More and more shoppers are focused not only on how food tastes, but how it can improve their health and the way they feel. March is National Nutrition Month—and the perfect time to feature healthy choices for shoppers.
One of the simplest ways to highlight the health benefits of items you’re sampling is to know nutrition labels inside and out. Be sure to review the labels on products you’re sampling ahead of time, and point out the most appealing benefits to shoppers. For example, look for low calorie (40 or less per serving), fat (3 g or less) and sodium (less than 140 mg) counts, and high fiber, vitamin and mineral contents (more than 20 percent of the daily value).
Also look at the ingredients list and point out the things many shoppers want to know most about, such as the inclusion of whole grains and a lack of high fructose corn syrup. Show shoppers how they can use labels to make other healthy choices throughout the store as well.
Knowing what special claims mean—and how they can boost health—can be another good way to help shoppers make nutritious choices. For example, probiotic yogurts or frozen treats with live and active cultures can help with healthy digestion. High-protein cereals, granola bars and other snacks can support a healthy weight and strong muscles.
You can also help teach shoppers how to build balanced meals using your product. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with protein and one-quarter with grains. With such variety, almost any product can help make a healthy meal. For example, baked beans or frozen seafood make delicious—and easy—protein servings and rice and pasta mixes get grains on the plate in a flash. Frozen and prepared meals can do double duty, such as lasagna with meat sauce: grains and protein in one!