Jan 25, 2018
ARLINGTON, VA -- A recent survey of more than 2,050 registered dietitians (RD) revealed the food trends that will dictate consumer choices in 2018, some of which are good news for rice. The “What’s Trending in Nutrition” survey, conducted by USA Rice consultant Pollock Communications and Today’s Dietitian, shows top trends and superfoods include an increased awareness and commitment to “clean eating” diets and the rise in popularity of ancient grains.
“Commitment to the clean eating trend bodes very well for U.S. rice,” said Paul Galvani, chairman of the USA Rice Domestic Promotion Committee. “Consumers will be on the lookout for simple ingredients, minimally processed, and whole foods, all of which can be applied to U.S.-grown rice. Additionally, the continued rise in popularity of ancient grains should be of note, and a positive opportunity for those U.S. rice varieties that qualify as ancient.”
According to the survey, RDs’ top recommendation for Americans to achieve an overall healthy diet is to make small changes, focus on the overall eating pattern (not a single food or nutrient), and make gradual shifts over time. In addition, nearly 79 percent of respondents reported the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) MyPlate as the gold standard to use as a tool in nutrition education with their patients.
USA Rice is a USDA MyPlate National Strategic Partner and rice remains heavily featured on the MyPlate website.
“Insight that drives consumer purchasing decisions is vital for us as it helps shape our consumer messaging,” said Galvani. “We are pleased to see that our work promoting U.S.-grown rice as a nutrient rich food that meets MyPlate healthy eating guidelines is not only being heard, but accepted and shared.”