Cupcakes And Potato Chips Give Way To Carrot Sticks And Granola Bars When It Comes To Snack Time

Jeremie Bohbot

LOS ANGELES , December 20, 2012 (Off The Menu) – For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a snack whenever I came home from work or school. As a kid (who had a bit of a weight problem), my snacks would be things like potato chips, a candy bar or pizza bagels. But as an adult who looks at the scale a lot more, a typical post-work snack includes such fare as toast, a bowl of cereal or a banana.

Between lunch and dinner, I need food. Not a lot of food, but just something to take the edge off between lunch and dinner. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve looked for this mid-day nosh to be on the healthier side. And I’m not the only one.

According to the 2012 consumer snacking study from the Symphony Group, 46% of U.S. consumers view snacks as part of a healthful eating plan. Also, 60% are seeking snacks that offer attributes beyond basic nutrition, such as organic, low-glycemic or minimally processed ingredients.

And it stands to reason that as U.S. adults increasingly look to healthier snack options for themselves, they’ve looked to the same options for their kids as well. That means more fruit at 3:30 in the afternoon and less Doritos. Carrots as opposed to cupcakes. More organic granola bars, fewer processed Snickers bars.

Snacking hasn’t changed. Only what we’re snacking on.

Nevin Barich is the Food & Beverage Analyst for Industry Intelligence Inc. When it comes to snacking, he’s traded his potato chips for bananas and his candy bars for granola bars. He can be reached at n.barich@industryintel.com

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