Over the years, we’ve witnessed a profound cultural shift from “health” to “quality of life” and from reactive health to proactive wellness. A vital element of health and wellness today is energy, according to The Hartman Group, Bellevue, Washington. Having the right amount of energy means that consumers can “live the life I want.”

Energy is a broad topic and, much like the mindsets around health and wellness, it means diverse things to different people; there is no single consumer definition of energy. Yet consumers across all age groups feel the need for sustained, balanced energy.

Consumers see energy management as a balancing act that affects all other aspects of wellness, according to research from The Hartman Group. They take this balance into account in their health and wellness habits and purchasing, including of foods and beverages. All consumers acknowledge an implicit connection between energy and what they eat.

The satiating, sustaining energy from protein is what has made this macronutrient the star of the health and wellness community. Positioning lean cuts and convenient forms of meat and poultry as energizing snacks makes sense. Add in bold flavors and a crunchy accompaniment, and meat and poultry competes with protein bars and chips.

See The Hartman Group infographic on the importance of energy.