Kale: The Most Popular Ingredient In Your Pantry

in , , , ,

Many types of superfoods are available for consumers and kale is one of them. Kale is considered as the hottest superfood over the past few years.

You can find it in your baby food, vitamins, supplements, and tons of new clean label food and beverage products. The popularity of the green plant has even gone past food. For example, even some nail polish brands are infused with kale essence to strengthen nails supposedly.

Kale-Infused Products Show Increase In Sales

According to a market analysis conducted by Nielsen for MarketWatch, kale is being infused into snacks, pasta sauce, sausages, and even pet food. You can also find it in your favorite desserts like frozen yogurt and even cakes. The sales of kale-infused vitamins and supplements, for instance, grew by as much as 125% over the last year.

kale marketwatch nielsen study products superfood

While kale-infused products are very popular, consumers should not be too swayed. For example, many companies add a small amount of kale in their products even if they are obviously junk foods to look like they are healthy. Unfortunately, kale is used as a marketing ploy to give unhealthy food a health halo.

Marketers Using It To Their Full Advantage

It is not only junk foods that use the green plant as a marketing ploy. Many supplements appear to use kale as ornaments in marketing their products. Kale powders, for example, encourage people to get kale in powder form thus defeating the purpose of eating the real thing.

The idea of taking it in powder or pill form might be enticing to people who are not a big fan of this leafy green. However, they are devoid of fiber resulting in a lot of missing nutrition.

Should You Eat The Real Thing Or Not?

According to Kristin Kirkpatrick from the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, the addition of kale in food products does not mean that you are getting a full serving of this leafy green. Most of these kale-infused products are often processed with a lot of oil, salt, and sugar to make them taste better than the unadulterated ones.

In conclusion, the best way to get your fix of this superfood is to eat the green vegetable itself. While kale-infused products are an excellent way to slightly supplement your daily needs, they are not enough to meet your daily requirements. Prepare kale in salads, stir-fry, and slaws to get the most out of it.

Inspired by www.marketwatch.com

Almost 80% of Consumers Look For Products With a Fewer Ingredients

in , , ,

Most consumers these days think about their health and the environment whenever they are shopping. According to the Market Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) of 2017, shoppers are opting for products that have fewer ingredients and clean product labels. Activities related to this include buying plant-based, non-GMO, and organic products to show support to the planet and their health.

In the same study, 8 out of 10 consumers are now conscious, about their health and opt to buy products with fewer ingredients that they can understand and pronounce. Most consumers are not afraid to ditch their old grocery stores for shops that offer products with clean labels. This resulted in the popularity of farmer’s markets and health food stores.  As a result, many of retail supermarkets are now carrying clean label products to increase their market reach.  Examples of these retail giants include Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, Target, and Price Clubs.

Millennials Opt For Clean Labels with Simple Ingredients

consumers want fewer simple ingredientsBut who drives the whole clean label movement? In the survey, Market LOHAS noted that millennials occupy most of the pie, at about 60%, while the older generation is not so keen on the advantages of clean labels.  The younger generation worries too much about the effects of using harmful ingredients in food while the older consumers stress the importance of allergy related label claims.

The thing is that more and more Millennials are health conscious because this is the generation of sick people. With the presence of fast-food restaurants and a plethora of processed junk food, it is easy for this generation to suffer from metabolic-related diseases like obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

What Drives Their Purchase

Almost 70% of Americans buy free-from food products mainly for health and nutritional reasons. In fact,  personal well-being is one of the most important driving factors that push people to buy products with clean labels. There is also a growing belief that free-from foods are also linked to having a healthy planet. For instance, cage-free poultry is believed to be better for the body and the world because the animals are grown in a humane way.

Another driving factor that pushes people to buy products with clean labels is the company’s ethics. In fact, 56% of the respondents claim that they refuse to buy from a company whose products are perceived to be produced by unethical means. This has also driven companies to adhere to better policies when it comes to manufacturing their products.

Consumption of products with clean labels is not only healthy and ethical, but it is also sustainable for the environment. While more expensive, people are willing to spend extra more to be able to buy products that they believe are not only good for their health but also the environment.

Inspired by www.onlineprnews.com

62% of Americans Drink At least One Cup of Coffee Per Day

in ,

The consumption of coffee in the US for 2015 was 132.3 million pounds. That amount placed the US as one of the top eight countries regarding coffee-drinking. The coffee industry in the United States is stable albeit some weak sales in the past.

One Cup a Day

In a recent survey conducted by the National Coffee Association (NCA) the USA, there is an increasing number of Americans who reach for at least one cup of coffee each day. Chief Executive of CNA, Bill Murray, noted that there is a steady growth for gourmet coffee varieties and this trend has pushed more coffee places to open to cater to the needs of people.

