There is new information showing it is smart business to offer lower-calorie options to consumers. A newly released study by the Hudson Institute has shown that lower-calorie products accounted for 82% of sales growth and accounts for nearly $100 billion in annual sales.
Commissioned by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF), the study showed that sales of lower-calorie options increased more than $1.25 billion – over four times the growth of higher-calorie fare.  The 2010 HWCF calorie commitment to reduce 1.5 trillion calories by 2015 has already been met.
Using information from the package labels and online sources, Hudson categorized each product as “lower-calorie” or “higher-calorie” based on specific calorie limits. In the study, the products analyzed reduced calories by 1.5 trillion in the US.
The good news for consumers is that hopefully this study will show more food companies that it makes good economic sense to offer more lower-calorie products for consumers.
As a registered dietitian, our obesity crises is related to Americans eating too many calories. My clients who have successfully lost weight and maintained it have reduced their calorie intake and I know if more Americans ate fewer calories they would lose weight, too.
Here are some additional articles I have written that can help you reduce your calorie intake!
Do You Know Your Calorie Budget?
100 Calories In/100 Calories Out
Your Portion Control Guide to Weight Loss
Mitzi’s 7 Strategies for Reducing Portion Sizes