Tri-R Coffee Blog

Have you ever had one of those days when you need an energy boost to make it through the day? If you have, you’re not alone. Even athletes such as elite marathoners sometimes need an energy boost while training and competing. Marathoners have traditionally used gels for an energy boost, but there is a new trend among athletes that could soon find its way into your healthy break room vending machine—caffeinated gum. Caffeine is known to increase one’s alertness and decrease fatigue. Recent research about caffeinated gum and its effects on athletes by New Zealand’s Eastern Institute of Technology’s Carl Paton confirmed that caffeinated gum behaves in the same way as gels by improving performance, focus and clarity. To combat your afternoon slump, try adding caffeinated gum to one of these healthy options.

Choose Healthy Snacks

What you eat matters. Eating healthy is important for all of us in San Diego, not just athletes. Choosing healthy snacks whether it be cheese slices with whole wheat crackers or sliced apples with peanut butter plays an important role in combating the sluggishness and fatigue caused by poor nutrition. The saying that food is our body’s fuel is true as what we eat either positively or negatively impacts how we perform. Whether you keep healthy snacks in your desk or choose ones from a vending machine, make healthy selections to see the most benefit.    

Drink Water

Our bodies are made of multiple systems that rely on water to be able to function correctly. Unfortunately, most of us don’t drink nearly enough to make up for the water that we lose every day, which can lead to dehydration. Side effects of dehydration include lack of energy and fatigue. To combat dehydration, the Mayo Clinic recommends that men drink about 13 cups or 3 liters of beverages per day, and women drink about 9 cups or 2.2 liters per day. Water and other non-sugary beverages can be found in your office vending machine or healthy break room.

Go for a Walk

Movement is a great way to increase energy levels and improve focus. It could be going for a walk in your San Diego neighborhood or doing jumping jacks at your desk. As long as your blood flow increases and you breathe a bit faster, you should see benefits. Exercise is also great for stress relief. When we decrease our stress level, our mood often improves and we feel more motivated to accomplish our to-do lists. Whether you exercise with a friend or on your own, get moving.

Have Some Caffeine

Most often when we need a boost of energy, we gravitate toward coffee or other caffeinated beverages. There are times, however, when consuming caffeine in a beverage is not an option.  For example, you might not have a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage nearby or you may not enough time to drink an entire beverage. Caffeinated gum has an additional benefit that caffeinated beverages do not. The caffeine from caffeinated gum bypasses the digestive system and goes straight into your system, so you feel the effect of the caffeine faster.

Eating healthy snacks, drinking water and exercising all contribute to increased energy throughout the day at the office. Caffeinated gum offers the extra pick me up that we all sometimes need. Would your San Diego consumers like to see caffeinated gum as a healthy snack in their vending machines or healthy break room? Call Tri-R Coffee & Vending today at (760) 753-1112.

Snacks are being redefined for many consumers. The “war on sugar” has made decent progress, as consumers become more aware of the content in their food. In fact, Euromonitor International, a global market research company, presented new research at a London press briefing, which was called, “No Sugar Please: How Snacks are Being Redefined.”

John George, an ingredients analyst at Euromonitor, said that the “demonization of sugar inevitably created a change in the type of ingredients used in snacks.” In a recent survey by Eoromonitor, 47% of global respondents actively search for food with limited or no added sugar. The presentation in London showed a 5% increase in “conventional” snacks, but 7% increase in healthy snacks in 2015-2015. Healthy snack growth can be attributed to “Western Europe and North America,” Jack Skelly, a food analyst at Euromonitor International noted. The “emerging trend” for healthier food has “increased by $10.8 billion from 2011 to 2016,” he said. In fact, Shelly said, it “could transform the food industry.”

The upcoming trend for healthy food has also led to new packaging sizes. Consumers are more aware of ingredients in food production, which also makes them more cautious in their choices. “We’ve seen an increasing polarization of pack sizes in conventional snacks, as larger formats are marketed for shared consumption,” said Karine Dussimon, senior packaging analyst at Euromonitor. “The aim of these new formats are to convey greater portion control and lower the guilt of buying a treat while still boosting impulse purchase,” she added.

People are also more aware of what’s considered a healthy weight. Healthy weight, Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor said, is correlated with the “prevention of diabetes and other diseases, so minimizing sugar and calorie intake is high on consumers’ agenda.”

In other words, more information to the public has led to a bigger shift in food consumption. In particular, consumers have been making healthy choices. Euromonitor predicts an increase in new products within the snacking market. The demand for healthier food has grown, so products that will meet that demand will certainly excel.

Euromonitor’s presentation is only a small peek into the future. Consumers want healthier foods because they’ve become more knowledgeable. This knowledge, thanks to Western Europe and North America, has led to a larger demand for healthy food options. The transformation of snack sizes and types comes as no surprise, then, especially as the trend continues to grow.

If you are looking for healthy options for your break room, call Tri-R Coffee & Vending at  (760) 753-1112 for a free, no obligation consultation.

