New Breakfast Patterns Present Sales Opportunities For Restaurants

Restaurants could reap some major benefits from recently-reported trends in breakfast eating patterns, food writer Sasha Orman reports. A major finding of the NPD Group is that breakfast is no longer a single big-meal occasion, but tends to be spread across two or even three occasions: coffee early, a small meal or snack later, etc. NPD says this new pattern presents new opportunities to entice customers. But to get the most out of the trend, restaurants “have to know what items are selling.” With the trend toward a series of small meals, “lumberjack-sized plates” won’t bolster sales. Restaurants need to think small, versatile, flexible to maximize income.

"Restaurants Cashing In on Second Breakfast", Food and Drink Digital, March 23, 2012

Dietary Patterns In The U.S. Are Linked To Demographic Factors

Researchers have determined that there are five basic dietary patterns in the U.S., each of which is linked to demographic factors, including age, race, region, gender, income and education. The patterns were discovered through analysis of 21,636 questionnaires completed by black and white adults aged 45 and older. The five patterns are: southern (fried, processed meats, sugary drinks); traditional (Chinese and Mexican food, pasta, pizza, soup); healthy (fruits, vegetables, grains); sweets (snacks and desserts); and alcohol (proteins, alcohol, salads). The researchers found that blacks were more likely than whites to eat a southern dietary pattern and did not eat the alcohol pattern. And men, lower-income people and non-college graduates were more likely to follow the southern pattern.

"Researchers ID 'real' five food groups in the US based on eating patterns", Yahoo! News, March 14, 2012

Foods Consumed During Breakfast “Eating Occasions” Vary Widely Among Americans

Market researcher NPD Group reports that only one in five “eating occasions” experienced by Americans before 11:00 a.m. consist of a complete or full breakfast meal. Forty-three percent of breakfast-time occasions consist only of a beverage, such as coffee, but no food. Other such occasions include a small or mini meal (24 percent) or a snack (11 percent). About 38 percent of Americans limit themselves to one morning eating or drinking occasion, but 41 percent consume a small early morning meal and then a late morning beverage. NPD says knowing about morning eating occasions “helps food manufacturers size the morning opportunity …”

"U.S. Consumers Fuel Their Morning with A Mix of Eating and Drinking Behaviors, Reports NPD", Press release, NPD, March 21, 2012

Digital And Social Media Transform The Way Americans Plan, Prepare And Eat Their Meals

There has been a sea change in recent years in the way Americans buy food and plan, prepare and even eat their meals, thanks to the Internet and the rise of social media, according to a report from Publicis Consultants USA that also offers some insights for brand marketers. People rely much less on “mom and family traditions” for recipes. Half of consumers now get recipes and culinary advice from Web sites, apps, and blogs; 40 percent use Twitter and Facebook. More people – especially Millennials (18-32 years old) – share their dining experiences by texting friends or posting commentary on review sites as they eat. Marketers developing social media campaigns should create long-term, personal relationships with consumers, a strategy that succeeded for whole grain bread company Roman Meal.

"Publicis Consultants USA Study: Americans Learning More About Food Scene, Trends Via Social Media", Newsedge, March 07, 2012

Popcorn Touted As Nutrient-Rich Whole Grain Snack

People normally think of fruits and vegetables as the richest sources of the antioxidants known as polyphenols, but a recent study reports that whole-grain popcorn is an even richer source. A serving of popcorn – the only snack that is 100 percent unprocessed whole grain – packs 300 mg of polyphenols, compared to 114 mg per serving of sweet corn and 160 mg per serving of all fruits. The hulls of popcorn have the highest concentrations of polyphenols and fiber. But the researchers cautioned that though popcorn is nutritious, adding butter, salt and other high-calorie flavorings can turn the snack into a nutritional nightmare. They recommended eating air-popped popcorn for the lowest calorie count. Microwave popcorn and popcorn popped in oil both have twice as many calories as air-popped.

"Don't Forget to Eat Your Fruits, Veggies ... and Popcorn?", News report, HealthDay, March 27, 2012

The Stronger the Smell Of Food, The Smaller The Bite Size, Research Finds

Dutch research finds a correlation between the size of a bite of food and the strength of the aroma of that food, suggesting that aroma could provide a way to control portion size. Manipulating the odor of food could lead to a five to 10 percent decrease in the size of a bite consumed. For the study, participants were able to control portions of a custard-like dessert by pushing a button. Bite size was linked to aroma for the first and subsequent bites: the stronger the smell, the smaller the bite.

