Produce Packed: The Rise of Healthy Alternatives

Produce Packed: The Rise of Healthy Alternatives

The popularity of produce filled diets is only growing and it shows, in early 2019 the Mediterranean diet was been crowned the best diet of the year and our major supermarkets are continually increasing their alternative options.

Since your school days you have probably heard that you should be eating about 5 serves of vegetables and 2 serves of fruit every day, and finally it seems that diet trends are starting to reflect that recommendation. It’s a positive move that discourages the unhealthy “starve-yourselfskinny” diets like the 5:2 diet and major calorie restrictions, and instead focuses on what you are eating overall and finding balance.

In early 2019 this trend was reflected in the Mediterranean diet being voted the Best Overall Diet for the year, and it also took top spot in several smaller categories such as the Best Diet for Healthy Eating, Best Plant-Based Diet, Best Diet for Diabetes, and Easiest Diet to Follow. The central message of the Mediterranean Diet, which has always been a core element of traditional Mediterranean cooking, is that fruit and veg are king and need to be the base of your diet. This diet focuses on fruit and vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, and — as any Nonna would tell you — a good dollop of extra virgin olive oil. Red meat does appear at times, but it is not meant to be the central element of a dish, instead it’s just one of many flavours — however, fish is an often-used ingredient.

Studies conducted on this diet have found that it is capable of reducing the risk of diabetes and high cholesterol, while it also can be a preventative for dementia, memory loss, depression, and breast cancer. And of course, there is also the added benefit of weight loss on top of all that.

The popularity of this diet isn’t surprising when you look at recent consumer tendencies when buying fresh fruit and vegetables, and also the rise of vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. Veganism in particular is skyrocketing in popularity, and Australia has been reported by Euromonitor as the third-fastest growing vegan market globally. With the increased concern over humanity’s effect on the environment only rising, it is no wonder that people are seeking diets that they perceive to do less harm overall.

This increased interest in Veganism is clearly getting through to the major players in the supermarket industry, with Coles and Woolworths both predicted to continue increasing their vegan/vegetarian options in 2019. Woolworth’s Senior Nutritionist, Natalie Chong, has said that Woolworths “have seen a double digit increase in demand for vegan products in the past year, and are working to create even more choice and variety for our customers”. As for Coles, in 2018 they launched their frozen vegan-ready meals, and with the increased interest are likely to follow Woolworth’s in growing their range of vegan offerings.

The public’s interest in fresh fruit and vegetables and making these a base element of their daily diets is a sign of good things to come for the fruit and vegetable industry, as this trend seems to only be increasing in popularity and leading Aussie families toward healthier lifestyles.