VIDEO: A Shift in Americans’ Demand for Protein

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a new installment of his video series with Convenience Store News parent company, Stagnito Business Information + Edgell Communications, Phil Lempert discusses a change that is now taking place around Americans’ desire for protein.

While Americans’ demand for protein shows no signs of slowing down in 2016, Lempert explained that it's evolving to focus more on plant-based options than animal protein. He cited several findings from a new report from Packaged Facts entitled Food Formulation & Ingredient Trends: Plant Proteins.

The research report found that:

• Half of Americans now believe plants are the best source of protein;
• Consumers increasingly want more non-meat, protein-enriched foods, such as bagels and nondairy beverages; and
• Many consumers are likely turning away from animal proteins as a way to avoid residues of antibiotics and hormones found in meat;

The report also indicates that this desire for more plant-based protein options stems in part from consumers’ better understanding that plant-based proteins provide the same benefits as animal protein in terms of satiety, energy, building muscle mass and strength, and helping in weight management. In addition, consumers now recognize that eating plant proteins is a way to avoid saturated fat, cholesterol, and allergic reactions to dairy and eggs.

“Animal welfare, especially led by the millennials, also increasingly is a reason that consumers are turning to plant-based alternatives,” Lempert said. About two-thirds of Americans are interested in sustainable food options and the environmental impact of their food choices, he cited from the research.  

Lempert is founder of The Lempert Report, a food trends publication, and SupermarketGuru.com, a leading online resource for food safety, products, trends and shopping tips that attracts more than nine million visitors annually. 

As CSNews Online previously reported, Lempert and Stagnito + Edgell forged an exclusive strategic alliance that allows Lempert to provide content and programming to multiple CPG retail media brands within the Stagnito + Edgell portfolio, including Convenience Store News and Progressive Grocer. 

Click above to watch the video.