More than 3,000 people participated in the survey. The study revealed that 62% of the respondents noted that they drunk coffee the day before they took the questionnaire. This was interpreted as their daily consumption. The study also pointed out that 37% of the respondents between the age of 13 and 18 years old drank at least one cup a day while 64% of respondents between the age 40 and 59 did.

Gourmet Coffee Varieties Leading Growth

There is also an increasing trend of drinking gourmet coffee varieties. In fact, 24% of the participants noted that they prefer to drink espresso-based coffee more than ever. While the survey pointed out that there is an increasing number of Americans who drink coffee every day, the frequency of coffee drinking has reduced as more and more prefer only to consume a single cup daily and nothing more.

The trend of drinking a single cup of coffee has alarmed those in the coffee industry as this can affect their total sales. In fact, an average American coffee drinker now drinks 1 cup daily compared to three cups of coffee a few years back. One of the biggest culprits of this trend is the popularity of single-cup brewers like Keurig. In fact, there is a rising number of respondents (about 33%) who own their very own single-cup brewers.

The shift towards single-serve coffee means that people are brewing only what they want to drink for the day. Before, people would brew a pot of coffee using their traditional coffee maker. With the popularity of single-cup brewers, they brew only one cup. This trend has affected the coffee industry. For instance, Reuters reported that in February of this year (2017), many American consumers are purchasing less coffee. But the same report also noted that there was an increase in the sales of single-serve brewers.

Coffee Sales Still Healthy

Although the consumption of coffee has reduced regarding volume, the sales of coffee have remained high. Americans spent $11.9 billion on coffee in 2014, and this increased to $13.6 billion last year. The main reason for this is that roasters often charge a lot of money for single-serve coffee makers.

There is an irony when it comes to drinking coffee as the number of drinkers has increased while the frequency has declined. Although this may be the case, the sales of coffee beans are a good indication that the coffee industry is still strong in the United States.

Inspired by www.reuters.com

100% Fruit Juices May Cause Weight Gain in Kids

in , ,

Juvenile obesity is a significant concern in the United States.  There are many reasons why American kids are likely to suffer from obesity, and one of the biggest reasons lies in their diet. It turns out that sugar can sneak up into the food that your children eat.

But while many people blame greasy fast-food meals as the cause of obesity, many health advocates have expressed their concerns about the sugar from fruit juices. Yes, even 100% fruit juices are linked to childhood obesity according to the study published in the journal Pediatrics.

Research Results on 100% Fruit Juices

The study noted that consumption of 100% fruit juice is linked to weight gain among children from the age 6 and below. However, no association has been found for children older than seven years.  According to Dr. Brandon Auerbach from the University of Washington, parents should be cautious when it comes to giving fruit juices to children. Instead of giving them 100% fruit juices, they should give them whole fruit, water, or low-fat unsweetened milk.

So, what makes drinking fruit juices unhealthy? Although they may be derived from organic fruits, 100% fruit juices contain high amounts of natural sugar. Fruits contain fructose, which is a naturally-occurring sugar that can also be stored as fat in the liver. Fruit juice is devoid of fiber that slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. Aside from weight gain, consumption of fruit juices can also lead to other diseases like cavities and metabolic disease like diabetes.

How Much is Too Much?

How much fruit juice, is too much? Researchers found out that consumption of even one daily serving of fruit can cause weight gain of up to 0.3 pounds. So, if a 5-year old girl consumes 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice for a year, this will translate to a weight gain of ½ of a pound. The research also noted that the effects are also amplified the longer children drank fruit juice, the more weight they gain through time. Overall, the study indicated that serving 8 ounces of 100% fruit juice is associated with an increased body mass index within a year among young children.

But if you must give fruit juice to your kids, make sure that you don’t give more than 6 ounces of juice every day. Try to avoid giving fruit juices to infants. It is a better option to give whole unadulterated fruits to children so that they can maximize their health benefits as they contain more fiber than juice.

The study indicates that children should not be drinking fruit juice particularly in the first six years of their lives. With the result of the survey, the US Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Food Care Program is working to eliminate fruit juices in the diet of younger children to avoid the risk of obesity.

Inspired by www.cnn.com

Mintel: 50% of Americans Look for Vitamins and Minerals in Hybrid Drinks

in , ,

Research conducted by Mintel revealed that more consumers are opting for beverages that support their fast-paced lifestyle and their health. This has led to most food manufacturers offering hybrid drinks the combine features from multiple beverage categories.

