ALL’S WELLNESS By Karen Buch
Retail Solutions for Healthy Resolutions HERE ARE 5 WAYS THAT CONSUMERS CAN TR ANSFORM THEIR LIVES IN THE NE W YE AR. ost consumers want to live happy, healthy and active lives through healthier eating and exercise. Food retailers can become trusted advocates by supporting healthy resolutions. Offer mealtime inspiration to help shoppers make good dietary choices in a timepressed world. Resolution 1
Eat More Plants
Plant-forward eating will be a growing trend throughout 2020. Most people understand that significant health benefits are associated with eating more produce, yet they struggle with how to consistently incorporate more fruits and vegetables into meals and snacks. Skip the lengthy lectures on “why,” and focus on “how” instead. Showcase easy and delicious ways to take a plant-centric approach, using various forms. Fresh, canned, dried, frozen or 100 percent juice and blended smoothies all help contribute to fruit and veggie success. Link fresh perimeter foods with center store through cross promotion and recipe ideas. Produce for Better Health Foundation’s Have A Plant campaign offers new research and digital assets at fruitsandveggies.org.
Resolution 4
Shift to Healthier Food and Beverage Choices
The term “healthier” encompasses both personal impact and sustainability practices to protect the planet for future generations. Consumers seek clarity and accuracy to help answer questions relating to these issues. Be consistent across departments and highlight messaging to help consumers shop for healthier food and beverage choices while meeting their demands for variety and transparency. Resolution 5
Resolution 2
Limit Added Sugars, Saturated Fats and Sodium
Many shoppers define “healthy” as the absence of other perceived “bad stuff” beyond added sugars, saturated fats and excess sodium. Some consumers want foods to be free from growth hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, pesticides, gluten, wasteful packaging, excessive processing, and preservatives and other additives, as personal needs and values dictate. In addition, consumers look for functional foods that promote optimal health and help reduce the risk of disease. Resolution 3
Eat Seafood Twice a Week
Retail seafood sales volumes have slumped in recent years. Nutrition guidelines suggest eating seafood twice a week, however, to reap unique health benefits for the brain, eyes, heart and bones, and as an excellent source of high-quality protein. Be prepared to accurately answer consumers’ questions about sustainable seafood practices, wild-caught versus farmed, modern aquaculture practices, seafood quality, and safety. The Seafood Nutrition Partnership offers resources at seafoodnutrition.org.
20
progressivegrocer.com
Fuel Up for Fitness
As consumers dive into new fitness programs, they look for foods and beverages to fuel up before, during and after exercise. Retail dietitians can host Fuel Up for Fitness store tours with food, beverage and recipe tasting stations to support optimal performance and recovery. Whole foods such as honey, eggs, potatoes, bananas, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, hummus, oatmeal and chocolate milk stack up quite well alongside specially formulated sports nutritionals, including beverages, snack bars and gels. Karen Buch, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who specializes in retail dietetics and food and culinary nutrition communications. One of the first supermarket dietitians, she is now founder of and principal consultant at Nutrition Connections LLC, providing consulting services nationwide. You can connect with her on Twitter @karenbuch and at NutritionConnectionsLLC.com.