Consumers today are becoming more health-conscious, demanding products made with natural, clean ingredients and produced in an eco-friendly manner.
Even when they are committed to health and sustainability, consumers can sometimes struggle to translate their efforts into concrete actions. Producers and retailers need to help consumers by providing easy-to-understand product information and access to appropriate foods.
All-Natural
As you shop the grocery store aisles, chances are good you have seen products labeled “natural” or “all natural.” While these labels may entice health-conscious customers, it is crucial that consumers understand exactly what these labels mean.
Vox reports that due to FDA’s lack of standards regarding what can be labeled “natural”, products containing synthetic components could still be labeled as such.
The term does not refer to specific farming practices; animals raised with hormones or antibiotics still fall under this classification. As such, when making food decisions it’s vitally important to carefully consider all information on a Nutrition Facts panel before making decisions based solely on label information alone.
Organic
Once only available at specialty health food stores and farmers markets, organic products are now widely available at most supermarkets. Organic fruits, vegetables and dairy have greater nutritional value and lower pesticide residue than their conventional counterparts, plus contain antioxidants which protect cells against natural chemical oxidation rates that could damage them.
Consumer attitudes towards organic products can influence their buying behavior, as evidenced by a positive correlation between purchase intentions and actual purchase behaviors. Research confirms that health consciousness, knowledge, subjective norms and price all play significant roles in shaping consumers’ purchasing behaviors of organic food products.
Vegan
Veganism involves ditching foods made with meat, eggs, dairy, or any animal products altogether and its advantages include lower cholesterol levels, decreased risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke, moderate caloric intake that helps combat obesity, cruelty-free labelling (commonly depicted with a leaping bunny symbol) and the Vegan Trademark to make sure products contain no animal extracts or byproducts and were never tested on animals – benefits include lower cholesterol levels.
Foods technically classified as vegan may still contain milk as an ingredient because their production lines share with dairy products; this does not contribute to animal exploitation and omnivores may ingest trace amounts of milk molecules anyway.
Non-GMO
As consumers become more wary of genetically modified organisms and their health impacts, more are turning towards non-GMO products as an organic and more natural way to meet food production. Furthermore, these solutions also address concerns over seed patent consolidation and high tech lab solutions to food production.
Check food products with the Non-GMO Project Verified label to identify non-GMO options, especially if you suffer from food allergies or sensitivities; GMO foods may contain new proteins introduced during genetic modification processes that could trigger allergic responses in some individuals. You can also search the Organic & Non-GMO Sourcebook for certified suppliers of seeds, grains, ingredients animal feed and processed crop inputs.
Gluten-Free
Gluten-free diets have become popular strategies to manage conditions like celiac disease and nonceliac gluten sensitivity, where even trace amounts of gluten can trigger an immune response and cause discomfort and inflammation. The good news is that many nutrient-rich grains, salad greens, pre-prepared soups & sauces as well as beverages naturally don’t contain gluten!
An exclusively gluten-free diet may increase your risk of nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, it’s essential that labels specifying ‘gluten-free’ are read before making decisions on food purchases and shared kitchens are maintained as separate zones with separate cooking and eating utensils used exclusively by gluten-free diet participants.
Indulgent
Long considered opposite ends of the snacking spectrum, health and indulgence now often coincide. Many consumers recognize this intersection and prefer products which combine both aspects: healthy ingredients with an indulgent flair.
indulgence foods offer many benefits, from satisfying cravings and seeking pleasure, to dining out and premium product consumption – and joining organic, local or slow/artisanal food movements.
These trends provide brands with an opportunity to offer healthier versions of classic indulgent treats that still provide an experience of pleasure and comfort, creating a more balanced approach to eating that may reduce feelings of guilt or overindulgence.
