|
Turning an Addictive Snack into a Complete Meal |
|
|
|
Written by Protica Nutritional Research
|
|
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending machines in virtually every corner of residential America has created a serious nutritional problem. “Snacking” – a harmless-sounding verb that deceptively implies somethi....
Turning an Addictive Snack into a Complete Meal
by: Protica Nutritional Research
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending machines in virtually every corner of residential America has created a serious nutritional problem. “Snacking” – a harmless-sounding verb that deceptively implies something unobjectionable – has reached addictive proportions[i].
The manifestation of this addiction goes beyond mere obesity something that is widely considered to be a severe public health crisis[ii]. Even among non-obese Americans, researchers are identifying a wave of general malnutrition that is sweeping across the country due to addictive snacking habits[iii].
This addiction to snacking is enhanced, ironically, by the rather confusing range of so-called diet-friendly foods on the market. Some foods that are dubbed “lo-carb” diet-foods are actually causing weight gain among some dieters[iv]. In fact, some “lo-carb” labeled foods are comprised of little more than unhealthy saturated fats and even worse, they have an incredibly high calorie count[v].
Furthermore, many self-professed “lo-carb” foods are dangerously devoid of essential proteins and vitamins. The resulting nutritional shortage often compels dieters – even subconsciously -- to crave stimulating foods of all kinds. These cravings often include what is closest at hand: snacks and other nutritionally bankrupt junk foods.
Snacking is indeed a problem that America must begin resolving within the first few years of this 21 century. A real, practical, tangible solution is required now more than ever before, because education and awareness are not enough.
This does not imply that education and awareness aren’t vital allies in the fight against snacking and unhealthy eating. Education and awareness have played an important role thus far, and have helped create a number of healthier eating options. Indeed, the “lighter fare” choices in restaurants, and the occasional granola bar in a vending machine that is otherwise loaded with chocolate bars, are worthy gains that education and awareness have inspired. Yet education and awareness are, in and of themselves, evidently not halting this epidemic addiction to snacking quickly enough.
Adding to the problem is that so many of these junk food products are packaged in a way that implies some semblance of nutritional value. Terms like “on the go” or “instant meal” or “for busy lifestyles” adorn many packages for foods that are virtually nothing more than glorified snack foods foods that are absolutely not providing the vitamins and proteins that a healthy diet requires.
Therefore, a new approach to solving this problem is required one that stems from the momentum gained by awareness and education, but delivers a real, tangible product in the hands of Americans who want to regain control over what makes them move.
Attempts have been made, especially in the last decade, to provide Americans with this tangible solution. Nutritional energy bars now line the counter shelves of many convenience stores, and instead of energy infusion via a chocolate bar, more people are opting for these seemingly “healthier”. This is a positive step but it is not enough.
Products such as these mentioned above, while somewhat better than candy bars, are not rich in essential proteins or fortified by essential vitamins. So while ”snackers” are better off after eating one of these nutritional bars than they would be if they consumed a bag of potato chips, they are not as well off as they think they are or that the nutritional bar packaging implies that they will be. These snackers still face a shortage of protein and essential vitamins a shortage that is not going to be filled unless additional nutrition is provided.
It is within this paradigm – the search for a complete “tangible” nutrition source that is rich in protein and essential vitamins – that forward-thinking companies are engineering smarter products. These nutritionally advanced solutions are carbohydrate-free, fat-free, and low calorie complete meal sources for snackers of all types, including those that are dieting.
There are, admittedly, only a very small number of companies and products that are delivering nutritionally intelligent products into the hands of snackers. However, the fact that these progressive companies – and their innovative products – exist is a positive sign, and one that just may eventually be the turning point in America’s war against poor eating habits.
References
[i] Source: “Survey: America’s Addicted to Snacking”. Channel 3000 Health. http://html.channel3000.com/sh/health/conditionsaz/news-health-990730-141923.html
[ii] Source: “Obesity Epidemic `Astronomical’”. WebMD. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/57/66035.htm
[iii] Source: “Americans Shrinking ad Junk Food Takes its Toll”. Guardian Unlimited Special Reports. http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1185457,00.html
[iv] Source: “Low Carb Confusion”. MSN Diet and Fitness. http://diet.fitness.msn.com/article/773599.armx
[v] Source: “Low Carb Diets”. ABC& Chicago. http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/connectwithkids/091504_cwk_lowcarb.html
About The Author
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - www.protica.com
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com.
This article was posted on January 08, 2005
|
|
Random News |
- Low Speed Impact "Injury" Facts
Low Speed impacts are those that take pace at speeds under 10 MPH. There’s often little (if any) visible Property Damage done to the rear of ones motor vehicle. However, those who are struck (especially in the rear) often have injuries, especially....
Read more
- Selling Effectively on Ebay Motors
Remember back when selling online was a new experience? Dealers tried everything to sell their vehicles online. Today’s market has expanded to include several hot online marketplaces but there is the largest online marketplace, Ebay. Ebay has e....
Read more
- Effective Online Car Sales on Ebay Motors
Remember back when selling online was a new experience? Dealers tried everything to sell their vehicles online. Today’s market has expanded to include several hot online marketplaces. The largest online marketplace is Ebay. Ebay has evolved in....
Read more
- FAQ on Modifying the Toyota Supra
What does BPU™ stand for? (BPU™ is a trademark of SupraStore.com)Basic Performance Upgrades. These modifications are: A full length three inch down-pipe (with or with-out high flow cats), 3” (75mm) or bigger cat-back exhaust system, raised boost....
Read more
|
|
