Booze, snack chips join low-carb craze...

Booze, snack chips join low-carb craze.
Wed Jan 14, 6:50 AM ET

By Theresa Howard, USA TODAY

The low-carb juggernaut shows no signs of slowing as more food and beverage
marketers shed carbs. On Thursday, Skyy Vodka and Miller will introduce Skyy
Sport, a low-carb version of their flavored malt beverages.

The drinks, packaged like beer but sold under spirit brand names, have
mostly been high-sugar, high-calorie drinks. Skyy Sport has 160 calories and
15 grams of carbs vs. 235 calories and 35 grams of carbs for Skyy Blue.

"The flavored malt beverage category is maturing a bit," says Keith Greggor,
chief operating officer of Skyy Spirits, which markets the drinks in a
venture with Miller Brewing. "People like to experiment and try different
things. We're giving them something that is unique."

Skyy is joining a growing cadre of food and beverage makers eager to ride
the popularity of carb-conscious diets led by the Atkins diet. Even if the
trend is short term, marketers say they have to play.

"Even if it lasts for a year, it's important to take advantage of it," says
Dave Burwick, senior vice president, chief marketing officer Pepsi-Cola
North America. In January the division began to promote Diet Pepsi as "zero
calories" and "zero carbohydrates," even though it never contained either.

More new low-carb foods and drinks:

..Juice and soft drinks. PepsiCo's Tropicana introduced Light 'n Healthy
low-carb orange juice last week.

Coke's Minute Maid will launch a line of four fruit-flavored low-carb drinks
under its brand in March. The drinks use Aspartame, Ace-K and Splenda
sweeteners to get 5 calories and 1 gram of carbs per 8 ounces vs. 110
calories and 29 carbs for other Minute Maid non-fizzy soft drinks.
Currently, diet brands account for 25% of carbonated soft-drink sales but
just 8% of juice drinks. "If you look at it, what's growing, it is diet,"
says Brad Goist, senior vice president, teas and emerging brands.

..Snacks. Frito-Lay will announce Wednesday Doritos Edge and Tostitos Edge.
The chips, in stores this spring, use soy proteins and fiber to lower
carbohydrates to 9 grams per ounce vs. 17 grams for the traditional chips.

"Innovation fuels our business, and we're committed to delivering the type
of innovation that continues to grow both our base business as well as our
better-for-you business," said Stephen Quinn, chief marketing officer,
Frito-Lay North America, in a statement.

..Sauces. Unilever on Tuesday announced Carb Options, an 18-product line
featuring low-carb versions of such brands as Ragu pasta sauces, Wish-Bone
dressing, Lawry's marinades, Lipton tea mixes and Skippy peanut butter.

..Fast food. Burger King on Tuesday joined Subway and Carl's Jr. in making
its menu carb friendly. Though most sandwiches are now available without the
bun, Burger King also introduced the Fire-Grilled Angus Steakburger Wrap.

Regardless of the carb savings, the marketers agree on one thing: Taste
matters.

"We couldn't make this a one-carb product," says Greggor about the citrus
and cranberry flavored Skyy Sport. "It would taste like cardboard."
--
Ken

"We spent alot of time talking about Africa, as we should.
Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."

- Bushisms, 2001

It's about time too, and the "even if it lasts for a year" is funny. I
believe as more and more people give it a try, they'll be convinced too.
JMO.

--
Cheri
Type 2, no meds for now.

Ken Kubos wrote in message ...
Booze, snack chips join low-carb craze.
Wed Jan 14, 6:50 AM ET

By Theresa Howard, USA TODAY

The low-carb juggernaut shows no signs of slowing as more food and
beverage
marketers shed carbs. On Thursday, Skyy Vodka and Miller will introduce
Skyy
Sport, a low-carb version of their flavored malt beverages.

The drinks, packaged like beer but sold under spirit brand names, have
mostly been high-sugar, high-calorie drinks. Skyy Sport has 160
calories and
15 grams of carbs vs. 235 calories and 35 grams of carbs for Skyy Blue.

"The flavored malt beverage category is maturing a bit," says Keith
Greggor,
chief operating officer of Skyy Spirits, which markets the drinks in a
venture with Miller Brewing. "People like to experiment and try
different
things. We're giving them something that is unique."

