Health and Wellness Review

When we asked which food group was your favorite, the answer was clear: people prefer meat! (And poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans and nuts, which are included in the same category.)

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When we asked people if they preferred cats or dogs, it was a clear victory for Team Canine. Fully 60% said dogs, while only 35% went for cats. (Another 6% said neither.)

Men and women liked dogs at the same rate, but men were far more likely to prefer going pet-free.

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When we asked people how many servings of fruits and vegetables they eat daily, the average answer was 2-3.

"They are great! I love love love my fruits and vegetables. I make sure I eat them on purpose," said one respondent.

“I hardly eat fruits,” another answered honestly. “I’m trying to eat more veggies, but I have them about once every two or three days.”

"I don't care much for fruit," said someone else. "I enjoy eating vegetables more but they're pretty pricey and don't last long."

When asked about the H1N1 vaccine, 56% of respondents said they plan to get it this fall, while 18% aren't sure and 26% plan to skip it. However, half worry about it having been adequately tested.

When asked about potential concerns, here's what people had to say:

• 49% worry it may not have been adequately tested.
• 27% are concerned that it contains mercury.
• 25% are concerned about the price.
• 19% worry it may require time-consuming multiple injections.

"I'd just rather other people be test dummies first," said one woman. "My body is not available to financially support the pharmaceutical industry to use as a guinea pig for experimental testing," agreed another.

Here are some more comments:

• "It is an attempt to make a lot of money by Big Pharma. Swine flu doesn't seem to be any more deadly than any regular flu. Vaccines contain many harmful elements which can be worse than the flu."
• "I hope Medicare will pay for it, I'm assuming they will since they pay for regular flu vaccines."
• "I hope it works.  It should be given to young school age children and older adults first.  It should not be so expensive that people who want it can't afford it."
• "I think it's hype to get the government involved in yet another aspect of our lives AND hype to get the medical/pharmaceutical companies or whoever will profit from this some money."
• "Please ask the manufacturers to stop putting mercury in all flu vaccines. I have previously been contaminated with mercury, and I have had to have it medically removed. Why would I now want to put more back in my body?"
• "Who knows what the end results of all of these new vaccines will be on our bodies in years to come."
• "I don't think it is necessary and has more potential harm than benefit."

Three out of four people in this survey said they usually eat breakfast. Many feel that a morning meal gives them energy throughout the entire day and prevents unhealthy snacking. But some people just don’t have the time or the appetite for food in the morning.

Here are some comments from people who skip breakfast:

• "I have never had a desire for food first thing in the morning."
• "If I eat breakfast, I am hungry all day."
• "Breakfast always made me feel sick. so no breakfast works for me. I am more of a brunch person.  I do have a cup of coffee in the morning."
• "I am a single parent , I have to get my child ready, make sure he eats, make my lunch, by that time it is time to go,,,, there is not enough time for me in the morning."
• "I do drink a slim fast every morning for the protein."

And here are some comments from people who make sure to eat a morning meal:

• "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."
• "I always, always eat a healthy breakfast.  I make sure to have some sort of protein or I will 'crash' soon after.
• "I can't think without breakfast."
• "If I think I am too busy to stop and eat breakfast I run out of energy early and always overeat."
• "I have to eat breakfast in order to take my medicine!"
• "People that goes without breakfast tend to have a mid morning slump or burning in the stomach."
• "For me it helps so I do not get headaches/migraines!"
• "I used to skip breakfast & go for the coffee then hit the snack machine late morning when I got shaky.  Now I find that eating a bowl of oatmeal & some fruit plus coffee tides me over to lunch.  I only wish I could experience the same hunger satisfaction in late afternoon and beyond.  That's when I can't seem to satisfy cravings.  Any ideas on how to carry over the same breakfast effect?"

In this survey about sunscreen, one third of respondents said they only wear sun protection when at the beach or pool. Another 29% apply sunblock when they will be outside for a while.

