Top 10 Nutrition Trends for 2010 From NutriTalk™, Inc.

As we start the New Year our team is sharing what we think are the upcoming Food and Nutrition Trends for 2010. We used our own internal company nutrition communications research and observations in addition to reflecting on what our clients are telling us about the changes they see in the marketplace.

Here are what we see as the Top 10 Food and Nutrition Trends.  Click here to see all our top 10 Nutrition Trends now or you can visit our website as we share where we think the nutrition marketplace will go in the next year.

Top 10 Nutrition Trends From NutriTalk™, Inc.

• Trend #1 – Fresh Foods Made Extravagant – You may have noticed that the colorful produce section of your local supermarket as well as the Farmer’s markets are getting more foot traffic.  Simple, colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables sell well and give the buyer a perception that they are eating more healthfully. We expect that consumers will be choosing more fresh fruits and vegetables, packaged salad mixes, and pre-cut produce , like apple slices and chopped onions to save time, money, and unwanted calories. Even though pre-packaged produce is often a more expensive option to fresh produce, many people will continue to valuing their time by choosing to spend a few more cents in order to have more time spent on other activities, like family time.

• Trend #2 – Salt Solutions – Get ready for a salt shakedown as manufacturers begin to tweak their products in order to help to reduce the sodium in the American Diet.  Health experts and government organizations have been urging that Americans cut their sodium (salt) intake for decades. However, after tasting many of these foods, we think consumers may still reach for the food with higher sodium if the manufacturers do not improve the flavor profile of packaged and prepared foods with herbs and species.  For example, when we have conducted taste tests of low sodium foods with health conscious consumers, some foods, such as low sodium bread, low sodium tuna and low sodium cereals were not winners.  In fact, overwhelming consumers admitted that they would just not eat a some tasteless low sodium foods and would either not eat that food, or select another alternative.

• Trend #3 – Everyday Eco-Living  – Many people have been gradually making “living green” part of their life. This extends from recycling at home, work, and play to selecting more locally grown foods and goods. However, although many people desire foods grown or processed locally, when it comes to price, it has to be cost-effective for them. As we see more people buying organic foods, we expect the price of organic goods to decrease, which should help to increase the use of organic goods to grow in your local supermarkets.

• Trend #4 – Nutrition Labeling Symbols Standardized and Regulated  – Nutrition transparency is needed for the general public to thoroughly understand what is in the nutrition products as well as the health value. The nutrition marketing in the supermarket has distorted some of the nutrition reality of the healthfulness of the food product. Along with standardization of the nutrition labeling symbols, it will take nutrition evangelists to spread the word about the true health value of the nutrition products. This is where NutriTalk, Inc. has been beneficial to clients who are trying to bridge to gap between nutrition marketing, nutrition education and nutrition regulation. We support consumers having proof of the nutrition quality of a products with clear nutrition facts on front-of-nutrition products.

• Trend #5 – Quality Calories – As the nation continues to expand its waistline, we believe that quality calories will be a focus of many consumers as they age, become more health –conscious and raise their families. That is why we think that quality calories be come the mantra of consumers. Although 100-calorie packages are a great convenience, many people would be better served by eating some fresh fruit, vegetables or nuts that will give them nutrients and not preservatives as they nosh on the foods. As this trends grows, we believe that consumers will begin to expect foods that pack a nutrients punch. A cereal or entree will have to soon be tweaked to have more nutrients that it’s competitor’s by using natural foods and spices. Sun-dried tomatoes and basil on your cereal anyone?

• Trend #6 – Herbal Essences – We expect herbs to grow in popularity.  Although herbs and spices are a great replacement for sodium in foods, we predict that the popular ginseng, guarana, and taurine and others will be added to food products to give consumers the edge they need to keep up in our increasing fast-paced world.  However, there is a point at which too many herbs, vitamins, and minerals can be unhealthy. So if herbs and spices are now in many energy beverages, adding more herbs to packaged foods may cause a potential health problem, if the amounts of herbs are not monitored. Too much of any good food, can cause a health problem.

• Trend #7 – Boomer Nutrition — Health insurance is a concern for many consumers and we believe that communities, employers and community groups will begin to offer more classes in an effort to stem their costs of health care. Although this is good for everyone, unless consumers, employees and community members believe that it will make them more youthful, energetic desirable or help them live longer., the adoption of better health , will be slow. Employers, community groups and others need to determine what will get consumers in the door, like a promise to lose weight, lower health care premiums or help free them from the burden of rising prescription costs and medical bills.

• Trend #9 – 1960’s Revial – The 1960’s are back in vogue, which may have been ushered in by the popularity of the television show Mad Men. As the baby boomers, who lived during the 1960’s, age they are seeking comfort in foods of the that era, that range from mashed potatoes, classic cocktails, milk and-cookies, meatloaf to other comfort foods, like the classic recipes with simple, pure ingredients, like burgers.

• Trend #10 – Back To Basics Family Meals – The economic turmoil in the  marketplace has increase the acceptance of private label brands which have improved in taste, packaging and pricing, As a result, expect more healthful private labels as consumers begin to cut their family budgets by buying wisely by reading labels, using unit-price labeling, shopping more aggressively. As the age wave bends, we expect younger consumers to not be brand loyal, a hallmark of their parents and grandparents that manufacturers relied upon.

Top 10 Nutrition Trends From NutriTalk™, Inc.

Top 10 Food and Nutrition Trends

10 Nutrition Trends From NutriTalk, Inc. for 2010

1. Fresh Foods Made Extravagant
2. Salt Solutions
3. Everyday Eco-Living
4. Nutrition Labeling Symbols Standardized and Regulated
5. Quality Calories
6. Boomer Nutrition
7. Herbal Essences
8. Ingredients With Benefits
9. Back To Basics Family Meals
10. 1960’s Revival