Niclas Luthman has always been an entrepreneur, constantly in need of a quick meal or snack on the go.
“I was always rushing from one meeting to the next, constantly on the move, and relying heavily on energy bars. I thought I was living a pretty healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, until my doctor informed me that I was pre-diabetic, teetering on the edge,” he shared in an interview with Food Dive.
That was back in 2014 when the Swedish entrepreneur decided to take his health more seriously.
A mechanical engineer by profession, Luthman leveraged his scientific background and delved into extensive research to find a solution for his condition through dietary changes.
“I immersed myself in reading everything I could find, and by adopting an anti-inflammatory diet to manage my diabetes, I was also able to alleviate my knee and back pain,” he explained. “I am living proof that this way of eating truly works.”
From there, Luthman founded Nick’s, a brand focused on providing healthier snacking options such as ice cream, candy bars, nut bars, and protein bars.
Nick’s Lighter Ice Cream incorporates Epogee Foods’ innovative fat-replacing ingredient EPG, derived from rapeseed oil. This unique substitute reduces fat calories by 92% as the oil is not absorbed by the body.
Instead of traditional sugar, Nick’s products are sweetened with natural alternatives like stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, and xylitol, resulting in significantly fewer calories and sugar compared to regular ice cream.
Setting the Bar High with Flavor and Strategic Partnerships
In a landscape where consumers are increasingly prioritizing health and wellness in their food choices, the better-for-you category has witnessed an influx of new brands and innovative products.
Even established CPG companies known for their traditional candy bars and chocolates are taking note of this consumer shift. Nestlé, for instance, pledged to boost sales of better-for-you offerings by up to $27.3 billion by the end of the decade.
Unreal snacks is another player in this space, emphasizing the use of whole, clean ingredients in their candy and confectionery products.