ATLANTA (December 31, 2009) – Recessionistas and calorie counters will be leading the way in 2010, according to the Calorie Control Council. Recessionistas will be looking for value while also considering their overall health and counting calories. (The Calorie Control Council is an international association representing the low-calorie and reduced-fat food and beverage industry and has been tracking dieting and weight loss trends for more than 20 years.) Beth Hubrich, a registered dietitian and executive director of the Calorie Control Council weighed in on this issue stating, “Consumers are considering their health as well as their pocketbooks. Although there may be an uptick in the economy, people are looking not only to improve their financial health but also their physical health.”
Consumers are still expecting foods to provide added benefits and are looking for the most bang for their buck. Clipping coupons and looking for the best price on their favorite, healthier foods will continue to be in vogue with “recessionistas.” At the same time, watching calories and budgeting overall caloric intake will also remain important. And, in a cash strapped economy, consumers will look for easy, inexpensive ways to exercise. The Council predicts the following five trends when it comes to dieting, weight loss and physical activity in 2010:
The trends for 2010 will focus on foods with “added value” – both health and dollar wise – while consumers look for ways to budget calories and dollars.