Calorie Control Council Predicts Increased Use of Low-Calorie Products in 2013

Although a study in the January 2012 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association, reported that rates of obesity in the US have leveled off, many people still have pounds to shed. As "metabolic syndrome" works its way into Americans’ daily vocabulary, people are increasingly aware of not only their need to lose weight, but also to improve their overall health.

25 Feb 2013 --- With so many American’s focusing on nutrition and health, what trends will emerge in 2013? The CCC is making these predictions when it comes to weight loss and obesity for the coming year:

1. Increased use of Low-Calorie Products: Research has shown that more people are now opting for low-calorie products as part of a healthful diet. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at recent trends in the consumption of food and beverages that contain low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) and found that 28% of the total US population consumes LCS products. Increases in the consumption of LCS-containing beverages were most notable for children, females, and obese adults.
2. Using apps to help track calories, weight and exercise: Calorie-counting apps are a go-to for people trying to lose weight on the go. People are using apps to track meals, calories and workouts, and some apps even let you scan products off the super market shelf for entry into a database. Some of the more popular ones include: Lost It!, Fooducate, Locavore, My Fitness Pal, Diet Assist, Thryve, Endomondo, and My Diet Coach.
3. Clean eating: The Paleo diet has been popular in recent years, but its popularity is waning as people realize that the meat-centric diet might not be so great for cholesterol levels or the environment. Instead, it is morphing into "clean eating," a focus on more whole foods, fruits and vegetables and lean proteins.
4. Going gluten free: Avoiding the wheat protein, gluten, is a must for individuals with Celiac disease. However, more and more people without the disease have been adopting the diet in an attempt to lose weight. There is no scientific research to support this strategy, and it may be misguided by the fact that many gluten-free foods are high in calories, so cutting out these foods can lead to weight loss due to a decrease in overall calorie consumption.
5. Creative ways to work out: Workouts in 2013 look nothing like they did 10 years ago. Americans are coming up with new and creative ways to burn calories through group activities like boot camp, Zumba, Pure Barr, yoga, mud races, and hashing.

This year brings a lot of promises for health and fitness. People are becoming more creative in their workouts and inviting friends to go with them as well as conscientiously making better food choices. "Making healthy choices at the grocery store, choosing diet soda, or going to a fitness class with a friend are small steps people can take to help improve their overall health," according to Theresa Hedrick, a registered dietitian with the Calorie Control Council.

Overall, according to the Calorie Control Council, 2013 will be a year of positive change when it comes to calorie control – both calories consumed, and calories burned. "Keep a daily exercise and food diary to really see how many calories you’re putting in and burning back off," advises Hedrick. "And, find a friend or family member to exercise with and compare healthy eating notes. A little friendly competition can help you stay focused on your goals."

Source: Calorie Control Council