The NPD Group is a consumer research marketing company that researches marketing trends around the world. The executive director, Joe Derochowski, spoke at the annual meeting of the American Sugar Alliance, where he explained that the baby boomer generation is looking for healthier food choices in the years to come. The baby boomer generation is generally considered to be those people born between 1946 and 1964, or children born after World War II.
The baby boomers have had a tremendous effect on the US economy because of the number of people that make up that generation. About 25 percent of the American population is part of the baby boomer generation. They are also considered important because they have disposable income to spend. As they age, the needs of the baby boomers change; therefore, new products and services have been developed. It is exciting that as the baby boomers turn 50 and older, healthy eating and healthy living are becoming important. The food and beverage industries are keeping up with the baby boomers’ new interests in healthy food as an antidote for their aging processes. Baby boomers are looking at foods to help relieve symptoms like fatigue, indigestion, pain, memory loss and vision problems. The term “functional foods” is defined by Medical Food News as foods formulated with naturally occurring chemicals (or combinations of chemicals), which are found in many fruits, vegetables, grains, herbs and spices. They provide health benefits, lower the risk of certain diseases or affect particular body processes. These “functional foods” are favorites of the baby boomers to help with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and joint pain.
The baby boomers are setting a trend of eating more healthy foods and demanding food products that support healthy eating and living.
Live Vibrantly.
Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/02/us-food-usa-idUSTRE7715A020110802
http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2008/287.html
http://www.medicinalfoodnews.com/vol01/issue1/ffood011
Reviewed August 3, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg R.N.
Edited by Kate Kunkel
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“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.