While juice is considered as the largest non-alcoholic beverage market in the US, sales have only increased by 1.2% since 2016. What’s more, carbonated soft drinks are also losing their share in the market as more and more people opt for healthier drinks. Now, hybrid drinks have become more popular and as a result, saw a 47% increase in sales last year.

What Are Hybrid Drinks?

mintel hybrid drinks beverages vitamins mineralsAccording to Senior Food & Drink Analyst at Mintel, Beth Bloom, hybrid drinks are the new generation of beverages, but they are inherently higher in health benefits, making them more appealing to consumers.  Research showed that most people are looking for vitamins and minerals in hybrid drinks. However, American consumers are also looking at other attributes that include antioxidants, energy, and electrolytes.

Many America customers prefer hybrid beverages as their “pick-me-up” drink. Also, respondents prefer to drink the beverages in the afternoon to sustain their energy during the entire day. This is one of the key reasons why hybrid drink manufacturers create products with convenience and health in mind.

In fact, manufacturers who make these types drinks have a lot of opportunities to develop products that can meet the demands of their consumers. New hybrid juices are made using different juice bases and unique packaging from their conventional counterparts.  They also position their products in specialized retail locations to attract different types of consumers.

The Hurdles of Hybrid Drinks

But more than having more nutrient content, hybrid drinks also provide more opportunities regarding a product trial. Manufacturers produce different types of hybrid drinks to cater to the needs of customers. For instance, they create drinks to meet the demands of consumers who feel bored with their current options and who want to try healthier options.

While hybrid beverages are better options than 100% fruit juices, the industry has experienced some drawbacks as there appear to be more people wary about the price point of such beverages. In fact, 80% of hybrid drink consumers believe that the beverages are more expensive than other types while 57% non-hybrid drink consumers believe that such drinks are just gimmicks to get people to spend more money on frivolous and ineffective beverages.

Although they present more health benefits to people, many consumers are put off when it comes to their price. But this is the only challenge that the industry has to face.

Inspired by www.mintel.com

CytoSport Eyes Plant-Based Proteins In New Product Line

in , , , ,

Protein drinks are growing in popularity among multiple generations of people. Athletes are using drinks to improve their performance when playing sports. Protein drinks are believed to improve performance and increase muscle mass. But while dairy-based protein shakes are still popular, there is an increasing trend of people who opt for dairy-free protein beverages. Muscle Milk Maker, CytoSport, released a line of vegan protein shakes, powder, and bars to meet the demands of its vegan and vegetarian customers.

CytoSport Launches Evolve Brand to Compete in Plant-Based Protein

Dubbed as Evolve, this new CytoSport product is made from non-GMO, plant-based protein. Derived from peas, this new line of vegan protein products come in flavors like chocolate, toasted almonds, and vanilla. With this move, CytoSport is expecting to expand their customer reach to vegans and vegetarians, who naturally do not buy their products because they are dairy-based.

Greg Longstreet, the CEO, noted that the company needs to expand their market and they predict that plant-based proteins will dominate the market ten years from now. Although this is not the first time that the company has made innovations, launching Evolve is a very bold move by the corporation as it is well-known for making conventional protein shakes and powders. The move is beyond what the company is usually used to making.

Why Plant Proteins?

But why plant proteins? There is a premise that plant proteins are better sources of protein.  In fact, it is not only CytoSport that is now developing products using plant-based proteins. Even companies like Hormel, General Mills, Kellogg’s, and Tyson Foods have invested in plant-based proteins.

Aside from increasing revenue and improving their market reach, Evolve is also a way to introduce healthy drinks to women. The thing is that while the Muscle Milk brand is preferred mostly by men, Evolve was launched with female consumers in mind. It contains fewer calories than normal dairy-based protein shakes.

The Future for CytoSport

But while plant-based protein products are gaining traction in the market these days, CytoSport is facing a significant barrier as there are still many people who believe that consuming eggs and milk are the best sources of protein, instead of plants. Although this may be the case, the company is still banking on the belief that people will have a change of heart in the coming years. This is the reason why the company is developing other plant-based proteins. As a sampler, the company is going to launch its line of protein bars this coming spring.

The company is hopeful that the plant-based proteins will be embraced by the consumers of the future a.ka. Millennials. Aside from CytoSport, even Hormel is confident with this particular line of product. In fact, Hormel CEO Jim Snee noted that the company is projected to increase its sales by 2020.

Mainly, plant-based products will dominate the market as more and more people are now embracing the trend of eating clean and healthy foods. As consumers, we should expect to see a lot of food companies following suit to meet the demands of consumers who have converted to eating clean, organic and healthy foods.

