Sweet Tips to Embrace the New Dietary Guidelines

With expanded recommendations of the definition of a “healthy eating pattern” the recently released 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans may herald a change in the ways consumers view sugar.

Published by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture, this 8^th edition includes recommendations to reduce consumption of added sugars, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. In fact, one of the key recommendations is to reduce consumption of added sugars to less than 10 percent of total daily calories.¹

These guidelines have the ability to influence consumer dietary choices as well as vendor product offerings, so here are some tips that may help your business chart a successful course.

1. Attitudes towards added sugars are changing

Coffee and sugar have long been associated with one another. After all, sugar is one half of the common question: “Cream and sugar?” Sugar will likely remain a part of the office coffee service product mix for the foreseeable future, but it is important to recognize that consumers’ attitudes towards sugar may be changing.

2. Offer alternative sweeteners

Sugar or no sugar, many of your customers will still want to sweeten their drinks. Low-calorie sweeteners, such as SPLENDA^® No Calorie Sweetener, provide the sweetness of sugar, but without all the added calories or carbohydrate. Plus, decades of research have shown the no-calorie sweeteners on the market to be safe for consumption.

3. Offer branded alternatives

Make sure your product mix includes brands with wide consumer appeal, such as SPLENDA^®No Calorie Sweetener, the #1 brand of low-calorie sweetener and the preferred low-calorie sweetener brand in foodservice.^{2, 3}

4. Educate your customers about sweeteners

The current language surrounding sweeteners can be confusing. Over the years, consumers have been exposed to a variety of opinions regarding sugar and low-calorie sweeteners, sometimes referred to as “artificial” or “natural” low-calorie sweeteners. Take this opportunity to offer your customers accurate information about the sweeteners on the market, and help them make an informed choice.

For more information about SPLENDA^® Sweetener Products for foodservice, please visit www.splendafoodservice.com.

¹ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8^th Edition. December 2015. Available at http://health.gov/dietartyguidelines/2015/.

²The Nielsen Company, Answers on Demand Low Calorie Sweetener + SB Mega Category, (xAOC) 52 weeks ending 8/22/2015.

³NPD Group SPLENDA^®Brand Study Revised, 2012 Among low-calorie sweetener brands available in foodservice

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