LOUISVILLE, KY - Fast casual chains have begun hiring registered dietitians (RD) in an effort to address the new federal menu-labeling law, to develop new healthful menu options, and to combat obesity, FastCasual.com reports.
Red Brick Pizza, Noodles and Company, Freshii and Tropical Smoothie Café are just a handful of the chains that have been collaborating with registered dietitians for menu development, food research, and nutrition information.
"People want to know, now more than ever, what they are eating. Hiring a dietitian is going to help fast casuals communicate their story to the consumer," said Kate Geagan, RD, nutrition contributor for Pregnancy magazine.
The recently released U.S. Department of Agriculture 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) revealed that more than a third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese.
"Obesity is the backbone of the whole thing," said Suzy Badaracco, RD, chef, toxicologist and founder and president of Culinary Tides. "It's leading the push to have dietitians on staff. How consumers are interacting with menu labels and food research is being shoved into the public eye."
The guidelines focus on moderating calorie intake and reducing salt, sugar and solid fat consumption, while increasing whole grains, seafood and fruits and vegetables.
"I think it's been an untapped opportunity," Badaracco said. "McDonald's and Wendy's have had dietitians onboard for quite some time. However, I think fast casuals are better positioned for marketing dietitians because of its more healthful position ?? It's going to get to a point where you almost won't be able to open a fast casual without a dietitian on staff. It will become a part of the formula."
"The public is becoming increasingly health and diet-conscious and wants information from a reliable, credible source. There is a lot of confusing information out there. RDs are the recognized experts in the area of food and nutrition," said Darcie Ellyne, RD, culinary nutrition consultant and founder of Restaurant Dietitian, who provides nutrition consulting and menu-labeling services to Tropical Smoothie Café and Red Brick Pizza.
"Fast casuals are now providing gluten-free items and identifying specific food allergens so customers who can't tolerate gluten, or specific allergens, have peace of mind," she said. "I predict that the trend of hiring RDs, along with the marketing of healthier foods, will inspire the customer base to be more health conscious and socially conscious, ultimately resulting in a healthier population."
The public spotlight is no doubt illuminating the importance of nutrition, especially with Michelle Obama's recent "Let's Move!" campaign. As such, RDs will continue to play an increasingly important role for restaurants.
"I know budgets are everything, and an RD consultant can come in and zero in on what the restaurant wants to tackle and keep it abreast of what's happening in the nutrition world, like with the recent release of the USDA dietary guidelines. Tapping into the power of RDs is an affordable and cost effective way to add to your brand," Geagan said.
To learn more about the issues coming down the pipe for retailers as they relate to nutritious offers in convenience stores, read the February NACS Magazine cover story, "Uncover Nutrition."