Australians are on a quest for longevity, with many believing the secret to living to 100 lies in what’s on their plate, according to new research from nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal. Yet, while nearly 7 in 10 respondents believe fruits and vegetables will make them live to 100, most struggle to meet their daily recommended intake.

Despite widespread awareness of the link between diet and longevity, less than 5% of Australian adults meet the guidelines for recommended daily serves of fruit and vegetables, while many diets remain high in alcohol, takeaway food, and confectionery.

Based on the survey conducted by MyFitnessPal, the most popular foods Australians surveyed think will help them live to 100 include:

• Fruits and vegetables 
• Healthy fats (eg olive oil, avocado) 
• Lean protein (eg fish, legumes, tofu) 
• Whole grains 
• Blueberries and other antioxidant-rich berries.

“While it’s a positive sign that Aussies are aware of the correlation between fruit, vegetables, good fats and quality protein with living a long and healthy life – the key challenge often comes from maintaining a diet that integrates all these food groups consistently,” said Nutritionist, Longevity Expert and MyFitnessPal ambassador, Michaela Sparrow.

“Ensuring you are hitting your daily protein targets, starting from having a nutritious breakfast, free from pre-packed foods for example, is a great first step in building healthy habits that support good results in the long-term,” she added.

Persistent indulgences

Some habits, however, are simply too hard to give up. Coffee and chocolate topped the list of must-have treats, with 40% of Australians surveyed unwilling to forgo coffee and 39% determined to keep chocolate in their diets, regardless of any health impact. While many strive for better health and longevity, the findings highlight the gap between intention and action – reinforcing that for Australians surveyed, balance, not strict restriction, is the driving force behind their food choices.

The top 5 foods Australians surveyed would never give up include:

• Coffee (40%)
• Chocolate (39%)
• Cheese (29%)
• Eggs (28%)
• Chicken (28%).

Ms Sparrow says longevity shouldn’t be about cutting everything out.

“The goal ultimately isn’t to live simply on kale and water – it’s about developing habits and a way of eating you can actually sustain across the different stages of life; one that includes whole foods but still makes space for the occasional treat at times. Australians should strive to build consistency and better habits, not chasing perfection.”