Store Scavenger Hunt!

1.     Look for 2 examples of new-to-you items that MEET yourdefinition of “healthier” (as you described in Blog #2).  For each:

a.     Take/post a pic & note specifically why it fits your criteria.  What does it say/ show on the package that piques your interest/makes you feel this way?

b.     As you look around the store, what are 2 brands that “get” what you’re looking for in “healthier” products?  What specifically do they understand?

This oatmeal product caught my eye its an overnight oats but doesnt have as much prep work at making it from scratch. Oatmeal is a well known healthy option and it is filling. i know if i eat a bowl of oatmeal in the morning i will feel satisfied for at least a few hours. Its a simple label i wouldnt say it jumps out with its protein counter but like i said oatmeal just sounds healthy. 

 I have never seen this item but it looks great! high protein breakfast. the best part i think is the chicken sausage. Right now its trending and has a much healthier ring to it than regular processed pork. i think this is exactly what i was looking for when i spoke about what an ideal breakfast sandwich would be. i had no idea jimmy dean delights existed in this way. what jumps out about the packaging is the protein counter in big bold letters. also it has the nutrition facts in large letters in the top right corner. 

Quaker does a great job. they have a big selection of oatmeal, hot/cold options and on some of the newer items they have high protein oatmeal. i also like that the labeling isnt too "over the top" like if someone sees me buying it they just say "oh he is healthy, eating oatmeal". for example i think special K marketing and labeling is too aggressive and says something about you. 

While i was in the freezer section i looked at all the breakfast items, I havent really looked there in a while so it was new to me. but  jimmy deal delights was in my opinion the best there. the competitors are the regular jimmy dean products, special K which targets a women demographic, and kashi, that just always tastes like cardboard. also there is eggo, but i would never want a waffle to start my busy day. 

2.     Now look for 2 examples of items that are designed to be “healthier”, but do NOT meet your definition, maybe because they go too far or not far enough:

a.     Take/post a pic & note specifically why each doesn’t fit your criteria.  What is each offering or missing that is NOT the right fit for you - why? 

b.     What are 2 brands that seem to be designed for someone else, because they do NOT get what you want/need?  Who do you think they are designed for?

These two items seem healthy but are not for me. The first are these fruit smoothie drinks, they claim to have a lot of fruits and vegetables in them but are packed full of sugar. They do offer protein packed ones but they just add too the calorie count. i also dont feel that having a smoothie will keep me full for a long enough time. they do seem very popular though and i know they taste good. 

the second is waffles. These are also from kashi, so its probably better than eggo. these are gluten free which might be important to someone but it goes too far for me. If i were to eat a waffle i would pick a regular one. this one doesnt even have the protein written on the label, it mentions the amount of fiber and grains but that isnt AS important, but it still matters. its good to have fiber in the morning, it helps keep you full. 

The first brand that is not for me is Special K, they have a very high protein driven market but when you look pass the surface of whats really in it, you find excess calories and bad taste. 

Fiber One is also a brand i dont think is for me. When i looked at the breakfast bars i was confused by the selection, some had protein and others did not. some were high in calories and others were very low. it seemed to be trying to blanket advertise but all under the "fiber kick" fiber is good but not the number one thing i want to be associated with. The fiber guy, or poop guy. cause whenever you think about fiber, poop is in the back of everyones mind.

3.     Now look specifically for protein-based breakfast items (in any part of the store):

a.     Find 2 items that best MEET your wants/needs on a “typical” day. Take/post a pic & note how they meet your wants/needs.  What does it say/show on the package that piques your interest/makes you feel this way?

this looks like a new brand of oatmeal. i like that has the protein written on the front and oatmeal is a good way to start the day. 10 grams is a good enough protein for me in the morning. some people like to get crazy and look for 30-40g per meal but 10 is reasonable if you want to keep calories low to lose weight. the label is also pretty cool has a bear on it, mix things up from just the quaker guy or the cream of wheat guy. its a little pricy for a bowl of oatmeal, it would be better if sold in a multipack instead of just one at a time. 

