The sluggish economy is changing the way consumers shop, drive, play and eat. According to Beth Hubrich, MS, RD, of the Calorie Control Council dwindling dollars will also affect diet and nutrition trends in 2009.
“With the continued rise in obesity, weight gain prevention has become just as important as weight loss,” she says. “This, coupled with a decline in the economy, has many consumers searching for quality nutrition on a budget.”
Among the Council’s diet/nutrition predictions for the coming year are a continued interest in budgeting calories with low- and reduced-calorie foods, and getting the most nutrition for their buck by increasingly seeking out functional foods and beverages.