Market Insight: Snacking—the 4th, 5th, 6th meal of the day
Published in Sargento Food Ingredients
One out of every five meal occasions today is a snack, according to a study by The NPD Group. And more than half of Americans are snacking 2 to 3 times per day. Take a quick scan of food trend lists for 2013, and you’ll find numerous mentions of snacking, ‘snackifying’ food and beverages and the ‘snackification’ of American eating. A snack is no longer a between meals footnote. It’s a meal in itself, albeit a smaller one.
What’s causing Americans to push away from three square meals prepared at home and eaten round the family table to more frequent smaller meals often eaten on the go? Today’s changing eating patterns can be attributed to our hectic lifestyles, which are structured more towards 24/7 than 9-to-5. “Snacking is both functionally and emotionally based,” explains Sargento consumer research expert, Brenda Bell. From a functional standpoint, “people snack as a replacement for traditional meals or for fuel to keep them energized and focused throughout the day. Emotional reasons for snacking run the gamut from socializing to managing stress or cravings.”
Snacking need states:
- Functional
- Nutritious good-for-me energy boost
- Fits need for a balanced, natural and wholesome snack
- Portable healthy snack
- ‘Hunger Bridge’ – gets me through to next meal
- Easy & quick food fix
- Emotional
- Sharing snacks helps connect me with others & show caring
- An indulgent or special treat
- Addresses my cravings
- Manage stress
Source: Sargento Consumer Insights
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