In Mintel’s report “Protein: Is It the Next Big Thing?” (EU) the research company explores why more and more consumers care about protein in food products. Protein is the “it” ingredient that consumers are turning to for maintaining satiety, aiding in maintaining energy levels and helping with weight loss. But is this a trend that has staying power?
At the IFT Wellness 2014 conference in Chicago, a number of members from the consumer panel on snacking choices mentioned seeking out snack products with higher protein (EU) as they perceive them to be healthier for them and keep them feeling fuller longer. Items like protein shakes (EU), greek yogurt (EU) and nuts replaced donuts, chips and candy when consumers sought out healthier food choices.
This is a direct reflection of Mintel’s report, which highlights protein drinks, smoothies, yogurt, granola bars and other snacks with protein messages clearly featured on their labels. Consumers are making the connection that increased amounts of protein lead to satiety (EU) and may help control their urges to indulge when managing their weight. And food product developers are responding by creating products with protein claims “in virtually every category.”
As consumers become more savvy, more websites are offering ways for them to calculate how much protein they need to consume – protein number calculators, once only popular on body building sites, are showing up on cereal sites for moms! Claims of protein content are appearing on nearly every aisle of the supermarket, including infant foods (EU), demonstrating that it is not just a claim for sports nutrition products alone.
Read Mintel’s report (EU) on recent new product launches that feature protein as a facet of their formulations.
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