There has been a sizeable spurt in Millennials opting for healthy food, which has made it essential for restaurants to reciprocate and cater to these needs. As per a PWC report, nearly 47% of people aged 18-34 have switched to a healthier diet.
The Rise Of Healthy Food
Change In Attitude
Earlier, if anybody mentioned gluten-free or lactose-free food, it was usually for people who were prone to allergies, but now the notion of eating clean isn’t related to any disease or allergy, but rather, better health. Now, these practices are no longer confined to the home, and diners are asking for palatable diet options even when they’re eating out.
Emerging Diet Trends
High on healthy fats and low on carbs, the Keto diet has become an obsession among the youth, and it’s already gaining popularity in India. Based on consuming healthy fats, it’s said that this diet boosts the metabolism and helps the dieter lose weight rapidly, while still eating plenty of meat and fat. Influential celebrities adopting this diet has been one of the major reasons for its pervasiveness.
Rising Awareness
Since our tech savvy generation is now well aware of what’s happening around the world, they tend to catch on global food and fitness trends. As heart diseases, obesity and diabetes are on the rise, people have realized that amending their eating habits is the need of the hour.
Targeting These Health Conscious Millennials
If you’ve been looking for ways to attract these calorie counters and fitness buffs, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Introduce Vegan & Gluten Free Options
Nobody would be comfortable with revamping their entire menu, but if you could just add a few vegan, gluten-free, low fat or lactose-free options to your menu, you’ll catch quite a few eyeballs. You can throw in some low-fat options like sugar-free desserts and freshly prepared juices to start off.
Nutritional Information
Lately, everybody uses a fitness app to track their calorie consumption or the amount of proteins, carbs, fats, cholesterol and sugar intake. So, you could attract this crowd by providing a full breakdown of what they’re eating. You should also indicate the exact calorie intake. Ideally, dishes with less than 600 calories could be put into a special healthy menu.
Promote Organic and Fresh Food
Adopting a practice of fresh and organic ingredients has also seen a surge in the restaurant industry. Restaurants serving healthy food usually source their ingredients straight from the farm. If you’ve also heard of the terms “farm-to-table” and “locally produced” food, it’s time to hop aboard that bandwagon and pay heed to where your ingredients are coming from.
Other Quick & Easy Healthy Fixes
If you’d still like to be cautious, give your diners a few easy-to-implement options. For instance, let them swap their rice, fries or mash with a salad on the side or other veggies. You could also offer smaller plate options for your larger dishes, and maybe even bunless burgers. The possibilities are endless!
You can take inspiration from restaurants like Zehen in The Manor, Delhi; Fab Cafe and Carrots in Bangalore, who’ve taken the plunge and come up with extensive healthy menus!
