Why is Everyone Trying the Whole30 Diet?

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With the start of the year, people are making resolutions on how to stay fit for the entire year. The drive to lose weight at the beginning of the year is usually followed by an increase in sales of healthy foods. One specific company reaping the benefits is Applegate.

Recently, Applegate announced that it would go into a licensing partnership with Whole30 – a type of diet regimen that encourages people to consume only whole food ingredients minus other types of food categories for 30 days. This program is a spinoff to the Paleo Diet and was created by Melissa Hartwig. Touted for its anti-inflammatory benefits, the Whole30 diet became an instant hit among many people who want to lose weight and also correct some of their health problems.

Why Experts Don’t Like the Whole 30 Diet

But while there is a considerable number of followers of the Whole30 Diet, many dieticians are less enthusiastic about it. In fact, it was ranked as 37 out of the 40 diets list in the US News and World Report citing that this particular diet has no independent research, extremely restrictive, and has nonsensical claims. Many health professionals are concerned about the restrictive characteristics of the diet wherein grains, legumes, and dairy are not allowed on this particular diet considering that they are essential to healthy weight loss. Moreover, dieticians also claim that because of the restrictive characteristics of this specific diet regimen, it does not teach good eating habits to people.

Still, Whole30 Diet Remains Popular Today

 

And while many experts are rejecting the Whole30 Diet, this type of rejection is helping boost the popularity of the diet. Thrive Market co-founder, Gunnar Lovelace noted that they partnered with Whole30 because people do not trust where their food comes from anymore. This diet gives certainty, and that makes it appealing to people. With this particular diet regimen, it guides the dieters by creating boundaries that make eating a simpler and straight-forward task.

Many people all over the world have made positive claims about the diet saying that they felt a lot of improvement after following the diet. These include weight loss, stable blood sugar, and blood pressure levels. The Whole30 Diet for many is a way of life as it taught them how to eat mindfully without the need to restrict calories.

The thing is that there are so many diet regimens out there that people can try but what makes the Whole30 Diet very receptive to many dieters out there is that it offers them something novel and innovative that people have never experienced with other diet programs before. While some diets focus on caloric restriction, this diet focuses on the nutrition of the consumers. Fortunately for the Whole30 Diet, many people are savvier about their food choices, and they opt for nutrition first before calories. After all, calories are just calories, but nutrition determines the quality of food that you are eating. And that removes the great confusion in dieting!

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New Study: Mice Lost Weight and Lowered Cholesterol with Fiber Supplement

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The Holy Grail drug to effective weight loss has yet to be discovered. But recently, a new study conducted by the researchers from the Georgia State University might change the way we will deal with weight loss. The secret? The fermentable fiber inulin.

What did the Study Analyze?

To conduct the study, the researchers fed mice with a supplement containing inulin and observed the progress. After a few weeks, those that consumed the inulin supplements showed reduced metabolic syndrome even when fed with a high-fat diet. Those that were fed with the fiber had decreased weight gain, better cholesterol levels, and a limited spike in their blood sugar levels.

But aside from inulin, there are still other compounds in fiber-rich foods that make them good for the overall gut health. For instance, resistant starch called amylose is found in fiber and has the ability to protect against genetic damage that can lead to colon cancer. It can also help fight against Type 2 diabetes.

A multitude of studies have underestimated the role of dietary fibers in weight loss. But only recently did scientists find out that dietary fibers play a role in the growth of good bacteria in the gut or colon. Studies show that those who consume a high-fiber diet are able to balance their blood sugar level, lower cholesterol levels, lower the risk of heart problems, and have better digestion than those who consume high protein-rich foods.

The role of fiber in maintaining good health has always been touted by many health experts.  But it is only recently that most consumers have started to eat more fiber. In fact, market research indicated that 87% of the consumers consider it to be healthy and 60% of the respondents actively seek products containing more fiber.

Fiber is Growing as an Important Health Claim

 

Food and beverage manufacturers have quickly responded to the demands of the consumer for more products that contain high amounts of fiber. Currently, products like Fiber One ice cream and Activia yogurt contain high amounts of fibers. Other beverage companies have also followed suit and started adding soluble fiber into their beverages.

Aside from the food industry, the trend has also reached government institutions. This is the reason why the US Food and Drug Administration is thinking of releasing a new Nutrition Facts label about putting the measurements of dietary fiber on food products. Unfortunately, the institute has not yet fully defined what counts as dietary fiber.