When i was shopping the frittatas reall caught my eye. Im not even sure what a frittata is but they looked very good. this one was a blend of meat and veggies. has over 10g of protein and just over 200 calories. I dont know how big the frittatas are and if they would keep me satisfied for very long but i bought them anyways. The jimmy deans delights brand seems to be separating from its other jimmy dean products in a good way. they keep the protein counter on the front but also lowered the calories to be healthy. 

b.     Find 2 protein-based breakfast items that seem to be designed for someone else.  Explain why they are not the right fit & who they might be designed for?

 I mentioned special K earlier, im just not a fan. i have had some of their products and they seem to be marketing a healthy item but i highly doubt the flatbread will taste good. Special K marketing is always for women, even down to the purple labeling. It doesnt entice me. 

Belvita has a protein option now but its only a single biscuit instead of the usual 4 they have. this is designed for someone on the go or rushing to eat breakfast, someone who might be late to work regularly. I like to be early and not in a rush. Also I must say the name "Belvita" is terrible. It sounds like Velvita cheese whenever you say it. 

c.      When you think about your “ideal” breakfast on a “typical” day, what do you feel is lacking in the products you see at the grocery store?  What do you wish existed?  How could the products you found be an even better fit for you?  Describe your “ideal” in as much detail as possible.

While i was looking in the oatmeal section i wished i would have saw something that had more too it. all the oatmeals vary in flavor but i didnt see one with "flax and chia seeds" things that may add more calories from fat but the good kind of fat. Now that i think of it no one mentioned healthy fats like omegas in the frozen food section either. Protein is the highlight but we also want GOOD fats and GOOD carbs. 

The jimmy dean delight with chicken sausage is a great start. I see that as a transition from pork to chicken as a leaner option. maybe even show that there is no saturated fats. I assume all food now has no trans fat but saturated fat is the new culprit. It might be hard to use more hardy/whole grains in the bread without sacrificing taste. so i look for things low in sugar. 

4.     Now, please visit the frozen breakfast section of the store, look for products from the Jimmy Dean Delights brand & do the following:

a.     Post a pic of how the brand looks in your store.  Did it stand out or not – why?

I havent looked in the frozen breakfast section in a long time and was shocked when i saw the jimmy dean delights. 

I was walking down the isle looking for it and kept seeing the classic red box JD brand and then this bright yellow, sunrise box appeared at the VERY end of the breakfast foods and i was pleasantly surprised at what i was looking at. 

The box placement next to the red makes it pop and "shine". there was other JD products in a black box, but those looked dull and unhealthy. 

when you place it near a yellow box as seen at the bottom, your eyes are attracted to the bright light. 

b.     Before picking it up, what are your impressions (good/bad) on the shelf – why?

It has good aesthetics, bright warm yellow. the calories are big and bold, protein is highlighted, and the flavors are clearly written. the picture is nice and zoomed in on the JD delights. the Box did seem very large, even the lady packing my groceries had a hard time putting it into the bag with only 1 item in it. 

c.      How does it seem to compare with other frozen breakfast options?  What does it seem most similar to?  Does it seem meaningfully different at all?  Why/not?

its the newest and better option. it doent radiate health, it is still a frozen breakfast. but has my attention at the moment. It would compare most to the specail K breakfast sandwiches, those are the other healthy ones i saw. But as you shop for frozen breakfast they are all separated by brand not by health. so i passed a few healthy ones and then the entire regular jimmy dean section and then came to the jimmy dean delights. so if i was looking for a healthy breakfast i might have stopped and bought a different one prior to reaching the jimmy dean delight section. 

d.     Thinking of your breakfast needs/wants on a “typical” day, how well do these products fit?  What specifically do they do well?  Anything not so well - why?

As my nutritional needs go, its close. i do not see any vitamins or minerals in it. Also it mentions total fat and then saturated fat but what makes up the rest, is it unsaturated, mono unsaturated, polyunsaturated? when you are targeting a healthy demographic they might be more educated and look for those kind of details. Jimmy dean delights is doing great with sugar and protein! both are clearly on the front, two big things i look for. but i would maybe try to fortify the english muffin a little but so it has the vitamins you should get from 1/3 of you daily meals.