A recent Pew Research Center survey paints a clear picture of how rising food prices and evolving lifestyles influence healthy eating in 2025. The findings show that taste, convenience, affordability, and health are all weighing into daily choices. For Thai readers, the study offers valuable parallels as Thailand faces similar nutrition challenges and ongoing public health campaigns.
As food prices rise, 90% of adults surveyed in the United States acknowledge that healthy food has become more expensive. About 70% say price increases make it harder to maintain a healthy diet, with lower-income individuals feeling the squeeze most. The study included 5,123 adults and highlights how affordability, access, and knowledge shape dietary health amid rising obesity, abundant delivery options, and shifting dietary guidance from social media influencers. The research is reported through national institutions and public health experts.
Thai readers will recognize shared concerns. Like the United States, Thailand is grappling with noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Economic pressures, the spread of convenience foods, and the popularity of food delivery have reshaped eating patterns. The survey’s themes about how affordability, access, and knowledge influence food choices are relevant as Thailand strengthens its public health campaigns promoting nutritious eating.
Key findings show that only about two in ten Americans rate their diets as extremely or very healthy, while roughly 59% describe them as somewhat healthy. One in five say their diets are not healthy. Older adults, higher earners, and more educated individuals tend to report healthier eating. Younger and lower-income groups face greater challenges.
Taste dominates food decisions in the United States, with about 83% saying it is extremely or very important. Cost is the next major factor, especially for lower-income people—about 75% say price matters most, compared with 54% of higher-income individuals. Healthiness ranks third, with just over half prioritizing it. Convenience is valued by nearly half, reflecting busy lifestyles.
These dynamics mirror Thailand’s reality, where urban living and rising affluence have increased reliance on convenience foods and dining out, though home cooking remains common. In the United States, nearly nine in ten adults prepare meals at home several times weekly, while only about 17% order takeout or use delivery services frequently, and 12% dine out regularly. Daily home cooking correlates with higher perceived diet healthiness.
The report also links the importance placed on health with actual diet quality. Among those who view healthy eating as very important, 35% describe their diets as very healthy. Among those who do not prioritize health highly, only 3% report very healthy diets. The trends are consistent across gender and income, though women generally weigh taste, cost, health, and convenience more heavily than men.
Rising prices are a real hurdle for many Americans. About 69% say it is harder to eat healthy due to higher costs, with the lowest income group feeling the impact most acutely—77% report greater difficulty, and nearly half say it’s a lot harder. Access to healthy foods remains reasonably good for most Americans, though gaps exist among Black, Hispanic, and rural populations.
Knowledge about healthy foods also varies. About half of Americans feel very or extremely confident in knowing which foods are healthy, with higher education correlating with greater confidence. Those who feel confident are more likely to report very healthy diets.
Experts interviewed for the report emphasize the need for affordable, accessible, and convenient healthy options to combat obesity and chronic disease. Policy makers in the United States stress actions to improve healthy food access and regulate food additives, highlighting public health risks if diets deteriorate.
Thailand can draw actionable lessons from these findings. The rising cost of fresh produce in urban centers like Bangkok echoes the U.S. experience. Thailand’s National Health Security Office has prioritized nutrition education, and school meal programs now include more fruits and vegetables to address childhood obesity. Still, disparities between urban and rural areas persist, and lower-income Thais face greater barriers to affordable, nutritious foods.
Thailand’s culinary heritage—rich in vegetables, grains, and fresh ingredients—has traditionally supported healthy diets. Yet globalization and changing lifestyles are pushing toward processed foods and sugary beverages. This increases urgency for public health interventions and nutrition education, especially for children and working adults.
Looking ahead, both the Pew study and Thai health authorities advocate making healthy food accessible, affordable, and appealing. Potential measures include taxes on sugary drinks, restrictions on harmful additives, subsidized fruits and vegetables, urban agriculture initiatives, and intensified public nutrition campaigns. Thailand can adapt successful elements from global strategies—clear nutrition labeling, robust local food networks, and targeted education programs—to strengthen public health.
For Thai readers, the takeaway is universal: economic pressures and busy lives make healthy eating challenging everywhere. Staying informed about local options for affordable fresh foods, prioritizing home-cooked meals when possible, and seeking trusted nutrition information can help families maintain healthier diets despite inflation and changing food environments. Policymakers, health educators, and community leaders should continue collaborating to ensure that nutritious options are accessible to all.
For more detailed information, refer to the Pew Research Center’s report on healthy eating and lifestyle trends.