The surprising results of an exclusive survey – L’Express

How to eat well? What foods and diets should be favored? In a country where cooking is raised to the rank of national heritage, these questions naturally occupy a central place. However, many of our fellow citizens are struggling to find reliable answers, and sometimes fall into false beliefs. This is what reveals The fourth edition of the barometer of critical thinking of the public establishment Universcience (Grouping of the City of Sciences and the Palais de la Découverte), in partnership with L’Express.

The survey, carried out by OpinionWay on a double sample, one of 2,000 people aged 18 to 65 and the other of 610 people aged 15 to 24, testifies to a growing concern for food. It also resonates with the recent adoption of the new Nutri-Score, this nutritional logo which aims to fight overweight, obesity and their associated diseases, validated despite the criticisms of the Minister of Agriculture.

Diets: fractures between generations, rural areas and large cities

“The results of the barometer show that there is a collective aspiration to pay attention to eating practices, which contributes to the expression of our French culture, but this desire goes hand in hand with a lack of benchmarks due in particular to the multiplication of sources of information”, notes Michel Dubois, director of the study group of the methods of the sociological analysis of the Sorbonne and member of the scientific committee of the barometer. The survey indicates that 72 % of French people like to cook, 75 % ensure the balance of their meals and 80 % systematically incorporate fruits and vegetables in their diet.

The study also reveals a clear sociological distinction: 56 %of respondents are described omnivores, eating everything, a stronger proportion in rural areas (62 %), while flexitarians (22 %), vegetarians (4 %) and vegan (4 %) are more represented in large cities (47 %cumulative). A generational fracture also appears on this subject: 25 % of 18-24 year olds declare themselves vegetarians or vegans (compared to only 4 % of the over 35s). 55 % of them motivate this choice by an environmental or ethical interest, such as the defense of animal welfare.

“We observe still a stability of behavior, since almost 80 % of respondents are omnivorous or flexitarian, analyzes Michel Dubois. And ethical or environmental reflections remain limited since only half of the respondents who have a particular diet declare themselves to be concerned with these questions.”

The French are mainly informed by those around them

“Tell me what you eat, I will tell you who you are,” wrote Brillat-Savarin. You should add today: “And tell me how you get information about what you eat.” Because in their search for information to eat well, the French use many sources: first those around (54 %), then the Internet outside social networks (50 %) and health professionals (30 %).

But it is undoubtedly the result on the confidence that is the most enlightening. Thus, if they do not consult them as a priority, respondents first believe doctors and dietitians (79 %). The credit granted to the entourage remains very strong (72 %), before public and health research organizations such as INSERM or Public Health France (71 %) and scientists (66 %). More worrying, 55 % believe that professionals in the alternative and alternative medicine are reliable, while these therapists are many to disinfuse. The stakeholders in the agrifood, themselves, inspire confidence only 28 % of respondents.

“It is a significant figure,” said Michel Dubois. Industrialists have a responsibility in this distrust and must make efforts if they want to regain the confidence of the general public. ” Finally, vegetarians and vegans prefer to rely on alternative sources such as openfoodfacts or yuka applications (74 %), to which they even trust more than health professionals (73 %).

56% of French people don’t really know who believe “

But if the French multiply their sources of information, 56 % of them do not really know who believe “. The 18-24 year olds seem even more lost, since they are 65 % to share this feeling. This uncertainty is reflected in the persistence of erroneous beliefs: 58 % of participants consider that a “detox cure” is effective in cleaning the body after excess; 37 % think that food supplements are to correct poor diet and 34 % believe that men need more red meat than women.

These beliefs are even more widespread among 15-24 year olds (respectively 65 %, 53 %and 46 %). In total, almost 80 % of respondents adhere to at least untruth over eating practices. Worse, some basic knowledge does not seem to be integrated. Only 36 % of respondents experience the recommendation of consuming at least five fruits and vegetables per day. “Mastering knowledge on nutrition deserves to be reinforced, analyzes Michel Dubois. The communication of public health policy messages must also improve, in particular by aiming better for young people, who do not inquire with television or radio.”

Sciences inspire confidence, but are less interested in

These challenges in the face of food choices are part of the broader context of the complex relationship that the French have with science and critical mind, indicate the other components of the 2025 barometer. The interest in science thus experiences a decline compared to January 2024, even if it remains widely shared. 62 % of those over 18 report that scientific subjects interest them, down 7 points. Only political news increases (63 %, + 2 points).

The image of the sciences remains fortunately positive: 78 % of respondents attribute more value to an affirmation if it has been scientifically validated and 82 % consider that science makes it possible to develop new technologies useful to all. The 15-24 year olds grant her more marked confidence and place her in the seventh row of their centers of interest (against 11th place for the oldest).

Critical thinking, a complex notion for the youngest

Three -quarters of our fellow citizens also consider having a critical spirit, which they mainly associate with logical and rational reasoning (43 %), the ability to exchange with people with divergent opinions (40 %) and to learn more before positioning themselves (39 %). The 15-24 year olds, themselves, value the exchange with interlocutors with divergent opinions (35 % against 40 %) and more the ability to justify their choices (37 % against 32 %) and to question the voice of the authority (24 % against 17 %). Paradoxically, they report more difficulties in the face of divergent opinions: 60 % recognize that they can persist in their arguments even without being sure of their solidity (against 46 % for 18-65 year olds) and 58 % prefer to exchange with people who share their opinions (compared to 49 %).

“This survey shows that there are still many faults in mastery of food information, especially among young people, and that communication on this subject should be improved,” analyzes Michel Dubois, who nevertheless welcomes science. “At a time when the scientific community is violently attacked, especially in the United States where the government uses populist arguments, the barometer shows, on the contrary, that a majority of the hexagonal population sees science positively.” Another difference – with tableware – which should be cultivated carefully.