The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, 
and vending machines in virtually every corner of residential 
America has created a serious nutritional problem. "Snacking" 
– a harmless-sounding verb that deceptively implies something 
unobjectionable – has reached addictive proportions[i].

The manifestation of this addiction goes beyond mere obesity 
something that is widely considered to be a severe public health 
crisis[ii]. Even among non-obese Americans, researchers are 
identifying a wave of general malnutrition that is sweeping 
across the country due to addictive snacking habits[iii].

This addiction to snacking is enhanced, ironically, by the rather 
confusing range of so-called diet-friendly foods on the market. 
Some foods that are dubbed "lo-carb" diet-foods are actually 
causing weight gain among some dieters[iv]. In fact, some "lo-
carb" labeled foods are comprised of little more than unhealthy 
saturated fats and even worse, they have an incredibly high 
calorie count[v].

Furthermore, many self-professed "lo-carb" foods are dangerously 
devoid of essential proteins and vitamins. The resulting 
nutritional shortage often compels dieters – even subconsciously 
-- to crave stimulating foods of all kinds. These cravings often 
include what is closest at hand: snacks and other nutritionally 
bankrupt junk foods.

Snacking is indeed a problem that America must begin resolving 
within the first few years of this 21 century. A real, practical, 
tangible solution is required now more than ever before, because 
education and awareness are not enough.

This does not imply that education and awareness aren’t vital 
allies in the fight against snacking and unhealthy eating. 
Education and awareness have played an important role thus far, 
and have helped create a number of healthier eating options. 
Indeed, the "lighter fare" choices in restaurants, and the 
occasional granola bar in a vending machine that is otherwise 
loaded with chocolate bars, are worthy gains that education and 
awareness have inspired. Yet education and awareness are, in and 
of themselves, evidently not halting this epidemic addiction to 
snacking quickly enough.

Adding to the problem is that so many of these junk food products 
are packaged in a way that implies some semblance of nutritional 
value. Terms like "on the go" or "instant meal" or "for busy 
lifestyles" adorn many packages for foods that are virtually 
nothing more than glorified snack foods foods that are absolutely 
not providing the vitamins and proteins that a healthy diet 
requires.

Therefore, a new approach to solving this problem is required one 
that stems from the momentum gained by awareness and education, 
but delivers a real, tangible product in the hands of Americans 
who want to regain control over what makes them move.

Attempts have been made, especially in the last decade, to 
provide Americans with this tangible solution. Nutritional energy 
bars now line the counter shelves of many convenience stores, and 
instead of energy infusion via a chocolate bar, more people are 
opting for these seemingly "healthier". This is a positive step 
but it is not enough.

Products such as these mentioned above, while somewhat better 
than candy bars, are not rich in essential proteins or fortified 
by essential vitamins. So while "snackers" are better off after 
eating one of these nutritional bars than they would be if they 
consumed a bag of potato chips, they are not as well off as they 
think they are or that the nutritional bar packaging implies that 
they will be. These snackers still face a shortage of protein and 
essential vitamins a shortage that is not going to be filled 
unless additional nutrition is provided.

It is within this paradigm – the search for a complete "tangible" 
nutrition source that is rich in protein and essential vitamins – 
that forward-thinking companies are engineering smarter products. 
These nutritionally advanced solutions are carbohydrate-free, 
fat-free, and low calorie complete meal sources for snackers of 
all types, including those that are dieting.

There are, admittedly, only a very small number of companies and 
products that are delivering nutritionally intelligent products 
into the hands of snackers. However, the fact that these 
progressive companies – and their innovative products – exist is 
a positive sign, and one that just may eventually be the turning 
point in America’s war against poor eating habits.


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References

[i] Source: "Survey: America’s Addicted to Snacking". Channel 
3000 Health. http://html.channel3000.com/sh/health/conditionsaz/ 
news-health-990730-141923.html

[ii] Source: "Obesity Epidemic Astronomical". WebMD. 
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/57/66035.htm

[iii] Source: "Americans Shrinking ad Junk Food Takes its Toll". 
Guardian Unlimited Special Reports. 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1185457,00.html

[iv] Source: "Low Carb Confusion". MSN Diet and Fitness. 
http://diet.fitness.msn.com/article/773599.armx

[v] Source: "Low Carb Diets". ABC& Chicago. 
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/connectwithkids/ 
091504_cwk_lowcarb.html


Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com 

About Protica

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm 
with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. 
Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, 
a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage 
containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on 
Protica is available at http://www.protica.com 

You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com