Consumers are becoming increasingly selective in their snack choices due to the increasing impact of GLP-1 drugs, rising food costs, and the trend of replacing meals with snacks. They expect their snacks to offer more: quality, freshness, convenience, health benefits, and a superior taste and texture experience.1 It’s no coincidence that the healthy snacking industry, already worth more than $100 billion, is growing at a rate of 6.2% annually.2
Generation Z and Millennials in particular seek the perfect balance of health and pleasure by choosing foods that balance health benefits and tastes that stimulate the senses and reduce unwanted ingredients.3 Add to these demands the need for sustainability and cleaner labels. All of these factors create challenges in sourcing suitable ingredients for snacks and other food formulations.
For food manufacturers, American high-oleic sunflower oil can be part of the answer to solving function, taste and sustainability challenges in a wide range of food formulations, including plant-based products, snacks, sauces, spreads, dips, dairy-free beverages, and gluten-free and vegan baked goods and pastries.
In particular, high-oleic acid sunflower oil can be a key ingredient in food formulations that address two of the most popular nutritional trends: the demand for more protein and fiber.
protein delight
According to Innova Market Insights, nearly 60% of food and beverage consumers globally report actively including more protein in their diets.4 The growth of protein-enhanced snacks is one result of this demand, with more than half (55%) of Americans saying protein is the most important nutrient when choosing a snack.5
High oleic acid sunflower oil is an excellent choice for protein-rich snack foods, including plant-based protein product innovations. This is because it helps with the texture and texture of these types of products and can extend their shelf life.
fiber priority
Another huge nutrition trend is the demand for foods rich in fiber, especially to support gut health. Witness the Fibermaxing trend on TikTok, which offers enthusiasts ways to reach or exceed their recommended daily intake by adding fiber-rich ingredients to their diets. According to Datassential, more than half of consumers say that eating more foods and drinks for gut health will be important when thinking about their health in 2026.6 High-oleic sunflower oil contains antioxidants that help stabilize fiber-rich ingredients such as grains, seeds, and nuts, making it suitable for use in a variety of snack foods.7,8
Many reasons to choose high oleic sunflower oil
There are many reasons to choose American high oleic sunflower oil to give your food formulations a delicious, healthy option and a cleaner label.
- It is non-GMO and supports a cleaner ingredient list.
- It is grown sustainably.
- The taste is neutral so the true flavor of the food comes through.
- Supports extended product shelf life, longer than other oils
- It is healthier and contains unsaturated fats.
- Certified Kosher and Halal.
To learn more about the potential of high-oleic sunflower oil in the manufacture of a variety of food products and how it can differentiate your products from the competition, download the Sunflower Oil White Paper and other information here.
source:
- SPINS – The Evolution of Snacking: From Impulse to Intention
- TNA: Delivering the future of snacking from top to bottom: 5 trends reshaping the industry
- 2026 Global Flavor Trends from Innova Market Insights
- Innova Market Insights
- Trax: From protein-rich snacks to fresh fruit: National Snack Day data reveals changing health perceptions in America
- Datassential 2026 Trends Report
- harvard health online
- Sunflower Oil White Paper
