March 27, 2008

US witness upward trend in meat grilling
 

A recent survey revealed that grilling is becoming popular among Americans who are adopting a healthier way of eating their food.

The survey reported that 31 percent of respondents are grilling more meat than a year ago because they are trying to eat healthy.

About 40 percent said they grill lean meats, 38 percent grills more vegetables, 34 percent grills more poultry and 22 percent grills more fish than a year ago. Only 6 percent of respondents are grilling more meat substitutes.

About 81 percent of respondents said that hotdogs are the easiest to grill while 44 percent and 38 percent nominated fish and shellfish respectively as the most challenging.

The survey said 24 percent of respondents would like to grill beef roasts better, while 20 percent wants to grill beef brisket better. These were followed by whole chicken at 19 percent, and pork roast/tenderloin at 16 percent.

About 57 percent of respondents said they grill throughout the year, with 71 percent saying that they grill at least once a week, and 47 percent said they grill at least a few times per week. The last marks a 4 percent increase from last year's 43 percent.

About 95 percent of respondents said they grill dinner regularly, followed by 37 percent of regular lunch grilling. Only 2 percent of respondents grill breakfast or brunch regularly.

Major holidays are popular grilling days too, with the lowest at 45 percent on Mother's Day and the highest at 86 percent on Independence Day.

The 19th Annual Weber GrillWatch Survey is by Weber-Stephens Products Co, but was conducted by Greenfield Online to ensure non-bias statistics. All survey respondents are over 21 years old and own a griller or smoker, and balanced demographically across the US.