Healthy eating index

The Healthy Eating Index is estimated to shrink 0.6% to reach 62.9% in 2025, reflecting ongoing pressures on diet quality in the United States. Despite growing public health initiatives and increasing awareness of nutrition-related diseases, diets are still influenced by the prevalence of processed snack foods and fast food options. Elevated food prices, particularly for fruits and vegetables, continue to be a significant barrier to healthy eating, contributing to sustained declines in the index in recent years. Aggressive marketing and a variety of unhealthy products have also contributed to a shift in consumer preference toward less nutritious options.

Between 2020 and 2025, the index declined by 0.6% percentage points, from 64.9% to an estimated 62.9%. This trend is attributed to multiple factors, including volatile produce prices because of adverse weather in regions like Florida and the Midwest. Rising costs led consumers to reduce their intake of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, spikes in grain prices, driven by demand for plant-based biofuels, have increased overall food costs, prompting consumers to opt for more affordable yet less nutritious options. The COVID-19 pandemic also influenced eating patterns, as remote work and limited access to healthy foods led to increased snacking and consumption of processed foods. Although restrictions eased after 2021, snack foods remained popular due to product innovation and effective advertising.

Countervailing factors have limited the decline of the index. Public health awareness efforts educated consumers about the risks of high sugar and fat intake, prompting reductions in corn syrup consumption. The adoption of low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets influenced habits, increasing meat demand. However, these categories already had high consumption levels, producing a mixed impact on dietary health.

Over the years to 2025, changing consumer preferences, food price inflation, weather events, and pandemic disruptions led to a reduction in the Healthy Eating Index. While efforts to promote healthier lifestyles persisted, they were largely offset by macroeconomic and social trends favoring unhealthy foods.