans turn to convenience meals. Sandwiches (42%), fast food (37%), and microwavable dinners (33%) top the list of go-to options. Despite 78% of respondents stating that eating healthy is important to them, 19% find themselves succumbing to the convenience of fast food chains at least once a day.
The survey also explored barriers to healthy eating. Cost emerged as the primary obstacle, with 41% citing rising prices as a deterrent. Lack of time to prepare healthy meals (26%) and difficulty finding healthy ingredients (19%) were also significant factors.
Interestingly, 74% of those surveyed expressed interest in eating a healthier diet if it were more convenient, suggesting a strong desire for accessible, nutritious meal options.
“Healthy eating should be easy for even the busiest families,” Graham concludes.
Survey methodology
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was commissioned by Kevin’s Natural Foods and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Aug. 5 to Aug. 12, 2024.
When there is a will there is a way.