With the ringing in of 2014 comes the onslaught of New Year’s resolutions, many of which are focused on altering the physical body in some capacity. Whether it to be to get healthier, fitter, in better shape, trimmer or any number of other euphemistic health terms – everyone seems to be kicking into high gear with new diet and exercise plans.
As someone who frequently cycles between periods of either steady but not extreme exercise or complete stagnancy, I have decided not to make a resolution to get healthier, skinnier, fitter or (insert other adjective here) this year.
Instead, I’m going to continue my regular diet and exercise habits, my favorite of which includes upholding what I consider to be a fairly accurate stereotype of college-age females dipping anything and everything in a jar of everyone’s favorite hazelnut spread, Nutella.
Introduced to the public of Alba, Italy, in 1964, almost 50 years later Nutella is sold worldwide and marketed stateside by Ferrero USA Inc. Over the past five to 10 years, Nutella’s popularity in the U.S., as well as the rest of the world, has grown exponentially. One jar of Nutella is sold throughout the world every 2.5 seconds, which means with the U.S. Census Bureau figure that one person is born every 8 seconds, the world is producing and selling Nutella about three times faster than it produces people. Additionally, in 2009 Nutella was the third most “liked” page on Facebook, only trailing our nation’s president Barack Obama and America’s favorite drink, Coca-Cola.
Despite Ferrero’s clever marketing of Nutella as a harmless hazelnut spread, in reality Nutella’s melted-chocolate-bar taste is indicative of its true nutritional value. By weight, Nutella contains 70 percent saturated fat and processed sugar, which means in a standard serving of two tablespoons there are 200 calories, 11 grams of fat and 21 grams of sugar.
In 2012, Nutella came under scrutiny when a California mother sued Ferrero for false advertising by claiming that she fed her 4-year-old Nutella daily under the false pretense that it was part of a healthy, balanced breakfast. In keeping with the tried-and-true American tradition of ridiculous lawsuits, the case went to court, and Ferrero agreed to a $3 million settlement.
As part of the settlement, Ferrero revamped its advertising campaign and added nutrition facts to the front labels of Nutella jars. Additionally, Nutella buyers, who were willing to go through the trouble of filing a claim and succumbing to the embarrassment of admitting Ferrero marketing duped them, could receive reimbursement for up to five jars of Nutella for a total value of $20. Personally, I might file the claim to receive the $20 then turn around and buy the five jars of Nutella.
However, the 2012 case does not seem to have had any affect on the popularity of Nutella. Despite the shocking revelation that Nutella is, in fact, not entirely healthy, America and the rest of world seem to be just as enamored with the product as ever before.
Just last month Chicago opened a new Italian-themed food emporium ingeniously titled “Eataly.” Of the 15 restaurants opened in Eataly, Nutella Chicago was easily the most buzzed about and undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited. Serving such specialties as Nutella cannolis, Nutella crepes and much more, Nutella Chicago perfectly exemplifies America’s obsession with the sinful spread.
While Ferrero’s website now suggests Nutella as a mere “complement” to nutritious breakfast foods only to be used in “moderation,” I have a feeling that with new restaurants devoted solely to Nutella-themed menu items, America’s Nutella addiction is only likely to strengthen with every devilish spoonful consumed straight from the jar. I know I certainly won’t be giving up the treat anytime soon.
