Snacks increasingly replacing meals for consumers
Technomic’s recently released “2018 Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report” reveals that not only are views on snacking broadening, but consumers are also more likely now than in 2016 to replace one or two meals per day with snacks.
Technomic’s recently released “2018 Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report” reveals that not only are views on snacking broadening, but consumers are also more likely now than in 2016 to replace one or two meals per day with snacks. While most consumers eat three meals a day with a few snacks throughout, the gap between eating three meals per day and replacing meals with snacks is narrowing.
In fact, 80% of consumers say they snack at least once a day and 37% of consumers believe that any food can be a snack if the portion size is small. Those consumers that replace meals with snacks are most likely to replace lunch.
“As busy consumers continue to seek convenience and increasingly replace meals with snacks, look for grab-and-go boxes and heartier snacks such as wings and crab bites to fill the hunger gap,” said Kelly Weikel, director of consumer insights for Technomic. “On the beverage front, protein-infused options that feature health-halo and functional claims, including fresh, unprocessed, and energizing, can help position drinks such as smoothies and shakes as smart meal replacement choices.”