Inspired by fortune.com

U.S. Plant-Based Food Industry Sees Boost In Annual Sales to $5 Billion

in , , , ,

The plant-based food and beverage industry is seeing a vast improvement in sales this past year. According to the retail sales data company SPINS, the total market of the plant-based industry was $5 billion in total sales last year. The executive director of Plant Based Food Association, Michele Simon, noted that that the growth of the plant-based food sector is stable and it is all thanks to the shift of consumers from animal products. In fact, the total sales of meat alternatives grew by 15.9% last year.

This is the reason why products like plant-based milk and refrigerated products have shown growth over the last few years.  It seems that there is a steady increase in milk and cheese alternatives with 31.4% sales increase observed. Aside from plant-based cheeses, the market is also dominated by smaller categories of meat options like meatless jerky, mayonnaise and other types of condiments.

What Factors are Growing Plant-Based Food Sales?

So what are the factors boosting plant-based food products? One of the factors influencing sales was the bill introduced by Congress that imposed non-dairy alternatives to omit the milk, yogurt, and cheese on the label. The proper labeling has resulted in less confusion and the public embracing plant-based food choices.

But more than the proper labeling, the change was driven by health, animal, and environmental concerns. While there is still a significant number of people who eat a predominantly carnivorous diet, there is an increasing number of individuals who want to eat more plant-based foods.

The Market: Vegans, Vegetarians, and Flexitarians

This lifestyle movement has caught the attention of many leading food brands. They have incorporated plant-based products to cater to the needs of the growing population of vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians. Today, many food companies believe in the mantra that catering to the health of the customers is also essential to the health of the enterprise. But aside from people who have embraced the plant-based lifestyle, the plant-based food industry is also popular among people who follow certain strict diets such as the Paleo diet. Plant-based food products are catering to a broad spectrum of consumers.

This is the reason why companies like Daiya Foods, maker of non-dairy cheese substitutes like cheese and yogurt dominated the plant-based food industry. In fact, they sell their products in over 35,000 stores in the country and make more than $100 million in sales each year.

Many people are becoming more aware of the benefits of a plant-based diet, and they embrace it because it is not only good for the health but the environment too. Unlike other food trends, the plant-based diet will never go out of style. It is a significant shift in people’s lifestyle.

Plant-based food products are currently enjoying consumer acceptance. With the rise of the plant-based foods in the United States, consumers are finding healthier options and manufacturers are finding healthy profits.

Inspired by www.groceryheadquarters.com

Big Food Looks to Startups for Innovation

in , , ,

With a push for innovation and new ideas, even food companies are looking to startups.  Recently, General Mills has backed startups for new ideas they can release to their loyal customers. But it is not only General Mills jumping onto this latest trend of looking to startups for new ideas.  In fact, companies like Coke and Kellogg’s have already partnered with their smaller competitors to stay on top of their game.

What’s Pushing the Trend?

With a large number of high-profile companies investing in smaller companies, it is no wonder why many players in the food industries are following suit. But why are companies investing in startups? There are many reasons why large enterprises venture into smaller companies. First off, big food can offer lower supply chain costs and increased sales channels that it takes years for startups to gain traction in.

Larger companies can introduce new products their loyal customers without spending directly on staffing as well as research and development. General Mills, for example, has invested in startups like the New York-based company, Tio Gazpacho, to develop products that appeal to both wellness and health.

Startups As Looming Competitors

With more customers looking for innovative goods and services, it cannot be denied that many startup companies are becoming very competitive these days. Startups are growing threats to bigger players in the food industry. For instance, Coca-Cola has faced problems in their sales as more people opt to drink healthier beverages than the infamous soda. This is the reason why it established its venturing arm to invest in products with billion-dollar potentials such as brands like Zico coconut water and Honest Tea. Instead of competing with their small, budding competitors, big food manufacturers would rather buy, invest, and work with them.

Startups Are Not Selling Out

Both small and big companies can benefit from such arrangement. While large enterprises get new ideas and even expand their client reach, smaller brands can get the funding that they need to develop their products and their sales channels.

But more than revenue and expanding their consumer base, there are other benefits to this kind of arrangement.  For instance, when General Mills invested in smaller startups, it also transformed its product lines towards clean, healthy and natural options. Going towards, cleaner, healthier and more natural products is something that startups have been dominating in the past few years. In fact, the sales of healthier products have grown to 11% during the first period of this year, and 7.9% of the food sales comes from organic foods. Large food and beverage companies have overlooked this trend in the past but are now trying to win back by investing in startup companies.

Inspired by WSJ.com