Dive Brief:
- A recent ORC International survey conducted for Ready Pac Foods found that although 81% of consumers wished they made healthier choices during the holiday season, nearly seven out of 10 have no plans to make their holiday meals any better for them.
- 37% of survey respondents also reported that they could eat healthier with simple meal substitutions, such as switching instant macaroni and cheese for an organic salad kit.
- 30% of millennial respondents reported that they plan to eat healthier this holiday season, while only 19% of Baby Boomers plan to make healthier choices.
Dive Insight:
The Calorie Control Council noted that the average American may consume more than 4,500 calories and a whopping 229 grams of fat during a typical holiday gathering.
Ready Pac is pushing its healthy meal alternatives during Thanksgiving, something other manufacturers in the fresh food segment may choose to do in the future. However, given the survey results, it's unclear if promoting healthier food will inspire people to give up their traditional Thanksgiving calorie fest.
According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy alternatives to the typical Thanksgiving meal — turkey smothered in gravy, candied yams, buttered corn and pumpkin pie — include wild rice mushroom soup, herb-roasted turkey au jus and glazed turkey breast with fruit and wild rice stuffing.
Mintel’s latest Global Food and Drink Trends 2017 report noted that consumers are expected to continue their search for healthy options that fit into everyday life. Manufacturers who stick with less healthy traditional ingredients may find sales disappointing in the year ahead.