According to the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s second annual Food & Health Survey, ninety percent of Americans say breakfast is an important part of a healthy diet, but just 49 percent manage to eat breakfast every day. Only 11 percent know the amount of calories they should consume daily to maintain a healthy weight.

One of the most striking disconnects concerned knowledge about good and bad fats. Current guidelines recommend people consume more polyunsaturated fats, found in fish and some whole grain foods, and monounsaturated fats, found in nuts, avocados and vegetable oils. 42 percent of those surveyed said they were trying to eat fewer polyunsaturated fats and 38 percent reported trying to cut down on monounsaturated fats.

Another huge disconnect? 84 percent said they were physically active at least once a week for health benefits, only 44 percent said they “balanced diet and physical activity” for weight management. Apparently the concept of calories in, calories out isn’t quite making the consumer radar screen, says Susan Borra, the president of the IFIC Foundation.

Borra recommends people stick to good sources of information on diet and health, such as IFIC’s Web site; the federal government’s mypyramid.gov; the American Dietetic Association; and the American Heart Association.

Rather than trying to do everything all at once, make incremental changes in their lifestyle habits. Try to add just one healthy habit per month.