Skyy is joining a growing cadre of food and beverage makers eager to
ride
the popularity of carb-conscious diets led by the Atkins diet. Even if
the
trend is short term, marketers say they have to play.

"Even if it lasts for a year, it's important to take advantage of it,"
says
Dave Burwick, senior vice president, chief marketing officer Pepsi-Cola
North America. In January the division began to promote Diet Pepsi as
"zero
calories" and "zero carbohydrates," even though it never contained
either.

More new low-carb foods and drinks:

.Juice and soft drinks. PepsiCo's Tropicana introduced Light 'n Healthy
low-carb orange juice last week.

Coke's Minute Maid will launch a line of four fruit-flavored low-carb
drinks
under its brand in March. The drinks use Aspartame, Ace-K and Splenda
sweeteners to get 5 calories and 1 gram of carbs per 8 ounces vs. 110
calories and 29 carbs for other Minute Maid non-fizzy soft drinks.
Currently, diet brands account for 25% of carbonated soft-drink sales
but
just 8% of juice drinks. "If you look at it, what's growing, it is
diet,"
says Brad Goist, senior vice president, teas and emerging brands.

.Snacks. Frito-Lay will announce Wednesday Doritos Edge and Tostitos
Edge.
The chips, in stores this spring, use soy proteins and fiber to lower
carbohydrates to 9 grams per ounce vs. 17 grams for the traditional
chips.

"Innovation fuels our business, and we're committed to delivering the
type
of innovation that continues to grow both our base business as well as
our
better-for-you business," said Stephen Quinn, chief marketing officer,
Frito-Lay North America, in a statement.

.Sauces. Unilever on Tuesday announced Carb Options, an 18-product line
featuring low-carb versions of such brands as Ragu pasta sauces,
Wish-Bone
dressing, Lawry's marinades, Lipton tea mixes and Skippy peanut butter.

.Fast food. Burger King on Tuesday joined Subway and Carl's Jr. in
making
its menu carb friendly. Though most sandwiches are now available
without the
bun, Burger King also introduced the Fire-Grilled Angus Steakburger
Wrap.

Regardless of the carb savings, the marketers agree on one thing: Taste
matters.

"We couldn't make this a one-carb product," says Greggor about the
citrus
and cranberry flavored Skyy Sport. "It would taste like cardboard."
--
Ken

"We spent alot of time talking about Africa, as we should.
Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."

- Bushisms, 2001

"The drinks, packaged like beer but sold under spirit brand names, have
mostly been high-sugar, high-calorie drinks. Skyy Sport has 160 calories and
15 grams of carbs vs. 235 calories and 35 grams of carbs for Skyy Blue."

15 grams per drink?? That's low carb??





"Ken Kubos" wrote in message
...
Booze, snack chips join low-carb craze.
Wed Jan 14, 6:50 AM ET

By Theresa Howard, USA TODAY

The low-carb juggernaut shows no signs of slowing as more food and
beverage
marketers shed carbs. On Thursday, Skyy Vodka and Miller will introduce
Skyy
Sport, a low-carb version of their flavored malt beverages.

The drinks, packaged like beer but sold under spirit brand names, have
mostly been high-sugar, high-calorie drinks. Skyy Sport has 160 calories
and
15 grams of carbs vs. 235 calories and 35 grams of carbs for Skyy Blue.

"The flavored malt beverage category is maturing a bit," says Keith
Greggor,
chief operating officer of Skyy Spirits, which markets the drinks in a
venture with Miller Brewing. "People like to experiment and try different
things. We're giving them something that is unique."

Skyy is joining a growing cadre of food and beverage makers eager to ride
the popularity of carb-conscious diets led by the Atkins diet. Even if the
trend is short term, marketers say they have to play.

"Even if it lasts for a year, it's important to take advantage of it,"
says
Dave Burwick, senior vice president, chief marketing officer Pepsi-Cola
North America. In January the division began to promote Diet Pepsi as
"zero
calories" and "zero carbohydrates," even though it never contained either.

More new low-carb foods and drinks:

.Juice and soft drinks. PepsiCo's Tropicana introduced Light 'n Healthy
low-carb orange juice last week.

