Conscious eating – smart choices matter, not strict rules

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 07. 18. 11:23

Consumers still do not feel that the pressure of high food prices is easing – and this also strongly affects the possibilities of healthy eating – according to research conducted by Eisberg on Europion. According to the survey, the majority of Hungarians would like to eat more consciously: almost every second respondent admitted that they feel better physically when they eat healthily, and more than a third reported that they perform better during the day as a result. In practice, however, following a balanced diet is hindered by several factors: two-thirds (67%) of respondents believe that healthy foods are too expensive – this proportion was 63% last year – and a third also consider purchasing products of the right quality to be a challenge.

Although the rise in food prices has slowed down recently, products containing fresh, healthy ingredients are still not considered cheap. High prices make it difficult for many to eat consciously every day.

In addition to financial pressure, other obstacles also hinder implementation. A third of respondents (32%) believe that healthy foods are difficult to obtain, while 13% find them too complicated to prepare. The situation is further complicated by the lack of time: during the working day, six out of ten people (58%) can only spend 30 minutes at most on a meal. During this time, there are few opportunities to make conscious, healthy choices. Only one in ten (9%) people said that they do not experience any difficulty at all in implementing conscious eating.

Many people now not only believe in the connection between healthy eating and well-being, but also feel it. Almost half of respondents (45%) feel better physically when they pay attention to what they eat, and a third (35%) also perceive the positive effect in their performance during the day. The most common motivations are also disease prevention (42%) and weight loss (34%).

Based on this, it would be obvious to think that conscious eating is primarily a matter of determination. However, the research highlights that in fact, simple decision-making situations are the most conducive to healthier eating. Nearly a third (27%) of respondents eat more balanced meals when they don’t have to think about it too much, and another quarter (25%) say that their intention works when the right decision is already part of their daily routine.

More and more food industry players are recognizing this need and responding to it – and an innovation sector has now emerged that makes healthier eating accessible with quick, simple and smart solutions. Pre-packaged, ready-to-eat salads also reflect this approach.

This trend was also confirmed by previous research: the joint spring trade survey by Eisberg and Kantar also revealed that the choice of complex salad bowls is most often motivated by speed (53%), convenience (48%) and practicality (45%) – in other words, the simple aspects that make conscious eating truly accessible in everyday life.