Eating Out Leaves Aussies Feeling Guilty

If dining out or eating on-the-go leaves you feeling guilty, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, up to 55% of Australians are experiencing ‘post meal regret’, and for 3 million Aussies these feelings of guilt occur most of the time after dining out.

The “Jamaica Blue Healthy Eating Study”, conducted by Galaxy Research reveals:

●      Women (61%) are more likely than men (48%) to feel guilty about the food they have eaten while dining out;

●      Younger Australians 18-34 years (68%) are more likely to experience post-meal regret, compared with those 35-49 years (57%) and those 50 years and older (44%).

To help combat this phenomenon of “guilty-eating”, Jamaica Blue introduced its Signature Harvest Collection nationally this month. Every recipe in the range has been developed in close consultation with Food & Nutrition Australia to ensure it reflects the latest evidence around healthy eating with a strong use of fresh, natural produce.

When it comes to health claims being made by manufacturers 9 in 10 Australians (89%) are skeptical about the veracity of these claims. 35% of respondents are distrusting of marketing materials that lack research or an independent endorsement. Others call out ‘low fat’ food claims (53%) and conflicting information about specific foods (45%) as cause for concern.

Reflecting on the prevalence of guilty-eating, Drew Eide Brand Manager for Jamaica Blue, says demand for healthy food is clearly front of mind amongst the majority of Australians. “Over 80% of respondents place high importance on healthy options being available in cafés and restaurants,” says Drew.

“90% of respondents feel strongly that restaurants and cafés have a public responsibility to provide healthy choices, so I’m really proud that Jamaica Blue is quite literally coming to the table with our Signature Harvest Collection.”

Sharon Natoli Director at Food & Nutrition Australia, has further thrown her support behind the initiative too, saying it’s a positive step forward to provide the healthy food choices that Australians are demanding from their food providers.

The Signature Harvest Collection is available in all Jamaica Blue Cafés nationally. Visit www.jamaicablue.com.au for more information.

*The 2016 Jamaica Blue Healthy Eating Study is an online survey conducted by Galaxy Research in November 2016. n=1,000.