In their concern for the personal and environmental impact of their eating habits, the Steins are not alone. An increasing number of Americans are attempting to realize the genetic potential — and ameliorate the ills of their environment — by changing the way they eat.

A recent nationwide survey conducted by Whole Foods magazine found that today’s natural food store shoppers are a far cry from the sandal-wearing simple-lifers of old. Most are college-educated professionals, between 31 and 40 years of age, whose incomes marked them as fairly well off.

Like the commitment, the motivation among devotees differs. Some say they’ve opted for the approach because they believe natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables offer better quality for the money. Others say they’ve chosen the regimen for personal health improvement. Still others say they are responded to alarms raised by books like “Diet for a Poisoned Planet,” which argues America’s food-style is eating away at the Earth. In any case, pleased observers say the effects are the same: A healthier environment and increasing respect and visibility for a way of life that was once Bohemian and beyond the pale.

“Being aware of the food chain and the impact our decisions have on it, is just another tier of environmental awareness, ” Lee says.

In their concern for the personal and environmental impact of their eating habits, the Steins are not along. An increasing number of American are attempting to realize the genetic potential — and ameliorate the ills of their environment — by changing the way they eat.

A recent nationwide survey conducted by Whole Foods magazine found that today’s natural food store shoppers are a far cry from the sandal-wearing simple-lifers of old. Most are college-educated professionals, between 31 and 40 years of age, whose incomes marked them as fairly well off.

Like the commitment, the motivation among devotees differs. Some say they’ve opted for the approach because they believe natural foods and organic fruits and vegetables offer better quality for the money. Others say they’ve chosen the regimen for personal health improvement. Still others say they are responded to alarms raised by books like “Diet for a Poisoned Planet,” which argues America’s food-style is eating away at the Earth. In any case, pleased observers say the effects are the same: A healthier environment and increasing respect and visibility for a way of life that was once Bohemian and beyond the pale.