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Convenient on-the-go snacks have become a popular mealtime replacement.
Almost half of consumers (48%) People around the world snack more than twice a day.According to a new report from HealthFocus International.
But as the way consumers eat has changed, the way they eat has also changed.
The overall shift in sentiment towards snacking and healthy eating has led food manufacturers to be more cautious about the ingredients they contain.
According to a HealthFocus International report, people approach snacking with as much scrutiny as they do meal choices, and even in indulgent categories, they expect healthier options.
Younger consumers, in particular, believe that eating healthy snacks several times a day is more nutritious and sometimes better than eating three meals a day, the report said.
Nearly half of consumers do not have a consistent pattern for when and how much they eat, highlighting the importance of healthy snacks to fill this need space. Globally, 45% approach snacking with the goal of finding the healthiest options, while 38% take a more balanced approach, saying they can snack as much as they want as part of an overall healthy diet.
The report found that “made from fruits and vegetables” was the third largest factor driving snack choices globally.
For example, Cheerios Veggie Blends, a staple in the baby food category, now includes fruits and vegetables in each serving, including ingredients such as sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach powder, bananas and blueberry puree.
Once Upon a Farm is another brand adding fruit and vegetable purees and benefits to its products, the report said. The bars contain ingredients such as apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, pumpkin and/or beets. Cerebelly’s snack bars aimed at children also feature kale, maitake mushrooms, kelp, and chlorella.
As fruits and vegetables are incorporated into popular snacks, more clean label products are appearing in other categories.
According to a report by Innova Market Insight, Clean labels are increasingly influencing consumer purchasing decisions.. “Healthy ingredients, botanical extracts, and plant-based innovations are bringing consumers closer to nature,” the report said.
Food manufacturers and suppliers are responding by focusing on “clean labels” and “better-for-you” ingredients to appeal to changing consumers.