Coke's Minute Maid will launch a line of four fruit-flavored low-carb
drinks
under its brand in March. The drinks use Aspartame, Ace-K and Splenda
sweeteners to get 5 calories and 1 gram of carbs per 8 ounces vs. 110
calories and 29 carbs for other Minute Maid non-fizzy soft drinks.
Currently, diet brands account for 25% of carbonated soft-drink sales but
just 8% of juice drinks. "If you look at it, what's growing, it is diet,"
says Brad Goist, senior vice president, teas and emerging brands.

.Snacks. Frito-Lay will announce Wednesday Doritos Edge and Tostitos Edge.
The chips, in stores this spring, use soy proteins and fiber to lower
carbohydrates to 9 grams per ounce vs. 17 grams for the traditional chips.

"Innovation fuels our business, and we're committed to delivering the type
of innovation that continues to grow both our base business as well as our
better-for-you business," said Stephen Quinn, chief marketing officer,
Frito-Lay North America, in a statement.

.Sauces. Unilever on Tuesday announced Carb Options, an 18-product line
featuring low-carb versions of such brands as Ragu pasta sauces, Wish-Bone
dressing, Lawry's marinades, Lipton tea mixes and Skippy peanut butter.

.Fast food. Burger King on Tuesday joined Subway and Carl's Jr. in making
its menu carb friendly. Though most sandwiches are now available without
the
bun, Burger King also introduced the Fire-Grilled Angus Steakburger Wrap.

Regardless of the carb savings, the marketers agree on one thing: Taste
matters.

"We couldn't make this a one-carb product," says Greggor about the citrus
and cranberry flavored Skyy Sport. "It would taste like cardboard."
--
Ken

"We spent alot of time talking about Africa, as we should.
Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."

- Bushisms, 2001

"Ken Kubos" wrote in message
...
Booze, snack chips join low-carb craze.
Wed Jan 14, 6:50 AM ET

By Theresa Howard, USA TODAY

The low-carb juggernaut shows no signs of slowing as more food and
beverage
marketers shed carbs.
--
Ken

"We spent alot of time talking about Africa, as we should.
Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."

- Bushisms, 2001




The problem with this stuff is people are gonna say, "Wow, if I can eat
these chips and drink booze....this low carb thing is for me!!!" The
industry is setting people up for failure by making people think a diet
based on this stuff will help you lose weight. I'm all for the occasional LC
snack food...but I certainly wouldn't base my menu around that stuff.

This type of marketing is the same as convincing overweight people who don't
exercise that Gatorade is great for them. In the end, they are consuming
products not designed for them because the marketing tells them otherwise.

--
Norsk

"norsk" wrote in message
news:%hqNb.69654$8H.111283@attbi_s03...

The problem with this stuff is people are gonna say, "Wow, if I can eat
these chips and drink booze....this low carb thing is for me!!!" The
industry is setting people up for failure by making people think a diet
based on this stuff will help you lose weight. I'm all for the occasional
LC
snack food...but I certainly wouldn't base my menu around that stuff.

Snackwells and other low-fat treats have the same undermining effect for
low-fat dieters. Such snacks both are calorie-packed and allow a certain
kind of would-be dieter to perpetuate poor eating habits - failure to
moderate. I know of what I speak because I used to eat Snackwells when I
was on Weight Watchers. Oh, it's only 2 points a package, right? but four
packages later ... But the thing is, when I did that, it wasn't because I
was fooled by marketing; it was because I wasn't committed to losing the
weight, and preferred to eat cookies. When I was serious on Weight
Watchers, I ate things like Snackwells rarely if at all.

Of course the difference is that the low-fat weight loss methodology is
sufficiently entrenched that few people conclude low-fat is flawed and
unhealthy when their low-fat plans fail with the contributions of such
products, whereas someone who eats a low-carb candy bar and drinks a
low-carb beer every day, and fails to keep to the program, may nevertheless
blame his failure on some perceived flaw in low-carb itself.

It may take more time, once the press attention on low-carb cools off and it
returns to just one more way of eating that some people choose to get their
health under control. I think everyone who has thought an iota about
nutrition knows in his or her heart that junk foods are bad for him or her,
regardless of what the label says. Folks who are ready to commit to getting
healthy learn to read labels carefully and understand the choices they are
making.

carla
237/218/165?