At the extremes, 19% say they wear it every day, while 17% say they never do.

"People need to get over their prejudices on being pale," declared one woman. "Pale skin is by far the most beautiful skin!"

"If sunscreen wasn't so messy, I would wear it more often," said one person. Agreed another, "I do not like sunscreen, as it is very greasy."

Many people, particularly women, use daily moisturizers, and some of these products include UV protection. Said one woman, "I wear stuff on my face with sunscreen in it everyday, but only wear it elsewhere when at the beach or pool."

America's love affair with coffee is still going strong! In this survey, 60% of respondents picked coffee over tea.

Only 37% say they prefer tea, and 3% could do without either caffeinated beverage.

Interestingly, men and women voted exactly the same way in this survey. While there's a certain stereotype of a dainty tea-drinking woman, that's hardly universal. "More and more women come in and order triple shots of espresso," said a coffee shop owner.

"People, don't forget your morning coffee!" said one enthusiast. "It's good for you."

Here are some more comments in the caffeine wars:

• "I'd love to get into the habit of drinking tea, for health reasons, but it hasn't happened yet."
• "Coffee has a nicer taste. Tea isn't strong enough."
• "Coffee causes me stomach pain."
• "I like coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.  I *need* the coffee in the morning, but can do without the tea in the afternoon."
• "Tea quenches your thirst better, and hot tea is so relaxing to drink."
• "I actually like them both, but I enjoy tea more during the winter."

When we asked which sweetener you prefer, the response was clear: Over 40% of respondents picked Splenda®.

The next most popular option was sugar, selected by 19% of respondents. Another 12% say they use honey or other natural sweeteners, and 6% go without.

But over half of people chose an artificial sugar substitute. Splenda® (sucralose), in its yellow packet, got 41% of the vote. Equal® (also known as aspartame or NutraSweet®), in the blue packet, pulled in 13%, and the pink packets of Sweet'N Low® (saccharine) got 8%.

"High fructose corn syrup is poison," declared one woman. "I've always believed that using artificial sweeteners was tantamount to poisoning yourself," said a man.

"When I tell people I use Splenda, I am looked at as if I am wearing a scarlet letter," fretted one woman, while another said, "I like to stick with the natural stuff."

Our survey asked a straightforward question: Which do you prefer – beer or wine?

Maybe the stereotype of the beer-guzzling American isn't so accurate! In this poll, fully 46% of respondents picked wine, while only 35% selected beer.

It's also notable that 1 in 5 people responded, "No thanks – no alcohol for me."

"I take medication that prevents me from drinking alcohol," said one man. "It is not a good Christian witness to believers and nonbelievers."

"I do not drink much," mentioned one woman, "But my husband used to make wine and it was great! Especially dandelion wine."

Not surprisingly, this survey revealed some gender differences. Women were more likely to prefer wine, while men were more inclined to opt for beer.

"I find wine to be very relaxing…" said one woman.

"Beer just tastes better, especially on a hot day," said a man. "Ah! Good to the last drop."

Almost two-thirds of respondents (61%) picked butter over margarine in this survey. Only 36% picked margarine. A scant 3% chose neither, having some baffling objection to buttery deliciousness.

"Butter tastes better, is more healthy, cooks better, and is made in a cow, not in a factory," said one butter enthusiast.

Men were more likely than women to choose butter. "I like butter but use margarine due to calories and price," admitted one woman.

Here's what else people had to say about the butter/margarine issue:

• "Any artificial product can have hidden side effects. Margarine may reduce cholesterol but still harm your body. Same with sugar substitutes."
• "Butter tastes so much better, and there has been so much controversy over margarine."
• "I love butter but am afraid of the cholesterol."
• "The cholesterol conundrum has been around a long time…  One dose of Lipitor and I felt as though I'd been hit by an 18 wheeler. My doctor tried 2 other statins, and I had the same experience. I am 70 and am in excellent shape, so please pass the butter."