Now that the low-carb fad seems to have peaked, Sara Lee (NYSE:SLE) is already making a bet on The Next Big Thing in diet awareness. The company is making a preemptive strike to deal with the upcoming revisions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid, the guide Americans use (well, supposedly use) for healthy eating choices.
According to USA Today, Sara Lee is launching enhanced bread today, coming soon to a supermarket near you. The company's EarthGrains brand breads will contain a walloping dose of fiber and will be fortified with Vitamin D and folic acid.
It's been interesting to watch food companies deal with recent trends -- as well as coming governmental health mandates. Kraft (NYSE:KFT) has been struggling to deal with trends, such as low-carb dieting, and has taken the bull by the horns by clarifying nutrition labels. General Mills (NYSE:GIS) recently announced whole-grain cereals, which should of course complement a high-fiber diet.
On the other hand, some would argue that healthy eating trends were partly responsible for recent tough times for Interstate Bakeries, the purveyor of goods such as Hostess Twinkies and Cupcakes that recently filed for bankruptcy protection.
Although weight-loss fads such as Atkins and South Beach may come and go, the current sea change toward healthier eating has every reason to be here to stay. The stats show a more overweight America than ever, and myriad serious health disorders are associated with obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease. Sara Lee, like all food companies, is going to have to make sure it stays ahead of the curve, and its new bread item illustrates it's already on it.
Are you hungry for more food-oriented Fool coverage? Check out:
- 5 stocks from high-carb heaven.
- Chicken, anyone?
- What about a low-carb bear market?
Sara Lee is one of Mathew Emmert's picks for Motley Fool Income Investor . Take a free trial to find out what other stocks he's picked for growth and income.
Alyce Lomax does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned.
