The Mediterranean Diet was ranked the “best diet overall,” according to US News & World Report for the sixth year in a row. Walnuts are a key ingredient in the Mediterranean Diet, which puts fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and seeds at the center of the plate. The diet also tied for top ranking in two new diet categories: best diets for bone and joint health and family-friendly diets.
Food manufacturers have started to take notice of the popularity of the diet and are formulating products that follow the diet’s core tenets:
- High consumption of plant-based foods
- Good fats, such as walnuts, as the primary source of fat
- Moderate consumption of fish and poultry and limited consumption of red meat
These simple tenets have earned the Mediterranean Diet another important distinction. According to US News & World Report, it’s one of the easiest diets to follow. That recognition is key to the diet’s longevity and popularity.
Using walnuts in CPG products designed for Mediterranean Diet followers offers four key advantages.
1. Good Fats Aplenty
Similar to most tree nuts, walnuts are a source of good fats. However, the fat composition of walnuts is unique compared to other nuts. One ounce of walnuts offers 18 grams of total fat, 2.5 grams of monounsaturated fat and 13 grams of polyunsaturated fat including 2.5 grams of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – the plant-based omega-3. Walnuts are also the only nut that offers an excellent source of ALA.
2. The Walnut ‘Wow’ Factor
CPG manufacturers looking to formulate with walnuts will find that the tree nut is a functional ingredient that satisfies consumer demands. A major trend driver in 2023 is the need for a “wow” factor. Foods within the Mediterranean Diet may check all the traditional boxes — flavor, nutrition, convenience, functionality, just to name a few — but that may not be enough.
Post-pandemic, consumers want the experience of food, from sensory allure to defined moments. They want a connection, not only with the people they’re eating with, but with the foods they’re eating. Using California walnuts helps tell a great story about your products. California walnuts are grown by family farmers who have been stewards of the walnut for multiple generations.
3. Clean Label Plant-Based Foods
Consumers want clear, clean labels with easy-to-pronounce ingredients. They want products that are transparent, sustainable and in many cases, transportable. They don’t want “junk food,” they want real food.
This is especially important in plant-based foods, which feature heavily in Mediterranean diets. Walnuts add texture and flavor to meat-alternative products and can even be used to provide good fats and crunch to pasta, salads and sauces such as pesto.
To learn more about formulating Mediterranean Diet-friendly products, visit walnuts.org for a look at what’s trending.
