Burnout is not a new concept, but the pandemic has reinvented it, making our day-to-day wellbeing more difficult to manage than ever before. It’s forcing consumers the world over to reconsider what makes them happy, while redefining the concept of indulgence, and the way our daily food choices can support this.

According to Accredited Practising Dietitian, Susie Burrell who also holds a Masters of Coaching Psychology and has a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing, finding new ways to manage mood and stress has never been more important. “The pandemic has resulted in many people turning inward and looking for ways they can actively work to support their own health and wellbeing. With big treats like overseas trips off the table, and milestones like weddings and other celebrations more restricted, we’ve had to train ourselves to look forward to small things to find pleasure in on a daily basis to support our own happiness.”

This is supported by new research released by the Australian macadamia industry that revealed almost 50% of consumers globally now value finding peace and quiet in everyday life as the key to a happy mind. Conversely, only 25% globally said occasional big experiences and milestones make them happy.

The research, carried out in Australia, Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea and USA, also showed almost half of consumers globally say indulgence is about finding little pleasures of joy in the everyday, while only 27% defined indulgence as being about a special-occasion treat.

“On a day-to-day basis, people are carving out small moments of indulgence and savouring them,” says Burrell. “Nourishing the body with healthy, nutritious food is an act of self-care and one of the easiest ways we can support not just physical but mental health too. Quality plant-based food in an otherwise ordinary day is a great way to support good mood, especially now when many people are feeling overwhelmed, anxious and emotionally drained after dealing with the pandemic for many months.”

Macadamias are ideally suited to meeting the demands of these trends, with the research showing that 60% of people globally believe they have the ability to not just manage their physical wellbeing but also mental wellness. As people seek out food to sustain them and their frame of mind throughout the day, macadamias make a great mood-booster and stress-buster. Their fibre, heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals offer many physical health benefits, while their velvety texture and creamy flavour make them an indulgent snack or ingredient, ideal for a range of food products.

It seems consumers are recognising these qualities too, with 53% of people considering macadamias to be a rich and delicious indulgence that is also good for your body. With consumers’ desire for optimal wellness driving the increase in new products with on-pack wellness claims, macadamias make a great choice for food brands looking for an edge in this space.

About the new Australian Macadamias research

In late 2020, Australian Macadamias commissioned research based on 6014 individual surveys with consumers in Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the USA. Conducted by the Singapore regional office of independent research agency Kantar, the research was conducted between August and October 2020 and findings delivered in December 2020.

Source: Australian Macadamias Society

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