Are you a spicy food lover? If not, you might become one. According to Emily Liu, marketing director for Buck Wild, “Americans are snacking more than ever.” Furthermore, she said they are “demanding more complex, bold and spicy profiles.”

The growth of spicy food should not be surprising. Since the introduction of sriracha, foodservice has worked hard to spice menus up in new flavors. This shift in foodservice has led to a more broad, open, and evolving taste buds, according to Technomic’s “2015 Flavor Consumer Trend Report.” Consumers are searching for more complex combinations and more types of peppers. At least 78% of consumers desire moderately spicy foods, while 55% crave spicy food flavors.

Food companies have noted the larger consumer base for spicy food lovers. One of the hottest chili peppers in the world is the ghost pepper. Companies like Wendy and Sbarro have begun including ghost-pepper flavors into various items on their menu.

The increase in a desire for spicy foods may be due to a new generation: millennials. The report by Technomic indicates 45% of those between 18-34 years of age want more restaurants to offer foods with a combination of flavors.

McCormick & Company reveals an annual forecast of culinary trends in homes, restaurants, and retailers. The global team of chefs, food technologists, and flavor experts for 2016 listed several spicy food groups. For example, “Heat + Tang” was at the top of the list, which includes Peruvian chilies, lime, and sambal sauce (which is made with chilies). They also listed a “Tropical Asian” cuisine, which has peppers, chilies, and even a Malaysian spicy paste.

Spicy food doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. While many see the importance of spicy food, they do not see the extent of its importance. For instance, Amy Smith, director of culinary innovation for Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings, said they “featured a ghost-pepper sauce” for a limited time. “We ordered six weeks worth from our supplier,” she said, “but ran out in a week.”

Their underrated success should make all food enthusiasts think twice. Dataessential made a list of spices, sauces, and peppers picking up heat, including the ghost pepper, gochujang, togarashi, and shishito peppers.

Is spicy food a food fad or is it more? With increasing demand for spicy food and an upcoming generation (millennials) who love it, it seems it will only grow with time. What do you think?

If you are looking for healthy options for your break room, call Tri-R Coffee & Vending at  (760) 753-1112 for a free, no obligation consultation.

Millennials are doing many things differently from their predecessors. One of the biggest changes is their food choices. This should not be surprising, though, considering the lifestyle of millennials is very active. They are constantly on-the-go, squeezing as much as they can into a small amount of time. In a recent, nationwide survey by the Private Label Manufacturers Association, they discovered millennials’ love for food. Healthy foods and prepared, portable foods were at the top of their lists.

The study included 1,838 shoppers between the ages of 20 and 29. Of the shoppers, 931 were women, while 908 were men. As one of the biggest surveys PLMA has commissioned in the United States, it’s probably one of the most accurate. The demographic group represents about 15% of the total population (roughly 50 million Americans).

According to the study, half of the consumers do not have a set schedule for meals. More than half like to snack throughout the day (62%) and take breaks to eat when they’re hungry (56%). In fact, sometimes they’ll snack more than have actual meals, such as lunch. Various reasons for snacking rather than eating included the following: planned on eating later and needed something to hold them over, rushed, or simply too busy. In fact, many ate on the go, while working, or in the car.

Millennials are also very loyal, especially when it comes to their food source. For instance, nine out of 10 regularly grocery shop in only one or two stores. A slim 3% shop at four or more. In addition, they visit their food store a minimum of once a week. They will also spend 30 minutes to an hour each time they shop.

The study refers to millennials as a “generation of nibblers and experimenters,” which seems to be an accurate summary. They love to shop at farmers markets, kiosks, push carts, and food trucks. Whether they eat at home or away, a full meal or small snacks, nearly all of them want fresh food. 35% desire fresh baked bread, while 48% search for fresh raw vegetables or green salads. Furthermore, 57% of them almost always reach for fresh fruits.

Access to fresh food is important to millennials for several reasons. For 42%, it’s healthy. That’s why they choose healthy foods. But others eat healthy food for pleasure (36%), nutrition (39%), and energy and stamina (34%). They’re also strongly opposed to certain products in their food. One in four say it’s important to avoid high fructose corn syrup, as well as GMOs, hormones, and antibiotics. As a result, millennials are aware of their ingredients in food. Three of four read labels on products for nutrition reasons, while nine out of 10 are aware of the ingredients in the food products they eat. An overwhelming 86% are aware of brands and 73% say they’re aware of the makers or producers of their food.

Food is equally sacred as it is imbedded into their everyday lives. They are always snacking or eating on the go, but recognize its importance in different settings. While food is important for sustaining them through the work day, it has to fit in with their schedule. The schedules of millennials is already fast-paced. As a result, they want the energy to keep going, while also enjoying something fresh. Millennials are changing the way America eats, but in a healthy way.

If you are looking for healthy options for your break room, call Tri-R Coffee & Vending at (760) 753-1112 for a free, no obligation consultation, where we can help you with your break room needs.