The assortment of fast food establishments, convenience stores, and vending machines in just about every corner of residential America has produced a serious nutritional problem. “Snacking” – a harmless-sounding verb that deceivingly suggests something unobjectionable – has attained addictive proportions[i].
The manifestation of this addiction goes well beyond simple obesity one thing that is widely thought of to be a serious public health crisis[ii]. Even amid non-obese Americans, research workers are identifying a wave of common malnutrition that's sweeping across the country thanks to addictive snacking habits[iii].
This dependence on snacking is enhanced, ironically, by the somewhat perplexing array 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]. Actually, the majority of “lo-carb” labeled foods are comprised of little more than harmful saturated fats and even worse, they have an incredibly high calorie count[v].
In addition, many self-professed “lo-carb” foods are dangerously devoid of key proteins and vitamins. The resulting nutritional deficiency often compels dieters – even subconsciously -- to desire stimulating foods of all kinds. These cravings typically include what is closest at hand: snacks and other nutritionally bankrupt junk foods.
Snacking is definitely a problem that America should begin resolving during the first few years of this twenty first} century. A true, sensible, concrete answer is required now more than ever before, because education and awareness are not sufficient.
This does not mean 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 produce a number of better eating alternatives. Without a doubt, the “lighter fare” selections in restaurants, and also the occasional granola bar in a vending machine that's otherwise full with chocolate bars, are laudable gains that education and awareness have encouraged. Nevertheless education and awareness are, in and of themselves, evidently not halting this epidemic addiction to snacking fast enough.
Adding to the problem is that so many of those junk food products are packaged in a way that implies some semblance of nutritional significance. Terms like “on the go” or “instant meal” or “for busy lifestyles” embellish many packages for foods that are in effect nothing more than glorified snack foods foods that are absolutely not providing the vitamins and proteins that a healthy diet requires.
So, a brand new approach to fixing this problem is needed one that stems from the momentum gained by awareness and education, however produces a true, tangible product in the hands of Americans who want to regain control over what makes them move.
Attempts have been made, particularly in the last ten years, to provide Americans with this tangible solution. Nutritional energy bars currently line the shelves of the many convenience stores, and rather than energy infusion via a chocolate bar, more individuals are opting for these seemingly healthier products. This is a positive step in the right direction however it's not nearly enough.
Products like those referred to above, while somewhat better than candy bars, are not rich in vital proteins or fortified by essential vitamins. So while ”snackers” are better off when they're eating one of those nutritional bars than they might be if they consumed a bag of potato chips, they're not as well off as they suppose 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 deficiency that's not going to be filled unless extra nutrition is provided.
It is within this paradigm – the hunt for a complete “tangible” nutrition supply that's rich in protein and essential vitamins – that forward-thinking corporations are engineering smarter products. These nutritionally advanced solutions are carbohydrate-free, fat-free, and low calorie total meal sources for snackers of all varieties, as well as those who are dieting.
There are, admittedly, only a terribly small number of firms and products that are delivering nutritionally intelligent products into the hands of snackers. But, the fact that these progressive corporations – and their revolutionary products – exist is a positive sign, and one that just might in time be the turning point in America’s war against poor dietary habits.
[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
Founded in 2001, Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect (www.profect.com), IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility. One area of specialty is the manufacturing of Medicare-approved, whey protein liquid for bariatric patients.
You can learn more about Protica at www.protica.com - Copyright - Protica Research
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