Natural and organic food retailer Natural Grocers is taking its Keto Reset initiative virtual this year, offering participants the opportunity to jump-start their new diet resolutions with online teaching and assistance.
In addition, the Lakewood, Colorado-based chain of natural and organic stores has expanded its Resolution Reset program from one day to five days, offering discounts on certain items that the company said will help customers keep their health-related New Year’s resolutions.
“The pandemic has made us all focus on our health more than ever before, and many individuals are recognizing the importance of getting back to our roots, including eating healthier and exercising more, for maintaining health and immune resiliency,” said Pamela Lipshitz, director of public relations for the chain. “The pandemic, compounded with New Year’s resolutions, is encouraging many of us to engage in healthier behaviors.”
The Keto Reset program, now in its third year, previously had been offered in-person at store locations. This year it consists of two parts: online instructional classes offered via Natural Grocers’ YouTube channel, and interactive support sessions. The four-week series of instructional classes, which begins on Jan. 20 and is led by the chain’s nutritional health coaches, includes background on the keto diet and advice for navigating its high-fat, low-carbohydrate requirements. Then, in the days following each class, the health coaches will host online support sessions to help participants translate the learnings from the classes into viable action plans.
“Since the program is virtual this year, the Keto Community Support Groups allow for a more intimate discussion in each of our markets, which normally would happen at the in-person classes,” said Lipshitz.
The ketogenic diet has been one of the most popular diets in recent years because of its ability to help followers lose weight, but it can be difficult to adhere to successfully because of its dietary restrictions. The diet requires very low intake of carbohydrates, moderate protein intake, and a high level of fat from natural sources. The diet is designed to force the body to burn fat, rather than carbs.
YouBar, a maker of protein bars, recently predicted that a version of keto it calls “keto lite” would be the top diet trend for 2021. This variation typically includes higher protein and less fat than the original keto diet called for. The other popular diets for 2021 on YouBar’s list included, in order: the immune system support diet (inspired by COVID-19), the plant-based flexitarian diet, the paleo-inspired whole foods diet, intermittent fasting, the DASH diet, the Mediterranean diet, the MIND diet (for brain health), the low FODMAP diet (for treating irritable bowel syndrome), and the volumetrics diet, which shuns high-calorie foods in favor of a larger volume of low-calorie foods.
The Natural Grocers keto diet program is based on The Keto Reset Diet, a New York Times best-selling book by Mark Sisson. The program focuses not only on healthy weight maintenance, but other purported keto benefits such as enhanced mental clarity and healthy energy levels.
Lipshitz said Natural Grocers believes the momentum behind consumers’ renewed sense of health during the pandemic will translate into greater interest this year. The program has always drawn a positive response, she said, noting that it is free and open to the public.
“Being completely virtual this year will make it even more accessible since people can participate from wherever they are at the time,” she said.
Meanwhile, in addition to expanding its Resolution Rest program to five days of special offers, Natural Grocers this year also added a sweepstakes and other promotions. Vendors involved include Primal Kitchen, Kettle & Fire, Kevita, Siete, Solaray, Bach, Beyond Burger, and Hydro Flask.
Related: GoPuff Adds Better-For-You Category; Giant Co., Hy-Vee Help Shoppers Get Healthy in New Year.
Image: Natural Grocers