Today, many people are looking within to improve their well-being amidst the whirlwind of modern life. Recognizing the link between what we consume and how we feel, there’s a growing trend toward achieving a balance of necessary sustenance, moderate indulgence, and overall nutrition.
This consumer-driven focus on dietary choices was caused by a rise in easily accessible nutritional information thanks to the internet, social media, and the increasing amount of health and nutrition apps. Digital technology has allowed people to understand and apply nutritional wisdom to their lives like never before.
“Better informed consumers increasingly recognize the impact food has on their physical and emotional well-being,” noted Nick Graham, Mondelēz International’s Senior Vice President, Global Head of Insights and Analytics, in the company’s State of Snacking: Future Trends report.
Nutrition has been put in the spotlight by other key factors, too – like the threat of lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes coupled with a growing awareness of the relationship between mental health and gut health.
Facts mentioned in the report revealed some eye-opening statistics regarding consumers’ growing focus on health, such as:
Permissible Indulgence Increases
The rise of functional foods and beverages – those designed to provide specific health benefits – illustrates society’s ongoing shift. From brain-boosting omega-3s to gut-friendly probiotics, the demand for foods that do more than just satisfy hunger is soaring.
Modern consumers scan product labels and seek transparency regarding ingredients, their origins, and their impact on health. This is driving a transformation in product labeling, where the absence of artificial additives and the presence of straightforward, easy-to-understand information leads to trustworthiness.
Even amid the landscape of functional nutrition, though, there remains a space for indulgence – an acknowledgment of food’s role not just as fuel but as a source of comfort. The concept of permissible indulgence – where smaller portions of treats are savored without guilt – reflects that understanding.
Moving forward, nutrition and technology promise to further change society’s approach to health. Technology like smart devices increasingly enable individual health and nutrition tracking, which can be used to develop and track personalized diet plans that will maximize the positive impact of nutrition, of individual health and well-being. While this remains an emerging field, the high consumer interest in personalized nutrition – based on the abundance of wearables designed to aid that pursuit – suggests considerable future potential.
The Food Institute Podcast
How does one jump from aerospace engineering into plant-based chicken nugget production? That’s exactly the leap that Christie Lagally, CEO & Founder of Rebellyous Foods, took in search of producing a healthier chicken nugget. Learn more about her company’s focus on animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and human health in this episode of The Food Institute Podcast.