It is interesting to take note that fiber-rich foods are not only popular among older consumers but also the millennial generation. Younger consumers particularly millennials are consuming high-fiber products because of their touted health benefits. This opened opportunities for companies whose target markets are the millennials and younger consumers to produce products that are rich in fiber.  These include Dannon, General Mills, and Tale & Lyle.

The thing is that consumption of soluble fiber has been found to be very effective in improving not only the weight loss capacity of individuals but also their overall health. Fiber is gaining traction because consumers are getting more conscious about their food choices.

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Check out our GrandFusion Plus Fiber product to get the benefits of 12 vitamins from fruits and vegetables and a good source of fiber claim.

Personalized Diets: Can Your Genes Really Tell You What to Eat?

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The idea that our genes contain the blueprint for personalized nutrition is the driving force behind personalized nutrition testing. Websites and food companies are currently proliferating such as Nutrigenomix, Profile Precise, and Habit to name a few who provide these personalized services. But, is this true? Well, the answer is not straightforward. But, here are a few details on the idea behind genes and diets.

Personalized Testing Pairs Genes With Nutritional Needs

So, what is personalized testing for? In one article, a writer tried Habit. And the first step in the process is getting tested. You can do it yourself with the use of an at-home test kit for DNA and blood samples. Blood samples are taken twice. The first time is before drinking a high fat and sugary test drink and the second one is after taking the drink.

Then the samples are analyzed and based on the results you will be categorized into one of the seven diet types. Examples of which are range seeker, balance seeker, protein seeker, and fat seeker to name a few.

With the writer’s results, she was analyzed as a protein seeker which meant that her diet should consist more of high protein than any other food group. Other details are also included in the report, which would give you great insights into your personalized diet as well as further cementing your theories about your food response. As an example, the writer’s detailed report confirmed her thoughts on caffeine—that she has a gene variant that makes her sensitive to caffeinated food and drinks.

The high sugar drink acts as a fasting blood test, although it tests a person’s glucose response, it is not a test based on DNA. Further, the test also studies the FTO gene which is linked to weight gain in people who have this gene variant.

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Systems Approach

Based on the example above, the personalized testing is not merely based on genes. It is a systems approach that is integrated together, and from there, each is given a customized recommendation.

The idea behind these personalized testing is that it gives people reliable evidence of what their body is currently experiencing. And these values can be instrumental in helping them to rein in their food urges and resist temptation—and maybe even embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Experts Take

Plenty of experts have pointed out that when it comes to pieces of advice on diets, it is quite deceiving to say that our genes are the blueprint because they are not. Although DNA does influence our weight, it is minimal. Our DNA cannot ever dictate to us when it comes to eating that piece of moist and delicious cake. It’s your behavior towards food that dictates which food you put into your body. According to studies, genes only account for five to ten percent of the risk connected with diseases related to diets like type-2 diabetes and obesity.

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1/3 of Protein Bars Have as Much Fat as a Krispy Kreme Donut

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Has the New Year, New You health and wellness trend hit you this year? How many protein shakes, protein bars and workouts are you taking in? Well, if you love the taste of your favorite protein bar, you might want to look at the label a little closer. Protectivity, a U.K. based health, sports, and travel specialists revealed in new research that more than 33% of all protein bars have more saturated fat than a Krispy Kreme donut.

How Protectivity Analyzed 56 Protein Bars

Protectivity created a fitness food index to help people look at the protein, carbohydrate, sugar, and fat content to look at a variety of products including protein bards. The index shows that protein bars often contain large amounts of sugar and fat. They found that 10 of the 56 bars analyzed contained more sugar than a Krispy Kreme donut.

Nutritional shakes and bars have been one of the most active markets over the past five years. From 2010 to 2015, the category grew at 10% year over year. In 2016, the market reached over $9 billion in sales around the world. It’s safe to say that these formulas of high fat and sugar content will not last long as protein bars have typically been seen as part of the clean eating trend.

Large CPG Companies Acquiring the Nimbler Bar Brands

It’s evident that the smaller brands are catching the eye of the giant CPG companies. These brands have already created formulas that meet consumer needs with low sugar, low fat, and great taste. Big CPG sees no reason to reinvent the wheel and instead believes the acquisition is the best way to gain market share. Last November, Mars took a minority stake in KIND bar. Kellogg acquired RXBAR to grow its clean label protein bar offerings for over $600 million in 2017. The nutritional bar market is hot, and we expect more acquisitions in this area in 2018.

