Healthcare Assignment | Nutrition and Food Choice Assignment

Running head: NUTRITION AND FOOD CHOICE
Nutrition and food choice
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

1NUTRITION AND FOOD CHOICE
Part 3: Market survey of nutrient composition and marketing of selected snack products in
New Zealand:
As there is lack of awareness regarding ideal snack products ideally for working women,
conducting market survey regarding this is important to understand the nutrient composition and
consumption patterns of such snacks in New Zealand. The following is the list of snack products
specifically identified for working women with detail about its nutrient composition and issues
for working women:
1. Kellogg’s special K cereal: The Kellog’s special K ready to eat cereals is a healthy
breakfast option specially for those who want to control their daily calorific intake. Rice,
wheat gluten and defatted germ is the primary ingredient. One cup serving of the serial
contains 22 g of carbohydrates, 0.5 g of total fat and 7g protein. Other nutritional benefits
of the snack product are the presence of vitamin B6, B2 and B1 and advantage of getting
100% daily value of folic acid. It is also a good source of iron and sodium. It comprise
less than 200 calories per serving (Uddin, R. 2017). The only issue related to
consumption of this product is that as this product contains high amount of gluten, people
with celiac disease must not consume it or it will intensify allergic reactions in patients.

2NUTRITION AND FOOD CHOICE
Research evidence has shown that breakfast cereal is associated with increase in consumption
of diet with higher vitamins and minerals but decrease in intake of total energy. Hence, it can be
beneficial for working women as it will reduce the body mass index and overall risk of obesity in
women who sit for longer hours in office (Williams, 2014). While reviewing the consumption
pattern of Kellogg’s K breakfast cereals in New Zealand, it has been found that Kellogg’s K
Light muesli peach and mango flavor and mixed berries and apple flavor is mainly available in
New Zealand. However, new health star rating system has influenced the breakfast cereal
consumption with Hubbard Foods Ltd and the Sanitarium Health Food Co being the major
players in breakfast cereals. The sales of their product has mainly increased due to the launch of
gluten-free version of cereals (Breakfast Cereals in New Zealand, 2017).
2) Muesli bars: Another recommended snack products with good nutritional content is the Uncle
Toby’s muesli bars. It is a chewy and yoghurt muesli bars packed with 100% natural Australians
oats and wholesome energy. It is the most convenient snack options to enjoy outdoor and this
can be taken by working women easily. It has no artificial colour and yoghurt greatly improves
the taste of product. One muesli bar consist of 50% whole grains and 4.9 g of sugar per bar. It is
perfect for lunch and available in different sizes too (Bars, 2017).

3NUTRITION AND FOOD CHOICE
In terms of consumption pattern of the product in New Zealand, a survey done in 2014
has revealed that 83% of the New Zealanders eat whole grain foods and the intake is more on
weekends. According to the 2012 NZ food and nutritional guidelines, grain food is classified into
core grain foods and non-core grain foods. Example of core grain foods include bread products,
crearls, pasta and brown rice. Non-core grain food products include pan cakes, muesli bars, chips
and tacos. Hence, muesli bars has come under non-core grain food option for people and about
12% consume muesli (New Zealand dietary guidelines, 2017). The health benefits of consuming
muesli bars for working women is that it is a more nutritious food option as it is most likely to
meet recommended nutrient intakes and less chance of being overweight compared to other food
products. Muesli is a convenient food option and provided value for money too. It adds fibre to
the diet contributing to at least 3-5 grams of dietary fibre. The muesli bars also contain yoghurt
as an ingredient and this further contributes to slowing digestion rate and keeping people full for
longer time (Theme, 2017).
3) Graze peanuts and almonds:
Graze is one of the food product brands in Australia that provides nutritious and delicious
food options in the form of nuts. Each nut mix packet contains roasted chilli, lime cashews, raw
almonds and blanched peanuts. Each portion packs about 8 g of protein. Other nutritional benefit
is that it adds essential minerals and fibres too. It is a delicious snack option which gives perfect
balance of flavours. Nut has been recommended as an everyday food option mainly because it
easily provides good fats, essential vitamins and minerals. This snack product can also provide
balanced diet by providing protein in a tastier option other than tasteless shakes and protein bars.
It contains about 8g natural protein, fibre and has source of copper, Vitamin E and magnesium
too (Punchy protein nuts, 2017).