Brits embrace fruits and veggies but battle emotional eating habits

**Berlin (dpa/tmn)** – Starting the day with a thick layer of chocolate spread on toast or absentmindedly polishing off an entire bag of gummy bears at work: we all know these habits aren't exactly healthy. Yet many people cling to poor eating habits even when they'd like to change them—47 percent admit to recognizing this struggle in themselves. These findings come from a representative Forsa survey conducted on behalf of the AOK Federal Association, Germany's largest public health insurance provider.

**Fewer Sugary Drinks, More Vegetables: What's Working Well**

Still, many people are already making progress toward healthier eating. For instance, 75 percent of respondents say they always or often avoid sugar-sweetened beverages. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends consuming 1.5 liters of calorie-free or low-calorie drinks daily—water and unsweetened teas are ideal choices. For those who enjoy juice, dilution is key: the DGE advises mixing three parts water to one part juice. Similarly, nearly three-quarters of those surveyed (74 percent) report making a conscious effort to eat fruit and vegetables regularly. The DGE's guideline is five portions a day, with a simple rule of thumb: a single portion is roughly what fits in the palm of your hand.

**Healthier Choices Often Harder to Find**

So what's holding people back? A major obstacle is that unhealthy options are far more accessible outside the home. A striking 84 percent of respondents observe that nutritious foods are harder to come by at train stations, highway rest stops, and public squares than junk food. The same trend appears in cafeterias and university dining halls, where currywurst often outnumbers colorful salad bowls. Only 34 percent say their workplace, school, or university offers healthy meal options.

**Eating to Cope: One in Three Relates**

Emotions and deeply ingrained habits also undermine healthy eating. Some 36 percent admit to reaching for unhealthy foods when feeling sad or disappointed. Nearly as many—35 percent—frequently eat out of boredom or stress, even when they're not hungry. And more than half (51 percent) tend to snack while distracted by their phones, computers, or TV. This lack of mindfulness can dull the body's natural satiety signals, leading to overeating. Sometimes, though, the issue is simply a lack of nutritional knowledge—especially when it comes to weight loss. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (68 percent) believe exercise is the key to shedding pounds, when in fact diet plays a far more critical role. The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than the body burns.

The survey was conducted between August 21 and September 8, 2025, with 2,000 participants aged 14 and older.