It comes as the Big Issue publishes its special new year’s health and fitness issue of the magazine, packed with tips and advice on being your healthiest in 2026.
It includes tips from top athletes, an 80-year-old personal trainer, a sleep expert and more, alongside interesting insights on the latest trends and fads in the health and fitness industry.
BBC Good Food’s survey found that more than a quarter of UK adults (26%) believe that nutritional advice is often confusing or overwhelming. Meanwhile, one in five people (21%) do not know which sources to trust.
Nearly a quarter of people (24%) said they would welcome clearer, more straightforward guidance.
Cost is the biggest barrier to eating healthily, with 37% of respondents saying the price of healthier food options is too high. This is hitting families the hardest, with 18% of parents choosing cheaper, less nutritional food due to rising costs.
Emma Hartfield, health editor at Good Health, which is Good Food’s health section, said: “Our research clearly shows that people, especially the young, are overwhelmed and confused by the sheer volume of conflicting nutritional advice online. When one in five adults don’t know who to trust, and social media is trumping health professionals, it’s clear a crisis of confidence exists.”
Hartfield suggested that people could use in-season frozen vegetables and tinned or dry pulses, which can be “some of the most affordable, nutrient-dense foods available”.
Good Health is launching a science-backed, expert-led content series for January called ‘Feel Good From the Inside Out’ helping people boost their health by encouraging adding more plants and fibre into everyday eating.
“By filling our plates with more of these, we can boost our fibre intake and lower bills – crucial when stats show the country is overwhelmingly fibre deficient,” Hartfield added.
“Good Health will cut through the noise and misinformation to provide practical, evidence-based guidance, helping everyone access clear, reliable information to achieve their health goals. We’re flipping the script to say January shouldn’t be about restriction and dieting, it’s about feeling better, adding not taking away, and focusing on a happy gut.”
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more.
Change a vendor’s life this winter.
Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – and always take the magazine. It’s how vendors earn with dignity and how we fund our work to end poverty.
You can also support online with a vendor support kit or a magazine subscription. Thank you for standing with Big Issue vendors.
