A Revolution In How
Americans Eat

According to FMI, nearly 10% of people trying to eat for better health now say they follow a plant-based approach. But within that broad category, there is significant variability. Some people who eat a plant-based diet are vegetarian or vegan; others simply prioritize fruits and vegetables while still having meat from time to time. 

“A plant-based diet can simply mean that plant foods make up the largest part of your plate, not necessarily the whole plate,” explained Magee. 

No matter your approach, the potential health benefits are plentiful. Some studies have shown that plant-based diets could help with cholesterol levels and potentially reduce the risk of developing heart disease and hypertension. As for our environment, estimates suggest that if everyone in the United States committed to one day a week with no meat and no cheese, it would have the equivalent environmental impact of removing more than 7 million cars from the road. 

Yet pivoting to a plant-based eating approach is not always easy, and there are specific nutritional needs to keep in mind. It is important, for example, to get sufficient protein as well as vitamins like B-12 and D, says Magee. A major benefit of the Safeway app’s meal planning experience is that the personalized recipes remove any nutritional guesswork.

“All of our recipes are developed by a registered dietician, so the app creates a safe space to experiment with different ways of eating,” explained Bethany Del Begio, Nutrition and Wellness Educator with Mealime. “You know every meal has been created with a balanced mindset. We incorporate a minimum amount of protein. We really center the recipes around fiber-rich vegetables. If you’re new to a vegetarian diet, it can be easy to undereat protein, for example. But in the Safeway app, all of our recipes have been created with those nutritional considerations in mind.”

Another eating approach that has surged in popularity in recent years is the Paleo diet — a response to the rise of processed foods that encourages eaters to take their cues from their prehistoric ancestors.

Several trials have suggested the Paleo approach may help with those seeking to eat better. That is likely because eaters load up on fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, lean meats (particularly grass fed or wild game) and healthier oils, all of which provide a range of beneficial nutrients and fats.

The Safeway app makes it easier to follow the guidelines for a Paleo-friendly diet, allowing users to filter their shopping preferences so they are only seeing Paleo-friendly ingredients and recipes. That can be particularly helpful as people get their bearings with a new approach to eating.

“The app provides a totally personalized way to answer the question: ‘What’s for dinner?’” said Fraser Retallack, Senior Manager of Strategy and Growth at Albertsons Cos., the parent company of Safeway. “It asks people questions about their eating habits upfront, and it then delivers a personalized experience, whether you just don’t like a particular ingredient, or you’re adhering to a dietary lifestyle, like Paleo.”

The high-fat, low-carb ketogenic or “keto” diet is among the most popular diets in the United States right now, though it was initially a diet prescribed by doctors to help control seizures in children. Its goal is to bring the body into a state of ketosis. Instead of relying on sugar (from carbohydrates like grains, legumes and fruits and vegetables) for energy, the body uses stored fats.

While some studies have found that the keto diet may lead to faster weight loss than traditional calorie-restriction diets, health experts do warn that it is not without risks. With all diets, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider before you make a switch.

The Safeway app makes it easier to experiment with a diet like keto without necessarily going all-in. It also makes meal planning easier if you’re not cooking for yourself, but for a family member or loved one with specific dietary needs and do not necessarily want to load up on ingredients you wouldn’t otherwise use yourself.

“Our app makes it easier to experiment without waste. We’ve designed the recipes from the ground-up to account for the way ingredients are actually packaged in the store,” explained Caleb Del Begio, Director of Product at Albertsons Cos. “We’re building meal plans for users that are very efficient at reducing food waste, which ultimately reduces costs as well. It’s a dual benefit of not only being better for the planet, but also better for your pocketbook.”