Gender Resolution: Nutrition-Savvy Men, Women Can Have Their Cake and Eat It Too

DALLAS-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- At a time of year when people are focused on health and fitness, 7-Eleven, Inc. is adding three more sensible snacks for the “on-the-go” crowd – Weight Watchers snack cakes and muffins, L?RABAR all-natural raw food bars and, in March, its own proprietary MEGA protein bars.

Approximately half of all Americans entered 2008 resolved to do something … exercise more, eat less, save more, work less, worry less, drink less, spend less. As always, losing weight checks in at the top of millions of New Year’s resolution lists, not surprising because between 60 and 70 percent of Americans are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While women are at the low end of that spectrum (60 percent) and men at the higher end (70 percent), it is women who are more likely to make New Year’s resolutions to do something about it. However, men are beginning to pay more attention to nutrition and their health and buying products to support their “better eating” resolutions.

“We want to offer healthier choices that are appealing to both men and women,” said Alan Beach, 7-Eleven vice president of merchandising. “A man might choose a protein bar, banana and G2, the new low-calorie Gatorade, while a woman might opt for a cup of cut up fruit, Kashi oatmeal and green tea. 7-Eleven? stores even carry burritos made with all-organic ingredients.”

Two flavors of the new Weight Watchers snack cakes, Lemon and Chocolate, will be available at participating 7-Eleven stores this month in individually wrapped twin packs of a single flavor. Blueberry and Double Chocolate Muffins are also available in single packages. These sweet snacks have no trans-fat, fewer calories and less fat per serving than traditional products in the snack food category. And for those counting Weight Watchers POINTS, one snack cake has a POINTS value of one, and a muffin has POINTS value of three. The suggested retail price for each item is $1.29.

“We think the Weight Watchers cakes will be popular with our male and female customers,” said Tony Sparks, 7-Eleven category manager for bakery and bread. “Even adding a sugar-free Crystal Light Slurpee? drink will still allow you to stay on track.”

L?RABARS, also new to 7-Eleven, are raw food bars made with only unsweetened fruit, nuts and spices. Billed as “The Original Fruit & Nut Food Bar,” each variety contains no more than six ingredients. Previously available at just natural food, specialty grocers and athletic stores, each unprocessed, uncooked bar has no added sugar, is gluten-, dairy- and soy-free, and certified kosher and vegan. Suggested retail price for the 1.8-ounce bar is $1.69.

The snack bars were developed by Lara Merriken, who created them in her own kitchen after searching the market for a healthy whole-food option. Armed with just a food processor, Merriken hand-rolled each bar and shared her all-natural creations with family and friends. As word spread, demand grew, and L?RABAR was born. Merriken’s company, Humm Foods, is based in Denver.

The majority of 7-Eleven stores carrying this product are located in the greater New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Norfolk, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver-Colorado Springs, Chicago, Philadelphia, Orlando Tampa-St. Petersburg, Miami, San Diego, Baltimore, Salt Lake City, Seattle-Tacoma, Detroit, San Francisco-San Jose, Las Vegas and Richmond, Va. areas.

The convenience retailer will introduce its own proprietary nutrition bar in March, the first all-natural, triple-layer protein bar. Protein bars are the number one-selling nutrition bars and especially popular with men. Sold under the “All Natural MEGA Protein Bar” brand name, the 7-Eleven bar contains 30-grams of protein, is 70 percent organic and will be available in two candy bar-like flavors: Caramel Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.

7-Eleven stores stock better-for-you selections year-round in its fresh foods, packaged foods and beverages for health-conscious consumers who are counting calories, fat grams and carbohydrates. Fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, lower-calorie sandwiches, portion-control snacks, energy and protein bars, dark chocolate candy, sugar-free Slurpee drinks, vitamin-enhanced waters, yogurt, meal-replacement and shakes – all healthier food options that can be found throughout the store.

“While many people start diets as part of their new year’s resolutions, most people need to make long-term lifestyle changes instead of looking to short fixes,” Beach said. “Balance is what it’s all about, and 7-Eleven offers healthier choices for those who want them.”

Here are some hints for shopping healthy at 7-Eleven. These items may not be available at all stores:

Oh Boy! Turkey Jerky

A new teriyaki turkey jerky snack from Oh Boy! Oberto is made with 100 percent premium turkey breast and contains no preservatives and 25 percent less salt. Each serving contains 80 calories, 10 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat.

A Spot of Tea

January is National Hot Tea Month, and its namesake has garnered attention for the health benefits of its antioxidant flovenoids. While green tea may get more press for its healthful properties, medical studies show both green and black teas may reduce the risk of heart disease, some kinds of cancer, boost the immune system and help with weight loss. 7-Eleven now offers fresh-brewed black and green tea on its hot beverage bar. Look for the red pot for a spot of hot tea.

7-Eleven also has introduced its first tea-based Slurpee beverage – Mango Bango Totally Wild Tea flavor. Bottled teas have enjoyed double-digit growth at 7-Eleven as consumers look for healthier ready-to-drink beverage choices.

Make a Healthy Choice

In the frozen food case, customers can choose from two new Healthy Choice items – Chicken Margherita Café Steamers or Chicken Basil Panini. Healthy Choice is the only brand in the category certified “Heart Healthy” by the American Heart Association.

Eat Your Oats

For that most important meal of the day … or any meal, for that matter … 7-Eleven has added Kashi Heart to Heart Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, packaged in a ready-to-eat-from bowl. Just add water and enjoy a hearty, healthy breakfast. Kashi products are all-natural, minimally-processed foods with no highly refined sugars, artificial additives or preservatives.

G2 Summit

Gatorade has introduced G2 for thirsty consumers looking for lower-calorie hydration. With only 25 calories, G2 offers the same rehydration and replenishment properties as traditional Gatorade. 7-Eleven offers three flavors of G2 – orange, grape and fruit punch.

Those looking for healthier fresh foods at mealtime will find a wide selection on 7-Eleven shelves – whole and cut-up fruits, vegetable snack trays with Ranch dressing, salads, and fruit and cheese snacks. For those who want to drink their fruit, Naked 100% Juice fruit smoothies offer another source, equal to a pound of fruit in every bottle. V-8 vegetable and fruit juices offer other options to increase fruit and veggie intake.

More than half of 7-Eleven’s customers choose a drink as part of their purchase. Whether at the cold vault, hot beverage bar, soft drink fountain or Slurpee machine, a better-for-you beverage awaits.

In the vault, water doesn’t just whet your whistle anymore. Besides spring and sparkling varieties, 7-Eleven carries new Propel Invigorating Water, enhanced with B vitamins for a better-for-you energy drink. Low-fat milk, 100-percent juices, sports drink to replenish fluids after a strenuous workout, bottled teas – no shortage of healthy choices exists here. Hot tea and coffee are no-calorie beverages – choose decaf varieties if watching caffeine intake. Diet and low-calorie fountain beverages and Crystal Lite Slurpee drinks ensure that cold-drink fans won’t go wanting.

7-Eleven, Inc.

Margaret Chabris, 214-828-7345

mchabri@7-11.com