Study: Carb-counting goes on after diets

Filed under: Study — Tags: Study — @ April 14, 2004

According to a study by Morgan Stanley analysts, many consumers continue to watch their carb intake after going off the diets, which could have lasting implications for food and beverage companies.

bq. Experience with a low-carb diet appears to radically change many consumers’ self-discipline, awareness of nutrition issues, and even taste preferences, according to the survey. This may mean high-carb categories with some nutritional value such as oatmeal or yogurt may recover as the number of active dieters decline, according to the analysts. However, other categories such as carbonated soft drinks and candy could remain hurt by the trend.

“Our consumer research indicates that new low-carb product introductions that have legitimate nutritional credentials may have staying power, whereas those in inherently indulgent categories are more likely to fail,” said food analyst David Adelman.