Consumers Must Recognize Protein Bars as a Meal Replacement, Not a Snack

Brands must educate consumers on protein bars and nutritional products. Many of these products are not formulated to be eaten as a casual snack but as a meal replacement or a post-workout fuel. Brands should be concerned about the high levels of fat and sugar because if consumers don’t see results, they will switch to another favorite food solution. 2018 and 2019 should be the years that these brand focus on adding healthier ingredients and formulating these bars to be more reliable nutritional products for consumers.

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New Food Pharmacies Filling Prescriptions for Fruits and Veggies

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According to a recent article in Mother Jones Magazine, there are a handful of food pharmacies popping up across the country. The food pharmacies are focused on recommended different fruits and vegetables to help those suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes. MJ reported that one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure and 7% of the population has diabetes, which is up from 4.4% in 2000 according to the CDC.

How are food pharmacies trying to help?

In San Francisco, Silver Avenue Family Health Center is combining the resources of a farmer’s market and food pantry. They are using nutritional advice to help reduce high blood pressure and diabetes in those typically suffering from “food insecurity.” Food insecurity is defined as lack of affordable, regular access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

The food as medicine movement has been on the rise over the past 25 years as prescriptions, and other medical approaches have not resulted in lowering high blood pressure or diabetes for the masses. Nutritionists believe that food could be the answer and have long pointed out the medicinal benefits of different fruits and vegetables. For example, cherries bolster the immune system and strawberries for improving cardiac health.

Food Companies Looking for Ways to Add More Fruits & Veggies to Their Products

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As the food as medicine movement continues to grow, food companies are looking for an innovative way to add fruits and vegetables to their products. Beyond Meat has taken an interesting approach to creating all plant-based meats from vegetables as well as adding back the beneficial nutrients from those veggies through the GrandFusion vegetable blend.

Consumers are actively looking for convenient, better-for-you products with the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. Smoothies, premium juices, single serve veggie meals, and more are catching the attention of millennials and baby boomers as they look for new options.

 

According to the CDC, We Still Have a Long Way to Go

While consumer demand for fresh produce may be increasing, the CDC reports alarming stats that adults in the U.S. are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Only 10% of all adults in the United States are eating enough fruits and vegetables every year. It will be interesting to see how we conquer this uphill battle of getting more people to eat more fruits and vegetables for their health.

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Premium Juice Brands Working on Lowering Sugar in Their Drinks

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Sugar has long been a battle for soda companies and shelf-stable juices, but premium juice brands are now facing the challenge of reducing sugar in their healthy drinks. Premium juice brands typically use fresher ingredients without any added sugars. However, adding some fruit juices and flavors can quickly increase the sugar content in their drinks. In response to the growing fight against sugar, juice brands are innovating the formulations, processing methods, and marketing to take sugar head on.

Not All Sugars Are Created Equal

It is no easy task to eliminate the sugar in these juice brands. CEO of Suja Juice, Jeff Church, says he has watched the market evolve in just the past five years. When Suja Juice started, it had roughly 25g of sugar per bottle, but after listening to consumers, they have decreased the sugar to 10 grams or less per bottle. Church believes that consumer demographics have played a considerable role in the lower sugar options in the market. Baby boomers are more tolerant of higher sugar content than millennials. However, both carry significant weight in sales. Church believes this has forced brands to take a broad focus on reducing sugar.

On the other hand, Ryne O’Donnell, CEO of Sol-ti, is taking a different approach. He believes consumers need to understand that not all sugars are created equal. He believes that adding beneficial fruits and vegetables that may be high in natural sugars outweighs the potential negatives.

Courtroom Controversy for Juice Brands

Some of the first juice brands have faced courtroom controversy from anti-sugar crusaders. Odwalla, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola, faced backlash and a class action lawsuit for the phrase “evaporated cane juice” on its ingredient label. The lawsuit was ultimately withdrawn, but the Odwalla was hit with another suit based on their “No Sugar Added” phrase on their packaging. They are currently in private mediation with no expected ruling or settlement until the middle of 2018.

 

Center for Science in the Public Trust also filed a lawsuit against Pepsi’s Naked Juice brand in 2017. CSI believed naked was mislead consumers through marketing products with the wrong fruits and vegetables on the packaging and use of phrases like “No Sugar Added.” Pepsi settled and agreed to update its packaging with more accurate ingredients and decrease the font size of “No Sugar Added.”

New Brands on the Block Looking to Capitalize

Edit Fruit Juice was founded in 2013 with the idea to solve the technical issue of eliminating natural sugars from fruit. The company’s patented process enables them to extract 90% of all natural sugars from the fruit so that their 100% fruit juice contains less than 1g of sugar per serving.

