The average Kiwi believes they need to lose 15kg just to be healthy according to a new survey.

The Nutribullet Balance Survey also revealed at least 80 percent of New Zealanders have been on a diet in the last year. 

Nutritionist Nikki Hart told Kate Hawkesby we know we are an overweight country but losing weight can be very stressful. 

"They are finding it really hard to think about how they go about tackling the issues we are facing."

She says there are so many mixed messages about what's healthy and what isn't.

"I think there's a load of messages coming from all different kinds of areas which makes trying to find a solution difficult." 

Hart says fad diets are overshadowing healthy eating.

"By the time we realise we need to lose some weight, we want the solution yesterday, we don't want to think of the long-term solution."

"I know that the food and nutrition guidelines set by the Ministry of Health do work. They prevent all sorts of what we call, non-communicable diseases, and help to get the weight down."

"But they're not popular press things, like paleo or keto or intermittent fasting so they don't sound as cool. That's why they tend to be disregarded." 

The cost of food is also a contributing factor, however, Hart says it's not an excuse.

"I think cost is definitely still an issue, however, you should still be eating in season. If you choose [things] like frozen, which is really good because sometimes the nutrients are trapped in those things more than fresh."

"I think people need some more information around not being so elite around food."

LISTEN ABOVE AS NIKKI HART SPEAKS WITH KATE HAWKESBY