Just how often did we hear that from our parents’ mouths as they were trying to teach us how to grow into smart, strong and healthy young adults?

If your home was like mine more times than not.

Which is why behavior disconnects uncovered in the 2007 International Food Information Council Foundation study of how we consumers approach overall diet, physical activity and weight is so important.

60% of Americans who are trying to lose weight said they actively try “to reduce the number of calories” they consume. However, only 11% correctly estimate the recommended number of calories per day for a person of their age and weight, and just 31% properly comprehend that calories from any source contribute equally to potential weight gain. Blame it on advertising, portion size, even the size of the plate if you will – but the truth is that we have little relation to our food. Unlike previous generations who actually grew at least some of their foods, we have millions of people who haven’t a clue to proper portion sizes.

It's all about fat – or is it? The awareness of Trans fat grew to 87% (from 81% in the 2006 study). 63% say they use Trans fat information on the Nutrition Facts Panel of packages (up from 49%), and 75% say they limit their Trans fat consumption (up from 54%). But even with all the news that Trans fats have made, the awareness of the health benefits of mono- and poly-unsaturated fats (mono found in nuts and oils, poly found in fish and grains) has declined in the past year, and the number of Americans mistakenly trying to consume less of the latter has risen to 42% (up from 33%). Overall, there is good news though, as 70% said they are trying to eat less of the saturated fats (an increase of almost 15% from the previous year).

Quite possibly the second most uttered edict from our parents was that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” and while 90% of the surveyed consumers agreed - only 49% actually eat breakfast seven days a week.

Most disturbing news from the report is that 58% said that they were “extremely/somewhat satisfied” with their health, that group added to the 39% who indicated their health is “excellent/very good” which begs the question: so why are 119 million adult Americans (64.5 % of the group) overweight or obese?

I can only guess it comes back to my original premise, that we have lost touch with our foods. We no longer know how to cook, identify or celebrate food, and as a result that magic “satisfaction” switch inside our brains just never seems to make the connection.