Trends

As retail dietitians, I think we can all agree that our jobs rock! We not only get to share our passion for food and nutrition daily, but we are also surrounded by food all day, every day. What’s even more fun is getting the exciting (and sometimes super-secret) scoop on the newest products and trends. 

We’ve all heard it’s important to eat more fruits and vegetables, and many nutrition experts are recommending plant-based diets. However, a “plant-based” eating pattern doesn’t mean eating only plants. In this video, Whitney English, RDN explains how eggs can be the perfect complement to a plant-based diet.

These days, people are topping just about anything with eggs – salads, pizzas…you name it! The recent trend to “put an egg on it,” not only has tasty culinary implications by adding variety to everyday fare, but it also provides nutritional benefits as well. In this video, Tawnie Kroll, RDN explains why you should hop on the #putaneggonit trend.

Eggs are among the few foods that supply both choline and lutein, nutrients that are important for brain development, memory, and life-long learning. In this video, Maggie Moon, RDN explains how nutrients in eggs can contribute to brain health.

Many consumers lack confidence when it comes to selecting and preparing a variety of meat and poultry products, but at the same time they are interested in finding and trying new, easy-to-prepare recipes. Technology may provide solutions in the form of small appliances and expert advice. Here is a quick review of popular cooking technologies with suggested promotional opportunities:

Marketwatch has an interesting column explaining the hyperlocal movement that is happening in cities across the US.

Memorial Day and summer holidays are a great opportunity for retail dietitians to highlight the versatility of tofu as a healthy, plant-based ingredient that everyone can enjoy. 

Retail dietitians can be better equipped to lead shoppers on the journey to healthier eating patterns if they have insight into how consumers eat and plan for today’s mealtime.

Many businesses and brands have discovered that personalization and individualized content create an improved, more satisfying user experience for today’s consumers. Some brands, such as Nutrisystem are using nutrigenomics (the scientific study of the interaction of nutrition and genes) as a way to help consumers find personalized solutions for weight management. Courtney McCormick, MPH RD, Manager of Clinical Research and Nutrition for Tivity Health, which recently acquired Nutrisystem, answers questions regarding how this testing may apply to the retail setting:

Feeding infants and toddlers can certainly be a challenge for parents but retail dietitians are in a perfect position to provide meal tips and recommendations to encourage optimal nutrition for their little ones. The 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans will include birth to 24-month nutrition recommendations. Be prepared to show your shoppers how to put this guidance into practice with the expert advice and products your store(s) have to offer: