Health-conscious consumers across the Chinese mainland are reshaping food markets as demand surges for low-glycemic index (GI) and sugar-free products. This trend aligns with a government-led three-year campaign targeting obesity and promoting sustainable weight management strategies, signaling a transformative shift in dietary habits nationwide.
Supermarkets now stock shelves with quinoa-based snacks, sugar-reduced soybean milk, and low-GI认证 noodles, while apps like Meituan report spikes in searches for 'low-sugar meal kits.' Local restaurants, such as Beijing's GreenBowl Café, have redesigned menus to highlight GI values, attracting office workers like Zhang Wei, who told KhabarAsia: 'It’s no longer just about calories – we want foods that keep energy steady.'
The initiative comes as China responds to increasing rates of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Health authorities have partnered with food manufacturers to establish clearer nutrition labeling standards. "This isn’t a fad—it’s public health policy driving industrial innovation," noted Shanghai-based nutrition researcher Dr. Li Ming.
Industry analysts predict the low-GI market will grow 18% annually through 2026, with overseas investors eyeing partnerships in functional food production. Meanwhile, e-commerce platforms report triple-digit growth in sugar-free condiment sales, suggesting lasting changes in consumer behavior.
