U.S. Hispanics perceive healthy foods as less tasty

U.S. Hispanics, particularly those foreign-born and Spanish-language dominant, claim to know more about nutrition than most people, but define nutrition in terms of quality as well as quantity, according to The NPD Group, a market research company. Filling and eating everything on-a-plate conveys that a person “eats well” and a nutritious meal was served, which is a symbol of good health among Spanish-language dominant and foreign-born U.S. Hispanics, according to insights shared in a recently released NPD study on U.S. Hispanics’ food and beverage consumption patterns.

U.S. Hispanics’ pride in their cooking, emphasis on traditional flavors and ensuring the food they feed their families is nutritious, shapes perceptions that healthy foods aren’t as tasty or as nutritious, according to NPD’s It's Mealtime with U.S. Hispanic reports. Forty-six percent of Spanish-language dominant Hispanics feel that almost everything that is very good for you doesn’t taste very good. However, proportions change as Hispanics acculturate. For example, 31 percent of bilingual Hispanics and only 11 percent of English dominant Hispanics agree.

“Food and beverages play a central role in the preservation of Hispanic culture and reconnection for family; as a result, Hispanics view mealtime, nutrition, and healthy eating differently than non-Hispanics,” says Terry Soto, president and CEO of About Marketing Solutions, Inc., who consulted with NPD on the development of the It’s Mealtime with U.S. Hispanics report. “Going for seconds is encouraged and welcomed, and conveys that a person ‘eats well’ and has a good appetite, which is a symbol of good health.”

The NPD report, which includes information from NET® Hispanic, a year-long study on the eating behaviors of U.S. Hispanics by level of acculturation, finds that the effect of Hispanics’ attitudes about nutrition and healthy eating are reflected in weight and health issues, particularly among Spanish-dominant U.S. Hispanics.

The researchers indicate that bilingual nutritional information on products and in-store will help, but it’s also important to keep in mind less-acculturated Hispanics’ attitudes that healthy isn’t tasty or in some cases as nutritious.

Source:  NPD Group, U.S. Hispanics Define Nutrition in Terms of Quality and Quantity and Perceive Healthy Foods as Less Tasty, Reports NPD, October 8, 2012.