Extending “Diet Season” beyond January
January, the month of New Year’s resolutions, may be over, but the opportunity for restaurant operators to capitalize on dieting consumers is not.
According to new data from market research firm The NPD Group, the dieting season that kicks off Jan. 1, with one out of five adults on some kind of diet, extends beyond Jan. 31. By the end of March, the number of dieting adults has grown to one in four. This year, according to NPD, dieters will not only be looking for more healthful fare and betterfor- you versions of their favorite foods, they will be seeking out restaurants that offer such items at a value.
“[Consumers are asking], ‘Can you help me address my need to diet? Can you make it easy and affordable?’” said Harry Balzer, vice president of Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD. “It poses a big challenge for operators.” “I don’t think we’re as concerned about our weight,” Balzer also said.
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“I think it’s more about eating better-for-you versions of our favorite foods. Consumers will be asking operators to offer the healthful version of what [they] like to eat.”* Add variety and value to your menu by featuring ‘better for you’ combination meals:
- Turkey or Veggie Burger with Sweet Potato Fries
- Soup/Salad/Petite Sandwich Combinations
- Appetizer combination platters featuring lettuce wraps, spinach dip, or vegetarian spring rolls
- Substitute hamburger sliders with chicken, fish, or shrimp and offer a low fat dipping sauce
- Combine sugar free flavored drink syrups with sparkling lemonade
So, while consumers are watching their waistlines, they still want to eat foods they like. Again, despite the lengthy diet season, the No. 1 foods in America still are carbonated soft drinks, French fries and hamburgers, according to NPD data. “Making healthier items as tasty as possible and promoting them is a good idea for operators.”
Sysco also helps to make offering a variety of nutritious menu items easier, by offering access to eNutrition. A webbased interactive tool that provides product nutrient information, recipe printing and nutritional analysis and nutrition information on many products carried by Sysco. For more information on eNutrition, please visit www.sysco.com/customer/eNutrition or contact your local Sysco company.
*Source: By FERN GLAZER – for Nations Restaurant News (Feb. 16, 2009)
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