What is a typical barrier to maintaining a healthy diet?

Maintaining a healthy diet can often be challenging due to several barriers, and one of the most significant is the lack of time or access to healthy foods. Many individuals lead busy lives that limit their ability to shop for and prepare nutritious meals. When healthy food options are not easily available in local stores or markets, or when individuals lack the time to prepare these foods, they may default to unhealthy convenience options that are faster to obtain and consume.

This barrier is compounded in areas known as food deserts, where fresh produce and wholesome ingredients are scarce, making it difficult for residents to maintain a nutritious diet. Additionally, time constraints can lead to reliance on processed foods that are often high in sugars, fats, and preservatives. While the other choices present obstacles as well, they do not directly reflect the immediate and practical struggles people face when trying to eat healthily in their daily lives.