Are we really what we eat?

Well, 75% of global respondents of the 2015 Nielsen Global Health and Wellness Survey believe that they are what they eat. Today, consumers are more focused on their health and what they are eating than ever before.

Overall, Americans plan on buying more natural, fresh foods to maintain a healthy diet, with 60% of North American consumers changing their diets to include these foods. The impact of this focus on fresh is evident in the store with fresh departments contributing to 37% of food dollar sales.

Fresh is influencing consumers eating habits and is helping to redefine how they eat, with a particular focus on occasion trends that are on the upswing:

• Eating out of the home 
• Meal solutions
• Snacking
• Health and wellness 

When it comes to out-of-home eating, we’re doing more of it than ever before. 2015 was the first time ever consumers spent more eating out than on their grocery bill. This shift continues to grow and is influenced by lower gas prices and more choices for a variety of meal occasions from quick serve restaurants to overall healthier options.

Restaurants aren’t the only ones taking notice of the importance of fresh and healthy options. Drug and convenience retailers have been increasing their fresh offerings. With more access to fresh options, consumers are split on where they spend their time and money.

Wherever we’re spending, convenience is key. Consumers are not only replacing meals with snacks, they are looking for convenient meal solutions, such as full meals and meal components. The demand for meal solutions is driving the deli department to have the highest growth of all the fresh departments. Retailers are seeing more success in deli when making it a dining destination with salad bars, rice bowls and other dine-in options.