3 Tips for Reaching Health-Conscious Consumers

At least 70% of surveyed consumers want to be healthier, and about half of them say that healthy eating is one of their top priorities.¹ 

Exactly what consumers mean by healthy is a moving target. Some choose to achieve their goal with any of a number of template diets. The low-carb keto diet and the Paleo diet are both growing in popularity, for example.²

Others choose to achieve wholesome eating by increasing consumption of health-perceived foods. Among proteins, poultry ranks high, and particularly in older demographics — while 35% of Gen Z is eating more poultry for its healthfulness, 38% of millennials, 47% of Gen X and 58% of baby boomers are doing so.²

Finally, others take a holistic approach that combines the care of the body and planet. More than three-quarters (76%) of consumers for whom leading a healthy lifestyle is a primary consideration are more likely to purchase poultry at foodservice that is clean label and also labeled as no antibiotics ever. Nearly as many (73%) are more likely to purchase poultry that is humanely raised.³ 

No matter how consumers define “wholesome,” Perdue Foodservice has you covered with these three opportunities to improve the menu to meet their healthy demands.

Poultry for breakfast

For the morning daypart, chicken is a welcome protein alternative to the standard breakfast sausage served at many restaurants, especially fast food. Wendy’s has taken note and added a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit as well as a Maple Bacon Chicken Croissant.

Panera Bread, known for its health-forward menu, has a Chipotle Chicken, Scrambled Egg and Avocado Wrap on their breakfast menu. Meanwhile, brunch chain First Watch features the Power Wrap on their Healthier Side menu, which includes egg whites, turkey, spinach, house-roasted crimini mushrooms and mozzarella in a sun-dried tomato-basil tortilla. 

Themed bowls

Bowls present a trendy opportunity to combine choice ingredients for a healthy meal within any of a number of themes. On its website, Crazy Bowls and Wraps lists bowls under various drop-down categories like Gluten-Free, Low-Carb and Paleo. Under the latter, the High-Protein Bowl is grain-free and combines steamed mixed veggies, double protein and any of a number of sauces. 

Southeast Asia is the top global region influencing menus, according to a chefs survey.⁴ Consider combining poultry with popular better-for-you ingredients with a global spin, like a Thai Chicken Grain Bowl utilizing PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® Boneless Skinless Thighs. The PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® brand allows you to call out such exceptional ingredient characteristics as no antibiotics ever, 100% vegetarian-fed, clean label, raised to a higher standard of animal care and more. 

Protein-packed entrée salads

Salad is the quintessential go-to for mindful eating, but as an entrée, it needs a protein to give it satiating power. For wellness-focused consumers, all the better if you prepare the poultry in a low- or no-fat way, such as grilling or sous vide. 

For example, Warm Spiced Citrus Salad with Sous Vide Chicken Breast. You can sous vide the chicken yourself, or save the labor and purchase PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® TENDERREADY® Sous-Vide Style Chicken. The salad itself combines fruits and vegetables with chicken for a nourishing filling entrée. You can market the chicken with its beneficial claims of no antibiotics ever, all vegetarian fed and clean label.

For another salad play, take note of a key lunch trend identified by chefs: globally inspired salads.⁴ Combine global flavors with a lean protein for a Thai Turkey Salad. By incorporating PERDUE® NO ANTIBIOTICS EVER Diced White Turkey, you have a benefit-led claim you can include in the menu description.

Make it enjoyable and easy for consumers to eat better-for-you meals by providing the types of dishes with the quality ingredients they are seeking. Perdue has you covered with poultry featuring the better-for-you claims important for your menu and messaging. Check out Perdue’s wealth of menu ideas and recipes for culinary inspiration.

Sources

1. Grimmelt, Anne, et al, “Hungry and Confused: The Winding Road to Conscious Eating, McKinsey.com, Oct. 5, 2022, https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/hungry-and-confused-the-winding-road-to-conscious-eating
2. Datassential Foodbytes Trendspotting report “Health: What Does It Mean Today,” Volume 94
3. Datassential/Perdue Premium Poultry Claims Consumer Research report, May 2022
4. National Restaurant Association What’s Hot 2022 Culinary Forecast, Nov. 16, 2021, https://go.restaurant.org/rs/078-ZLA-461/images/2022_What%27s_Hot_Report.pdf