As a shared global experience, the coronavirus health crisis is unmatched in history. It is only through moving mindfully through these strange new times that we can successfully navigate through this hurdle, to face better days ahead.
Amidst all this, food may be occupying more than its usual share of headspace among people today. This is not surprising, given the multifaceted role that food plays in our lives: It sustains us, it comforts us, and it brings us together. It is in this spirit of solidarity that Mondelez Philippines, maker of beloved snack products such as Tang powdered beverages, Eden cheese, Cheez Whiz spread, Oreo cookies, and Cadbury Dairy Milk and Toblerone chocolates, responds to the clarion call for collective action amidst the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Partnering with 44 various organizations, including Rise Against Hunger, the Philippine Red Cross and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Mondelez Philippines has shared some Php12M worth of their delicious snack products to Metro Manila and other provinces’ front liners and communities, to support and provide comfort to people who are suffering from the impact of the coronavirus. “With the COVID-19 crisis, we wanted to extend the same warmth and comfort through our snack products to the City’s front liners and communities,” shares Toff Rada, CGA Country Manager of Mondelez Philippines.
Mindful Snacking While at Home
While food may be a source of comfort and connection for people during turbulent times, it is also prudent for us to settle into fresher perspectives when it comes to how we view eating and snacking. Mindful Snacking transforms our perceptions about eating as a mechanical response to hunger by focusing on the how’s and whys of eating. This mindset isn’t about resistance or restriction, it’s about bringing awareness into the aspect of eating. “Mindful Snacking is an approach that encourages you to eat with attention and to be present in every moment,” says Toff.
Quite simply, mindful snacking is a kinder and gentler approach to eating. It entails reconnecting with our senses and paying full attention to what we are eating. Snacking this way allows us to savor the flavors, aromas, and textures of the food we consume, cultivating a better sensation of the food we ingest and our experience of it. With Mindful Snacking, we allow ourselves to be re-acquainted with the pleasure of eating, leading to more satisfying snacking moments and a more positive relationship with food. These days we may get the tendency to binge and overeat to make ourselves feel better. Mindful Snacking tells us that we should be conscious of what we eat, how we eat and why we eat.
Why Do You Snack?
This approach to eating also helps us understand our needs better. Each person’s relationship to food is uniquely their own: We each have our own needs, preferences, and priorities when it comes to making choices about what we eat. To practice Mindful Snacking is to insert a pause to help us be aware of our own decision-making process, helping us determine what’s right for our bodies and our health. “Mindful snacking can help you understand why you are eating, and based on this, what to eat for a more satisfying snacking experience,” adds Toff, “Are you looking for something sweet or savory, creamy or crunchy, hot or cold, or soft or crispy? By understanding why you are eating, you can better choose the right snack for what you need.”
Ultimately, the only way to understand our relationship with food is to spend time with it. Mindful snacking gives us better clarity on why we eat the way we eat and how much of it is influenced by what we think and feel. When we slow down to notice what goes on every time we eat and acknowledge the dynamics at play, we are better equipped to change our behavior or thinking about food. “Mindful Snacking tells us it’s actually important to be in the moment, even when we snack,” ends Toff. In 2019 a State of Snacking report was developed by Mondelēz International in partnership with consumer polling specialist, The Harris Poll. A notable insight from the survey showed that 6 in 10 adults worldwide prefer to eat many small meals throughout the day, as opposed to a few larger ones, with younger consumers especially leaning into snacks over meals. This highlights the growing place of snacks in daily life, and thus the importance of snacking mindfully.
With this in mind, Mondelez Philippines is committed to fostering the growth of the Mindful Snacking movement by providing people with the right snack, for the right moment, and made the right way. Globally, the company has announced significant progress with its 2020 Impact Goals, including achieving its target of growing portion control snacks to 15 percent of its net revenue, two years ahead of target. Locally, portion control options include the Cadbury Dairy Milk and Cadbury 5Star 15g bar, Oreo 3-piece 28.5g cookie packs, and Mini Oreo pouches, which all contain less than 200 calories per pack. In the Philippines, the company has also expanded its well-being offerings with belVita breakfast biscuits. It has also improved the nutrition profile of its biggest selling brands. Since 2008, Mondelez has been offering a reduced sugar version of Tang powdered beverage, cutting off as much as 40% of its original sugar content.