Nutrition Trends for 2012 from The Trusted Nutrition Communications Experts at NutriTalk™

Jan. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Nutrition Trends for 2012 from NutriTalk™

Our corporate nutrition communications clients rely on us as nutrition thought leaders to provide them with our vision of where the nutrition landscape is moving in the next year as well as which strong trends we predict to continue for this decade. If you are interested in becoming a nutrition communications client, please contact us.

Nutrition Predictions for 2012 from NutriTalk™

1.   Positive Nutrition Messaging
2.   Windows on the World Cuisine
3.   Fabulous Fiber
4.   Grazing
5.   Beneficial Bacteria - Probiotics and Prebiotics
6.   Linked Nutrition and Sourcing
7.   Lunching Out Choices from Supermarkets to Food Trucks

As we start the New Year our team is sharing what we think are the upcoming Food and Nutrition Trends for 2012. We used our own internal company nutrition communications research and observations in addition to reflecting on what our nutrition communications clients are telling us about the changes they see in the marketplace.

Here is what we see as the major Food and Nutrition Trends for 2012.  Click here to see all our Nutrition Trends for 2012 now or you can visit our website as we share where we think the nutrition marketplace will go in the next year.

Nutrition Trend # 1 - Positive Nutrition Messaging
Americans want to proactively encourage better health for themselves and their families. By focusing on positive nutrition messages consumers will have a more favorable opinion of a food product or nutrition-related group.

Studies have shown that negative messages, such as “avoid” or “limit” will reflect adversely on a food or food group. Therefore, we believe that companies and health groups that emphasize ‘enhancing health’ rather than highlighting the negative health value of a food or category of food will succeed and prosper. Experience and scientific research shows that positive thoughts can lead to healthful food choices and thereby improve the overall health and wellness of consumers.

Nutrition Trend # 2 - Windows on the World Cuisine
Americans are embracing many global food choices in their weekly family menus. It is no longer your grandparent’s meal plan of pot roast and baked chicken, etc. Today, most family weekly meal plans will range from bean burritos, to vegetable pizza and Asian stir-fry. Families today can have a gastronomic "travel around the world" by eating and drinking inexpensive culturally mixed foods. An upside of global cuisine is that is if often cost-effective for families to sample ethnic foods such as Mexican foods filled with beans and whole grain tortillas, Asian cuisine filled with lots of vegetables, soy protein and leans meats and Mediterranean cuisine filled with seafood and vegetables.

Nutrition Trend # 3 - Fabulous Fiber
As the interest in dietary fiber increases, consumers are searching for nutrient dense foods that offer fiber. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate recommend Americans consume more fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains for better health. Unfortunately, most American meals do not follow the MyPlate guidelines.

According to recent studies there is room for improvement since Americans consume about 14 grams of dietary fiber per day, far below the recommended 19 to 38 grams of fiber per day suggested by the Institute of Medicine. The health value of dietary fiber is that it can reduce digestive complaints as well as increase satiety without adding calories. As a baby boomers age we believe companies can use fiber to enhance their bottom-line. We expect an increasing focus on dietary fiber as an aid to digestive health and weight control.

Nutrition Trend # 4 - Beneficial Bacteria - Probiotics and Prebiotics
Digestive health products continue to grow in popularity. With time-pressed schedules, it is no wonder why our internal company research shows that consumers are searching for health and vitality from food and supplements, like probiotics.

Probiotics, the foods that contains good bacteria, may help digestive issues and protect the body by enhancing gastrointestinal health.  As consumers are striving to get more health value from food and food products, we expect extremely cost-sensitive consumers to search for probiotics foods, such as store and major label brand yogurts and enhanced foods.

Nutrition Trend # 5 - Grazing
Due to the fast-paced American lives that often do not always allow for a meal to consumed, we believe that more people will begin to graze instead of eating a meal. To meet this need many restaurant menus and supermarkets are beginning to offer mini-tastes of various foods.

Grazing can be a “mini-meal” or as simple as a small splurge, like a biscotti with coffee.  Many consumers regularly miss lunch at least once a week and graze or eat a snack instead.

We observe that as the economy seems to improve many consumers are indulging in small indulgences that unfortunately are often calorie-rich and nutrient-poor. Those companies that encourage consumers to enjoy life by discouraging overanalyzing their nutritional choices and encouraging more spontaneous enjoyment of life’s pleasures, like good food will meet the needs of this market. Food companies and restaurants that offer nutrient rich mini-meals may benefit from this grazing trend by meeting a need of busy consumers who desire to eat conscientiously and act more sensibly.

Nutrition Trend # 6 - Linked Nutrition and Sourcing
Eating has been evolving over the past decade from a family meal to feeling connected to your meal. Food sourcing of ingredients that includes where the food it grown, processed before it reached your table can meet this desire to know more about the source of the food you will eat. Local sourcing, like your own garden or county is ideal, but it is not always cost-effective for restaurants and cost-sensitive families.

Whether you are in a supermarket or a restaurant, you will begin to notice more of a focus on locally produced or grown foods and an emphasis on sustainable eating as a positive influence on the health of their family as well as their community. We also see this trend extending to local schools that are using local farmers for fresh fruits and vegetables.

This year we expect an increasing demand by consumers for more fresh locally grown, organic, sustainable, and minimally processed foods. Many restaurants are now identifying on their menu the source of the ingredients in their foods. Whereas in the past restaurant menus identified the brand of coffee, ketchup, etc., we believe dining establishments will now will identify the source of their fruits, vegetables, and grains. In fact, there are “apps” that will geo-target where many foods originate.

Nutrition Trend # 7 - Lunching Out Choices from Supermarkets to Food Trucks
Health conscious as well as price-sensitive shoppers when they dine out are choosing to eat at restaurants, supermarkets and even food trucks with unique cuisines. Several supermarket chains now include a few tables where supermarket value-shoppers can pick up foods at the supermarket and eat lunch or a snack before returning to the work place. Many consumers are finding this is an attractive venue to get fast, fresh, inexpensive, and healthy foods. We find that younger shoppers prefer value menus but aging baby boomers prefer healthy high quality foods.

Consumers are increasingly interest in healthful eating. Research shows consumers are increasing their consumption of vegetables, fruit, and whole grain foods. These are the trends we see for the coming year. While we believe there are no good or bad foods, we trust that consumers are savvy enough to realize that their personal eating and lifestyle habits will have a positive or negative impact on their overall health.

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At NutriTalk™, we believe by knowing where the marketplace is going in the immediate future you are better able to position your nutrition-related products and programs in the next year. Our clients rely on NutriTalk™ to fill their needs for corporate nutrition communications. We provide our clients with corporate communication services and solutions, such as media representation, legislative advocacy and testifying, and corporate nutrition consulting. Visit us at http://nutritioncommunicationexperts.com/Nutrition-Experts.

When you need the services of a nutrition professional, consider NutriTalk™, Inc. as the answer. We invite you to talk with us about how we can support the goals of your company. We provide knowledge & strategic direction to help solve your business problems and implement creative nutrition communications solutions. When you need the services of nutrition professionals, consider NutriTalk™, the nutrition communications experts.