Study Finds Most Americans Overestimate Their Nutrition Knowledge

A new study has uncovered a surprising truth about how Americans view their nutritional knowledge: while many people are confident they understand the basics of healthy eating, most are missing key information about what’s really in their food. This mismatch between confidence and knowledge may be one of the biggest barriers to improving public health outcomes.

A Widespread Misunderstanding

According to recent research, 81% of Americans believe they have a good handle on nutrition. However, the data shows otherwise—91% of those surveyed couldn’t accurately report how much protein, sugar, fiber, carbohydrates, or sodium they consume each day.

“This isn’t just about reading food labels,” says Andrea J. Lattanzi, President of Innate Wellness. “It’s about giving people the tools to make better choices for their long-term health. Without a solid grasp of nutritional basics, even well-intentioned decisions can backfire.”

Many people are still relying on outdated advice or are swayed by misleading food marketing. Buzzwords like “low-fat” or “natural” often lead consumers to believe a product is healthy when that might not be the full story.

The Impact of Poor Nutrition on Health

When our diets lack balance, it can lead to a cluster of conditions including:

• Elevated blood pressure

• High blood sugar levels

• Excess abdominal fat

• Abnormal cholesterol levels

These symptoms often occur together and make people far more vulnerable to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Collectively, this is known as metabolic syndrome—and it affects nearly one-third of American adults.

The good news? A change in diet can prevent, reduce, or even reverse many of these conditions. But without reliable information, Americans struggle to take the first step.

“People aren’t neglecting their health on purpose,” Lattanzi adds. “They’re doing their best with the information they have. But unfortunately, that information is often incomplete or wrong—and that leads to inflammation, poor metabolic function, and long-term health issues.”

A Personalized Approach to Better Nutrition

To help close this knowledge gap, Innate Wellness offers the “Eat Well, Feel Great!” program. This course teaches nutrition in a realistic, easy-to-understand format that acknowledges every person’s path to better health is different.

Led by nutritionist and certified health coach Jackie Furlong, the program includes nine video modules. Jackie brings a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and multiple certifications, including First Line Therapy, the American Fitness Professionals Association, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Health coaches and holistic wellness experts see this nutrition confusion firsthand. One common example? People thinking they’re eating healthy by grabbing a low-fat muffin and a glass of juice—when in reality, they may be consuming more sugar than a candy bar. Once clients understand these nutrition fundamentals, they feel equipped to make better choices every day.

Simply telling people to “eat better and move more” isn’t enough. What’s needed is practical guidance—tools that help decode labels, create balanced meals, and avoid being misled by healthwashing.

Making Nutrition Work in Real Life

Real nutrition education isn’t about strict rules—it’s about empowering people to make consistent, informed choices. It’s about progress, not perfection.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to nutrition,” says Lattanzi. “We tailor our approach to meet each client’s unique goals, lifestyle, and health background. With resources like the Food Health Score, we make it easier to apply what you learn to real-world eating.”

The core message? When people truly understand how certain foods support or harm their health, they’re more likely to make positive changes—naturally and confidently.

Start With the Basics—For Free

Small, informed changes can create major shifts in well-being. As part of National Nutrition Month, Innate Wellness is offering complimentary access to the first two modules of its “Eat Well, Feel Great!” course. These initial lessons introduce you to Jackie Furlong and the program framework, while Nutrition 101 lays a solid foundation for making healthier food decisions. You’ll learn to spot false or outdated nutrition myths—and start your journey toward real, lasting wellness.