According to the International Food Informational Council (IFIC) 2014 Food and Health Survey, conducted in the U.S. in March and April 2014, the healthfulness of food and beverage products is increasingly important. Now, more than ever, shoppers are considering health benefits when filling up their grocery carts.
In the survey, three primary factors emerged that point to how shoppers make their food choices: taste (90%), price (73%), and healthfulness (71%). Though not at the top of the list just yet, 10 years ago, only 61 per cent of survey respondents found healthfulness to be an important factor.
Another interesting survey result was age. The age of shoppers can make a difference in the decision making process when it comes to practicing healthy shopping habits. Consumers aged 18-34 saw a significant increase in just one year, from 55% in 2013 to 66% in 2014. Also, the number of men listing healthfulness as important also increased from 56% in 2013 to 65% in 2014.
According to the 2013 survey conducted by Erikson Research, on behalf of the Peanut Bureau of Canada, Canadian shoppers are continuing to stock up on healthy snacks – peanuts and peanut butter. Nearly nine in 10 Canadians have peanuts or peanut butter (or both!) in their homes and 90% of respondents think peanuts or peanut butter are a healthy food choice.
This is good news for Canadians, as peanuts and peanut butter offer plenty of health benefits that other snacks don’t. For example, a serving size of dry roasted, unsalted peanuts (60 mL or ¼ cup) contains no sodium or cholesterol and a serving size of peanut butter (30 mL or 2 tbsp) is a good source of folate, magnesium, manganese, niacin and vitamin E.
To learn more about the health benefits of peanuts, visit the Peanut Bureau of Canada and keep on snacking on quality U.S.-grown peanuts!
Sources: Erickson Research (2014 Research), Food Quality News