According to the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) most recent survey, Americans are eating more vegetables, fish, chicken, and whole grain foods, while decreasing the amount of foods they eat containing trans fats. The ADA has been conducting "Nutrition and You" surveys since 1991. The objective of the surveys is to measure current attitudes and behaviors and trends toward diet and health.

Survey Demographics

"Nutrition and You: Trends 2011" included 754 adults ages 18 and older who are not working in the marketing or food industry. Respondents tended to fall into one of three consumer groups:

• I’m Already Doing It (42% of respondents) – These consumers feel maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are very important and do all they can to eat a healthy diet. This group skews female, is most apt to have someone in the household on a diet for medical reasons, and are more apt to use magazines for nutrition information. Sixty-two percent say nutrition is "very important".
• I Know I Should… (38% of respondents) – These consumers feel maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are very important but do not do all they can to eat a healthy diet. This group skews 35-65 with four or more people in the household. Forty-one percent say nutrition is "very important". They say they need "practical tips" to eat better, are more apt to see the benefits of organic foods, and are more apt to use the internet and magazines for nutrition information.
• Don’t Bother Me (20% of respondents) – These consumers do not feel diet and exercise are very important. This group skews male, 18-24 and less than college education. They’re the least likely to be married or living with a partner.

Reasons for Not Eating Healthier

Many respondents with children (42 percent of parents with children versus 49 percent overall) said they weren’t doing all they can to eat healthier because the demands of child care make better eating seem too inconvenient.

Other reasons for not eating healthier:

• I don’t want to give up the foods I like (89%)
• I am satisfied with the way I currently eat (75%)
• It takes too much time to keep track of my diet (62%)
• I need more practical tips to help me eat right (47%)
• I don’t know or understand the guidelines for diet and nutrition (40%)

Other Findings

Only 42% agreed with the statement, "I believe vitamin supplements are necessary to ensure good health."

Foods people are eating more of in the last five years (in order of % increase): Berries (48%), low-fat foods (43%), omega-3 fatty acids (39%), low-sugar foods (34%), low-sodium foods (31%), low-carbohydrate foods (28%), alternative sweeteners (27%), probiotics (19%), soy-based products or foods (16%), gluten-free foods (9%), foods containing trans fats (8%), and allergy-free foods (4%).

A Golden Opportunity for Distributors

This is both good news and bad news. The good news is, consumption of healthy foods is on the upswing. The bad news is, if only 42% of those surveyed are doing all they can to eat healthier and exercise, then 58% are falling short! Furthermore, a woeful 42% appreciate the value of vitamins and minerals in ensuring their good health.

These findings are precisely why consumers need the 90 Essential Nutrients! They represent a golden opportunity for you to educate your customers on the poor nutritional content of today’s foods and why they need these products from Youngevity:

Item #10245 – Healthy Start Pak^™ – Foundation nutrition to support a healthy lifestyle plus added support for cardiovascular, brain and eye health and strong bones and joints.* Each pak includes Beyond Tangy Tangerine® – 420g canister (1), E.F.A. Plus^™ (1), and Osteo-fx Plus^™ (1).

Item #10246 -Healthy Blood Sugar Pak^™ - All of the nutrition in our Healthy Start Pak^™ plus extra support for healthy blood sugar levels.* Each Pak includes Beyond Tangy Tangerine® – 420g canister (1), E.F.A. Plus^™ (1), Osteo-fx Plus^™ (1), and Slender FX Sweet Eze^™ (1)*.

Item #10247 – Healthy Bone and Joint Pak^™ – All of the nutrition in our Healthy Start Pak^™ plus extra support for healthy bones and joints. Each Pak includes Beyond Tangy Tangerine® – 420g canister (1), E.F.A. Plus^™ (1), Osteo-fx Plus^™ (1), Gluco Gel – 240 capsules (1) and CM Cream (1).*

Item #10248 – Healthy Digestion Pak^™ - All of the nutrition in our Healthy Start Pak^™ plus extra support for healthy digestion. Each Pak includes Beyond Tangy Tangerine® – 420g canister (1), E.F.A. Plus^™ (1), Osteo-fx Plus^™ (1), Ultimate Enzymes (1) and Ultimate Flora fx (1).*

Item #10249 – Healthy Brain and Heart Pak^™ - All of the nutrition in our Healthy Start Pak^™ plus extra support to promote healthy brain and cardiovascular function. Each Pak includes Beyond Tangy Tangerine® – 420g canister (1), E.F.A. Plus^™ (1), Osteo-fx Plus^™ , Ultimate E.F.A. Plus^™ (1) and Selenium (1).*

Until next week,

Best Wishes for Ultimate Health and Majestic Dreams!

Steve Wallach

CEO

AL International

Helping YOU Live Younger, Longer!

"Resolve Today to Make the Best Use of Tomorrow"

Source: www.eatright.org/nutritiontrends.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure any disease.

Five Tips for Staying Motivated

If you’re a one-person team operating out of a home office, staying motivated can sometimes be a challenge. Not only do you not have the person-to-person interaction and energy that happens in larger offices, it’s also all too easy to get sidetracked by household chores or other distractions.

If this sounds familiar, then here are a few tips to help you keep you stay on your path to success and wealth.

Tip # 1: Set boundaries

As the saying goes, "’tis better to work to live than to live to work." You no doubt became an independent business owner because you want the best life for yourself and your family. If that’s the case, then it’s absolutely crucial that you set clear boundaries between the two. Set regular work hours and ask your family to respect this time. It’s important that they recognize that your work is the same as it would be in an office across town.

Tip #2: Make a list, check it twice

Make a list of everything you need to accomplish each day, in order of priority. Being able to cross items off your list will give you a sense of accomplishment and this will keep you on track and motivated. Hold yourself accountable at the end of the day.

Tip #3: Signs of success

You’re your own boss, right? Remind yourself every day that you’re the important head of a growing enterprise by putting a sign on your office door – complete with the name of your business and title (Senior Executive Marketing Director, etc.)

Tip # 4: Keep your eyes on the prize

One of the most effective motivators in sports is to visualize yourself as a winner. By doing so, you take yourself psychologically from "wanting to win" to actually "being" a winner. The same goes for your business. Visualize what you want out of your business (a bigger home, college tuition for your kids, a new car, etc.) Many of you have done this "Dream Building" exercise – post it in your home or office area.

Tip # 5: Get social – network!

Where does it say you have to go it alone? Since more and more people are choosing to run their own home businesses, there are sure to be associations and groups of people who are facing the same issues and challenges that you are and who are willing to share best practices. And of course, there’s online social networking. Youngevity, for instance, has several Facebook groups that make it easier than ever to stay in touch with your peers. Get involved – it can be fun!

Vanessa Hunter

Vice President of Marketing

AL International