A study by Opinion Dynamics Corporation, a marketing research firm, says that while the percentage of consumers who said they are currently on low-carbohydrate diets declined from 11 percent in August, to 6 percent in December, the dawn of the new year – accompanied, as usual, by resolutions about weight loss – also has brought about a comeback by low-carb diets.
In a survey done by the company, “the percentage of respondents who claim to be on a low-carb diet increased from a low of 6 percent in December 2004 up to 15 percent, the highest figure we have seen to date. While it is likely, that some of these consumers will discontinue the diet as the year progresses, there is still life left in low-carb diets.”
However, the firm noted, “even if interest in low carb diets is making a comeback, this does not necessarily mean manufacturers should expect a substantial increase in sales of low-carb products whose sales were so disappointing in 2004. As we found in one of the studies conducted last year, most people on low-carb diets do not look for low-carb alternatives to high carb foods; they simply decrease or eliminate the types of foods that are typically high in carbs.”
In the same study, by the way, respondents were asked to choose one particular nutrition claim that was most important to them. The most common answer was overall fat; 21 percent consider fat content more important than any of the other claims. This is followed by protein (13 percent), calcium (12 percent), saturated fat (12 percent), and trans fat (11 percent). It is worth noting that 11 percent of the public, which corresponds to roughly 22 million adults, place a greater importance on trans fat than on any other issue.
In a survey done by the company, “the percentage of respondents who claim to be on a low-carb diet increased from a low of 6 percent in December 2004 up to 15 percent, the highest figure we have seen to date. While it is likely, that some of these consumers will discontinue the diet as the year progresses, there is still life left in low-carb diets.”
However, the firm noted, “even if interest in low carb diets is making a comeback, this does not necessarily mean manufacturers should expect a substantial increase in sales of low-carb products whose sales were so disappointing in 2004. As we found in one of the studies conducted last year, most people on low-carb diets do not look for low-carb alternatives to high carb foods; they simply decrease or eliminate the types of foods that are typically high in carbs.”
In the same study, by the way, respondents were asked to choose one particular nutrition claim that was most important to them. The most common answer was overall fat; 21 percent consider fat content more important than any of the other claims. This is followed by protein (13 percent), calcium (12 percent), saturated fat (12 percent), and trans fat (11 percent). It is worth noting that 11 percent of the public, which corresponds to roughly 22 million adults, place a greater importance on trans fat than on any other issue.
- KC's View:
- We live in a quick-fix society. No surprise here.
