NYHACK - by Zoya Gervis
NEWS COPY - WITH VIDEO & INFOGRAPHIC
A teaspoon of honey, a swig of vinegar or maybe just dancing while cleaning the house - Americans carry out nearly 20,000 'health hacks' in their lifetime, according to new research.
A study examining the various things Americans do to feel healthy found the average person attempts six 'hacks' a week to boos their health and save time.
Over a lifetime, that mounts up to 18,720 little hacks people do in a bid to feel on form.
What are these little health hacks that Americans can’t seem to get enough of? Simply eating more fruits and vegetables ranked as our number one health act– with seven in 10 revealing this is their go-to move when needing to feel healthier.
The study conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Cece’s Veggie Co. looked into the little health hacks of 2,000 Americans and found that limiting sugar intake, buying more produce at the grocery store, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and carrying around a reusable water bottle all cracked the top five.
The study revealed that feeling the need to tweak a diet was a consistent theme, with 14 food and drink hacks appearing in the top 20 list.
But it’s not just about what people eat and drink. In fact, 28 percent of Americans reveal that they make sure to turn off their phone before going to bed as a healthy way to ensure they get more sleep and are rested the following day.
When quizzed on other tips and tricks they do to keep fit, Americans named a daily teaspoon of honey, shopping on the outer aisles of the grocery store and limiting themselves to one coffee a day among their little secrets.
Other healthy hacks included parking far away from the store, making laundry and chores more labor intensive and having a separate fridge or cabinet for unhealthy food.
However, food was still a top priority – especially when it came to finding easy, simple, and quick solutions for Americans’ food dilemmas. In fact, 35 percent admitted to having tricks to help them eat better.
Although three in five admit to not eating as many greens as they should, that doesn’t mean they aren’t trying to incorporate more into their lives -four in five have actively tried to up their fruit and vegetables intake in the past.
The research also unearthed that it’s not until age 41 when the average American finally decides to take their health seriously.
For 65 percent of Americans, this mindset shift usually happens after experiencing a particular instance when they’ve had to take their health more seriously.
As a result, Americans are looking for ways to “healthify” their meals. Two in five have attempted to create healthy versions of their favorite comfort foods.
Some of these creative creations include healthy burgers, scrumptiously good-for-you pizza, and deceptively guilt-free mac n’ cheese.
“Health hacks will only becomes habits if they taste good,” said Mason Arnold, founder and Veggie Nerd of Cece’s Veggie Co. “The results pointed to a trend in Americans wanting to be more and more healthy, and even finding creative ways to make their favorite foods better for them. We at Cece’s believe that eating healthy and eating food that tastes good don’t have to be mutually exclusive anymore”
But why are Americans choosing to make healthier choices – particularly when it comes to the food they eat? Wanting to feel better (71 percent), wanting to live a long life (59 percent), and wanting to lose weight (52 percent) landed in the top three.
Other notable mentions for making healthy choices included feeling better when eating healthier, having health issues, and having their doctor tell them to get healthier.
With a desire get become healthier, Americans are turning to health-boosting activities to help them live a healthier lifestyle.
For 66 percent of Americans, eating a salad is the simplest, easiest, and most convenient way to boost their health.
Another 59 percent incorporate fruits and veggies into their meals as often as they can while two in five are taking nutritional supplements in an attempt to boost their health.
Top 10 Most Common 'Health Hacks' for Americans
Eating more fruits and vegetables 71%
Limiting sugar intake 54%
Buying more produce at the grocery store 53%
Taking the stairs instead of the elevator 46%
Carrying around a reusable water bottle 44%
Meal prep 37%
Making smoothies/juices 35%
Drinking more green tea 32%
Turning off my phone before bed 28%
Having frozen fruit as a sweet treat instead of ice cream 26%
Healthy Hacks Americans Swear By:
Leave a piece of your meal on the plate always
Park far away from the store entrance and walk
Dance while cleaning
Drink apple cider vinegar and water
Limit to one coffee per day
Keep all unhealthy food in another cupboard/fridge
Don’t eat after 8pmWalk up and down the stairs
Make desserts out of vegetables
Add red pepper flakes to food
Fold one item of clothing at a time during laundry
Put honey in coffee instead of cream or sugar
Walk around while you are talking on the phone
Try to shop on the outside of the grocery store
Have a teaspoon of honey each morning
Sit on the edge of the bed and take deep breaths each day
Wash and cut vegetables in advance so they can be snacked on
ENDS