Diets - Turning an
Addictive Snack Into a Complete Meal
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.
About Protica
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.
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
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