Other brands are adapting by adding natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit. However, some premium juice brands don’t like the idea of adulterating pure juice. It will be a battle of brands trying to create the most premium juices while decreasing sugar at the same time. They still have to taste delicious and make consumers feel like they are making a healthy choice.

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Is Seaweed The Next Big Trend in Sustainable Food?

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Seaweed has been long known as a nutritious plant, but there has not been a substantial market to warrant its growth in farming. The sustainability of the plant is what attracted Tollef Olsen to start his first “Sea Farm” and found Ocean’s Balance, an edible seaweed company. Olsen says, “No land, no fresh water, no fertilizer, no pesticides, and it also sequesters carbon.” The growth of the industry is just starting to take off with the USDA grants going to other Maine seaweed producers such as VitaminSea and Maine Fresh Sea Farms.

The Growth of the Edible Seaweed Market

In October of 2017, the Department of Energy awarded the University of New England with $1.3 million to research seaweed farming methods. Other states are following the lead to help entrepreneurs grow the industry and increase the use of seaweed aquaculture.

While seaweed consumption is new to the United States, it has long been a dietary staple in Asia. Wild kelp is disappearing around the world because of the rising ocean temperatures, so the planting more may help us reverse that trend. The sea plant provides us with a nutrient dense, low footprint food that is attractive to health-conscious consumers. Farms have now popped up in California, Mexico, Alaska, and Connecticut, but Maine is going all in to position itself as the sea vegetable state.

The Sustainability of Seaweed Farming

 

There are a variety of sea vegetable species, but sugar kelp seems to be the perfect fit for Maine’s seaweed farming industry. With over 3,000 miles of coastline, farmers can quickly plant and harvest without impacting homeowner’s views. Farming season in Maine is from October to May which is the exact opposite of lobster season, so Maine’s other most significant seafood business is not impacted. This gives lobstermen an easy way to keep their crews employed through the downtimes.

Organizations like World Bank have endorsed seaweed farming as a way to feed the growing population in the future without impacting the environment. The fact that it requires no land and no fresh water make it a home run for environmental experts. On top of that, it may help in mitigating ocean acidification by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Health Conscious Americans are Hungry for Seaweed Products

It’s taken a long time, but seaweed is finally starting to sneak into American diets. Health conscious consumers are finally embracing the plant after seeing its nutritional benefits and eco-friendly production. Kelp is known to be high in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants which makes it easy to showcase to consumers. Chefs from around the country are finding it to add significant flavor too.

Ocean’s balance developed its kelp puree after much consideration. It wants consumers to be able to add it to a variety of products. Olsen says, ” I made a chicken stock, but then I kelp-ized it. We want to kelp-ize everything.”

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Personalized Nutrition Is Trying to Reach The Masses

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Personalized nutrition is one of the newest ideas catching the eyes of consumers and the big food companies. In theory, it seems like the next big thing to overtake the healthy eating marketplace. However, there are a few hurdles that innovators are battling for this concept to reach the mainstream. Consumer knowledge about their personalized nutrition needs, food manufacturing, and distribution are going to need to change to make this a reality.

Habit: The Startup Company Leading Personalized Nutrition

Habit, a San Francisco-based company, is offering personalized nutrition through genetic testing. The big food company, Campbell’s Soup, has been following closely and recently invested in the startup.

Habit is structuring itself as a personalized nutrition meal delivery startup. They take information gathered from an at-home test kit to create specific meals to meet customers’ needs. At the moment, Habit’s business model is a little expensive for the average consumer. It costs $249 to receive the personalized test kit, results, and advice from nutrition coaches. On top of the $249, each meal will cost you $8.99 for breakfast and $13.50 for lunch and dinner meals. Without a significant technological change to food development and distribution, personalized nutrition appears to be a luxury in the short term.

3-D Food Printing Could Be The Solution

As mentioned earlier, consumer knowledge on food development and distribution would need to change in a significant way for personalized nutrition to reach the masses. 3-D food printing could be the groundbreaking technology to make it possible. If 3-D printers could become as regular as microwaves, they could completely change the way consumers prepare food at home.

Big food companies like PepsiCo are already testing 3D printing to create prototypes of different shaped and colored chips. Other firms like Barilla have used 3-D food printing to make pasta that is shaped like a rose. The number of obstacles facing the industry are still there, but the future looks bright for personalized nutrition.

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