"Food aroma affects bite size", Flavour, March 21, 2012

Mixed News About Antioxidants: Some Damage DNA, Others Kill Cancer Cells

Using high-throughput chemical screening systems and robotics, U.S. researchers tested 4,000 chemicals for their impact on DNA, finding that 22 antioxidants actually damaged DNA. Three of the antioxidants – resveratrol, genistein and baicalein – are marketed or being studied as treatments for a variety of disorders, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteopenia and osteoporosis and chronic hepatitis, as well as serving as an anti-aging treatment. However, in addition to damaging DNA, some antioxidants actually destroyed dividing cells, including tumor cells. The researchers warned that this surprising ability may be good for treating cancer, but not so good for treating other disorders, including diabetes.

"High-throughput genotoxicity assay identifies antioxidants as inducers of DNA damage response and cell death", Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March 19, 2012

Demographic Factors Linked To Dietary Patterns In The U.S.

Researchers have determined that there are five basic dietary patterns in the U.S., each of which is linked to demographic factors, including age, race, region, gender, income and education. The patterns were discovered through analysis of 21,636 questionnaires completed by black and white adults aged 45 and older. The five patterns are: southern (fried, processed meats, sugary drinks); traditional (Chinese and Mexican food, pasta, pizza, soup); healthy (fruits, vegetables, grains); sweets (snacks and desserts); and alcohol (proteins, alcohol, salads). The researchers found that blacks were more likely than whites to eat a southern dietary pattern and did not eat the alcohol pattern. And men, lower-income people and non-college graduates were more likely to follow the southern pattern.

"Dietary Patterns Exist Among US Adults Based On Demographics", News release, presentation at the American Heart Association scientific sessions, March 13, 2012

Reducing Abdominal Fat Boosts Cardiovascular Performance

People who are overweight can improve the expansion capability of their arteries and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by losing weight, especially in the belly area, on either a low-fat or low-carb diet, a U.S. study has found. For the study, 60 men and women who weighed an average of 215 pounds went on either a low-fat or low-carb diet for six months. Those on the low-carb diet lost an average of 28.9 pounds; those on the low-fat diet lost an average of 18.9 pounds. The researchers then measured arterial constriction after weight loss, finding that the amount of improvement in blood vessels was directly linked to how much belly fat was lost, regardless of the diet they were on.

"Losing Belly Fat Whether from a Low-Carb or a Low-Fat Diet, Helps Improve Blood Vessel Function", News release, presentation at the American Heart Association scientific meeting, March 13, 2012

Study Finds That Sugary Drinks Increase Risk Of Heart Disease In Men

U.S. researchers who analyzed health data from nearly 43,000 men found that those who drank a 12-ounce sugary beverage every day were 20 percent more likely to experience heart disease than those who didn’t drink sugary beverages. Participants were mainly white males, aged 40-75 years, employed in a health-related profession. The researchers said the study’s findings add to the growing evidence that sugar-sweetened beverages “are detrimental to cardiovascular health.” The study found no correlation between consumption of artificially sweetened beverages and an increase risk of biomarkers for heart disease.

"Sweetened Beverage Consumption, Incident Coronary Heart Disease and Biomarkers of Risk in Men", Circulation, March 12, 2012

The Right Snacks Can Help Dieters Lose Weight

Americans are getting more of their daily calories today from snacks than they did three decades ago, dietitian Megan Murphy writes. And they eat many more salty snacks (low- and high-fat), candy, nuts, seeds and cereals. Snacking on high-fat desserts like cake has decreased, but snacking on low-fat desserts has increased. However, she notes, snacking doesn’t necessarily have to contribute to the obesity epidemic and can be a healthy part of a weight-loss diet, if certain guidelines are followed: eat low-calorie snacks – 100 to 200 calories – to stave off hunger;  avoid sugary or fatty snacks; choose snacks rich in protein and fiber; carry healthy snacks with you rather than buying junk snacks; and eat smaller meals after snacking during the day. 

"Snack time: Eating between meals may help dieters lose weight, but keep it reasonable", Commercial Appeal, March 26, 2012

Balanced Diet May Be Key Strategy For Relieving Depressive Disorders

Recent research finds that poor dietary habits -- too much sugary, salty and fatty processed foods -- are at least partly responsible for mood disorders experienced by nine percent of Americans. British research found that a diet loaded with chocolates, sweet desserts, fried food, refined cereals and high-fat dairy increased the risk of depression among middle aged people, while a diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish  lowered the risk. Likewise, processed foods that contribute to inflammation are a risk factor for depression and may explain the link between cardiovascular disease and mood disorders. Eating a balanced diet -- grains, fruits, legumes, and starchy vegetables plus protein foods -- allows tryptophan, and the “feel good” chemical serotonin, to get into the brain, elevating one’s mood.

"Boost mood with whole foods", Environmental Nutrition, March 01, 2012