By SmashMeals Editorial — 2026-10-07 — Health & Nutrition
More Americans are following specific eating patterns, but fewer describe their health positively. In its October 7 release, the International Food Information Council reported that 64% followed a diet or eating pattern in the past year. Only 40% rated their health excellent or very good, down from 2025.
High-protein eating remained the most common pattern, reported by 27%, compared with 23% last year.
In the release, Kris Sollid, RD, IFIC’s senior director of research and consumer insights, characterized food-buying decisions as “a reflection of the practical tradeoffs people make amid limited time, tight budgets, and competing priorities.”
What the survey can tell us
The survey methodology describes an online survey of 3,005 U.S. adults ages 18 to 80, conducted March 22 through April 8, 2026. Results were weighted to reflect national demographics. These are self-reported answers collected in the spring, rather than clinical health measurements taken this week.
The findings do not establish that following a diet caused anyone’s health to worsen. They also cannot tell an individual which eating pattern will work best for them. A national survey is useful context, but it cannot replace a personal assessment.
Make room for an ordinary week
For someone planning meals around work and everything else on the calendar, the practical question is smaller: what can you realistically get on the table? A plan that assumes an hour of cooking every night deserves another look if that hour rarely exists.
“Start with the meals that give you the most trouble during the week. You don’t have to change everything at once to make the cooking more manageable.” — Lew Kizer, SmashMeals
Start with the meals that are hardest to organize. That might be lunch between appointments or dinner after a late shift. Decide which ones you want to cook, which can use leftovers, and where a prepared meal would be useful. Then check the actual cost against your food budget before buying.
SmashMeals can fit into that prepared-meal part of the week, reducing the cooking needed for the meals you choose. That is a convenience benefit. This survey did not test SmashMeals or demonstrate that buying prepared meals improves health.
You can also keep the first change modest. Try planning a few difficult meals before rebuilding your entire routine. If you need help with a health condition or a specific nutrition goal, a qualified clinician or registered dietitian can help tailor the advice.
For days when you would rather leave the cooking to someone else, browse SmashMeals ordering and see what fits your week.
Sources & experts referenced
Sources are included for verification. No expert listed here endorses SmashMeals.