Consumers have a high interest in fruits and vegetables for their health potential, but many don’t know how to incorporate them into their daily eating habits. Two Prepared Foods R&D Seminar presenters share their ideas for making consumers fall in love with veggies and fruits
Raisins are an ingredient that makes food more visually appealing, tasteful and nutritious. According to 2015 IFIC data, taste, price, healthfulness, convenience and sustainability are the top five drivers of consumer choices in foods and beverages. On food packages, consumers look at expiration dates, nutrition facts panels, ingredient lists, serving size and servings per container, calorie and other nutrition information, and brand name. (See chart “Factors Influencing Consumer Choices.”)
“Sensual Nutrition” is a term being used to describe a process of enticing consumers to eat foods by making them look great, with wonderful aromas and flavors, and then making them healthy by stealth. Some foods are being described as “slightly healthier,” which might mean plenty of vegetables; right-sized portions; grilled, fresh ingredients; or lower in calories. The Sensual Nutrition process takes a dish and “romances” it by making it slightly healthier—while promoting the sensual characteristics—such as the sizzle of a grilled burger, now served with crisp sweet potato fries.