91Èȱ¬

Fuelled by concerns about expanding waistlines and shrinking budgets, British households are rejecting red meat in favour of more vegetables and fish, according to new research from 91Èȱ¬ Good Food magazine.

The survey of 91Èȱ¬ Good Food magazine readers found that two thirds are now making a conscious effort to eat healthily all the time, with just under half boosting their vegetable consumption in the past year. In the same period 44 per cent have cut back on red meat, while fish suppers have become more frequent.

In a knock-on effect from the credit crunch, 43 per cent stated that household budget pressure on was a major reason for cutting back red meat. However, for nearly three quarters of respondents, health and weight triggered this change, with 15 per cent concerned about animal welfare and 1 in 10 stating environmental concerns.

When it comes to the gender breakdown, women worry more about how their food habits add up, with 54 per cent of women very concerned about healthy eating compared to 41 per cent of men. However good habits often go out of the window at the weekend, with a third of respondents only eat healthily during the week.

Good Food editor Gillian Carter says: "It's encouraging to see how many people are making an effort to embrace healthy eating. One of the reasons we provide a nutritional breakdown on our recipes – including fat and salt levels as well as calories – is to allow readers to make informed choices about what to cook at home."

Good Food magazine recipes are labelled to show whether they are 'low fat', 'good for you', 'heart healthy' or 'superhealthy'. This month's issue includes a series of super healthy suppers. To celebrate the start of summer, the Good Food team has created a special collection of brand-new recipes using the freshest fruit and vegetables.

June’s Good Food magazine is on sale now priced at £3.20.

NOTES TO EDITORS
About Good Food magazine
719 members of 91Èȱ¬ Good Food magazine's online reader panel responded to the survey, which took place between 17th and 24th March 2009. The reader panel is made up of readers of 91Èȱ¬ magazines who were contacted by email. 91Èȱ¬ Good Food magazine is the market leading food title with 359,772 monthly readers.

Toby Hicks