Spring Sparks Healthier Lifestyle Choices: New Study Sheds Light on Romanians’ Eating Habits

Spring—a season naturally associated with renewal and transformation—often brings a fresh wave of motivation to make constructive lifestyle changes. Many people feel inspired to move closer to their personal goals, especially in areas like nutrition, exercise, sleep, relationships, and career development.

A new study conducted by CIPRA (Center for Information, Risk Prevention and Analysis) in collaboration with Reveal Marketing Research takes a deeper look at one of these aspects: how Romanians perceive the quality of their diet and what changes they are willing to make to improve it.

According to the findings, 39% of respondents (an increase compared to the previous study) consider the quality of their diet to be good. Meanwhile, 53% rate it as average, and 7% believe their diet is of poor quality.

In terms of body image, 47% of participants are satisfied or very satisfied with their current weight, while 25% are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Moreover, 74% reported not having followed any diet in the six months prior to the survey. Among the 26% who did, only 12% did so based on a specialist’s recommendation.

Fasting was used by 14% of respondents, most commonly for a period of 1–3 weeks. Men were more likely than women to sustain the method for longer durations.

“In Romania, statistics show that more than half of the population struggles with weight issues, and the negative health impact on overweight or obese individuals is significant,” says Dr. Șerban Damian, sports nutritionist and CIPRA expert.

“Extra weight is often a result of an unhealthy diet combined with a sedentary lifestyle. A key issue is that even people who claim to eat well or feel satisfied with their weight can sometimes misjudge these factors. This is why regular check-ups and guidance from a medical professional are crucial—especially when choosing a diet, which needs to be tailored to each individual and supported by a long-term strategy,” he adds.

Daily Habits and Food Choices

According to the study, 54% of Romanians believe they follow a balanced diet and consume all food groups. Vegetables, fruits, and bakery products remain the most frequently consumed foods—78% report eating them daily or almost daily—followed by meat and fish (73%), dairy (68%), eggs (63%), and sweets (63%).

In addition, 20% of respondents frequently consume vegan products, 15% consume specialty items (e.g., gluten-free, lactose-free, sugar-free), and 14% often eat fast food (such as burgers and pizza).

Openness to Healthier Eating Habits

Sugar, baked goods, and meat top the list of foods perceived as harmful. The primary reason respondents would consider giving them up is health-related, with far fewer citing environmental, ethical, or financial motivations.

When asked which foods they would consider eliminating from their diets, respondents answered:

• Sugar – 55%
• Baked goods – 43%
• Meat – 28%
• Fish – 25%
• Dairy products – 23%
• Animal-based products in general – 23%

What Would Help Romanians Eat Better?

When asked what would most help them improve their diet, half of the participants (up from 36% in the previous study) said that being able to afford everything they want to buy would make the biggest difference.

Other helpful factors identified were:

• Easier access to healthy foods – 41%
• A detailed weekly meal plan – 36%
• Better knowledge about healthy eating – 31%
• More time to cook – 27%
• Avoiding fast/junk food – 20%

The CIPRA study also explores additional topics, such as the importance people place on daily meals, water consumption, food waste, impulsive shopping habits, and the consequences of poor dietary choices, including digestive issues, irritability, and fatigue.