Meal Replacement Trends: The Transformation from a Weight Management Solution to a Wellbeing Inspiration

More than ever, shoppers are paying close attention to the products and supplements they choose to use for their health and well-being. Consumers are driving a new revolution in the meal replacement market, from closely scrutinizing the nutritional or supplement label’s quality, source, and components to a more acute impression of health benefits.

Customers are clamouring for goods that will aid in weight loss or maintenance, nutritional optimization, the achievement of health objectives, and the prevention of the consequences of ageing.

Is meal replacement product marketing for weight reduction no longer effective?

It could be true. If a person follows or adheres to a decent programme, meal replacement slimming items can still help them lose weight more quickly. From 2010 to 2015, their global retail value increased favourably. In contrast to Australia and North America, where growth is reported to be flattening, emerging economies in the Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe have experienced the majority of growth as businesses extend their operations there. Global retail sales are anticipated to reach US$9 billion by 2020 from an estimated US$7 billion in 2015.

]For direct sellers, word-of-mouth product placement is crucial to success since their representatives connect with customers in person, establishing trust and raising expectations for the meal supplement product. Although these direct sellers control the industry, there are numerous companies that are upending it with their distinctive health proposals, programmes, or premium possibilities. Businesses that compete directly with consumers online without being reliant on brick-and-mortar stores or direct sales have been effective in keeping up their momentum. They make significant investments in social media to promote their diet plans, market their goods, and build peer support that aids people in achieving their weight loss objectives.

Direct-to-consumer businesses include Extend Nutrition, Shake that Weight, IdealShape, and Shakeology (Beachbody), among others. Instead, lifestyle programmes are becoming more and more popular. Smart for Life, for instance, offers two programmes: an at-home lifestyle programme where users set goals, buy the company’s products, and take part in weekly calls to track progress; and a medical programme where a general practitioner monitors the user’s progress with the help of physical exams and medical monitoring. The Cambridge Weight Plan and CertaSlim (formerly All that Weight) advocate comprehensive lifestyle programmes based on a combination of meal replacement products and healthy meals, directed by regular people trained as consultants to offer guidance and inspiration to customers.

Does diet fatigue impact how well a market performs?

Consumers are constantly inundated with information on diet plans and fads. One day a high-carb diet is promoted as the greatest way to lose weight, and the following day a low-carb diet like the Atkins or Paleo diet assures customers that it is the best course of action. Diets that promise to help you lose weight include detox and cleanse plans, as well as eating just certain foods like vinegar, colourfully prepared dishes, or bananas, among others. It is not unexpected to discover supporters and opponents of each type of dietary strategy in such a charged environment, leaving the customer perplexed about the best course to take. Customers become angry if their hopes for rapid weight loss are not realised. One of the most successful therapies for helping people lose weight permanently is dietary approaches supplemented by strong behavioural support, such as professional counselling or peer pressure. Social media, wearable tech, and health apps are all aiding individuals in this new digital era.

Customers become angry if their hopes for rapid weight loss are not realised. One of the most successful therapies for helping people lose weight permanently is dietary approaches supplemented by strong behavioural support, such as professional counselling or peer pressure. Social networking, wearable technology, and health apps are assisting people in this new digital era in reaching their behavioural goals.

High levels of competition from other dietary supplements

Other dietary supplements, such as protein supplements, sports nutrition, and supplement nutrition drinks, are posing a threat to meal replacement slimming products in addition to customers’ increasing consumption of fresh foods. Customers have adopted high protein supplements sold as powders, bars, and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages as a crucial component of their diets as a result of the protein frenzy. Protein powder is being added by consumers to their meals and drinks. Smoothies mixed with fresh fruits and vegetables and protein powder are increasingly popular both as a food option for consumers provided at grocery stores and health food stores as well as consumed at home.

In industrialised markets, these drinks are now seen as an incredibly healthy breakfast or lunch alternative. Ironically, aside from the increased protein content, these smoothies have long been a popular healthy beverage in rising economies in Latin America and Asia. Along similar hazy lines, sports nutrition powder is shedding its hard-core body-building reputation and repositioning itself as a lean fitness option for health and weight control that competes with meal replacements. Last but not least, supplement nutrition drinks sold under the names of companies like Ensure (Abbott), Complan (Danone), and To Go Breakfast (Kellogg’s) are shedding their convalescence food stigmas and positioning their goods as a healthy choice for on-the-go hydration that can also be used as a meal replacement in between meals.

Whole foods and science will shape meal replacement in the future.

Wholesome food preparation

Meal replacement is changing from a highly processed product to a wholefood healthy choice thanks to a powerful rising trend. Only natural components are used in the formulation of meal replacement products by manufacturers. While store and online retailing players like ProBar (United States), Vega (Canada), and 180 Nutrition (Australia) are introducing meal replacement products for well-being made with natural ingredients, direct seller Purium Health offers a comprehensive line of nutritional lifestyle meal replacement products based on the stage of life – from paediatric to ageing adults. While Vega supplies Vega One All-in-One Meal Bars and 180 Nutrition offers natural superfoods, ProBar Meal is positioned as a whole-food healthy meal replacement bar.

Fasting

While store and online retailing players like ProBar (United States), Vega (Canada), and 180 Nutrition (Australia) are introducing meal replacement products for well-being made with natural ingredients, direct seller Purium Health offers a comprehensive line of nutritional lifestyle meal replacement products based on the stage of life – from paediatric to ageing adults. While Vega supplies Vega One All-in-One Meal Bars and 180 Nutrition offers natural superfoods, ProBar Meal is positioned as a whole-food healthy meal replacement bar. In order to reduce the risk for consumers engaging in such rigorous programmes, the European Food Safety Agency Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA) issued a Scientific Opinion on the essential composition of total diet replacements for weight control, including the minimum of 2 510 kJ/day (600 kcal/day), along with other minimum contents of protein (75g), carbohydrates (30g), linoleic acid, and other micronutrients.