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USA = United Snackers of America

June 15th, 2011 Leave a comment Go to comments
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The meal as we know it is disappearing. A recent report from Packaged Facts – Snack Foods in the US (4th Edition) – shows an ever-growing consumer shift to snacking as a result of “frenzied lifestyles”.

The packaged snack market grew from $56 Billion in 2006 to $64 Billion in 2010 and is expected to rise to $77 Billion by 2015.
That’s about 12% of our total food spend at the supermarket!

The saddest part:

“The children of today, comfortable with replacing entire meals with snacks, will pass these lifestyle traits on to their children, ensuring that snacking will remain a big part of American life.”

And of course, marketers and brands are all over this. According to research director David Sprinkle:


“As consumers seek ways to achieve a healthier lifestyle, snack foods that are marketed as better for you will remain popular. Companies are realizing that they must highlight attributes such as vitamins, minerals, fiber content and lower sodium to both educate consumers and take advantage of demand for such products.

What this means for us: more confusing health claims, promises of simple solutions, and less real food. Maybe we should blame our frenzied lifestyles and not the food companies. But at the end of the day, even if we do want to eat healthful real meals, our modern way of living does not make it easy.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/kenleebow Ken Leebow

    Speaking of snacking, I took snapped this photo at my local grocery store. The message: Save the environment, but pollute your body … http://bit.ly/liOEDk 

    Interesting juxtaposition.

  • http://groundcherry.wordpress.com Stephanie

    That’s horrifying!  Snacks can be real food too.  Why exactly have we fallen into this habit of thinking that a snack = single serve, prepared item?  I know that I find myself falling into that track, and even though I generally pick healthier options (larabars, trail mix, whole grain crackers), it’s still packaged foods often with added salt.  Leftovers, fruit, nuts, dairy, and regular food in smaller portions is a great way to stave off the 4 pm munchies and I’m now going to work harder on having focusing on healthier snacks.

  • http://www.thefrugaldietitian.com Nancy – The Frugal dietitian

    I have suggested to clients, especially diabetics, to eat half their meal and then eat the rest a few hours later.  For example make a whole healthy sandwich and then split in two.  I think so called “snack foods” are usually dry and do not add volume to the diet so satiety doesn’t occur in many of these snack foods. Better to eat the grapes than the raisins (or chips)!!!

  • http://www.knowfoodnow.com Know Food Now

    My Mother sent me a fascinating NY Times(5.15.11) article “Food With Benefits, or So They Say,” by Natasha Singer. The article identifies a new category of  ”functional foods” packaged with “healthy” claims. 
    The FDA prohibits foods from being marketed like drugs, but buyer beware.

  • Mike Legge

    I believe that forecasting what people will eat in the next generation is highly suspect. I think that the whole situation will change. We live in a transitory world as climate change and energy becomes a problem we will start going back to basics like growing veggies and the magical era of crap food will no longer exist. So eat the wonder food while you can.

  • Art kasey

    Schools are making changes in food and drinks available to students. At my high school – a variety of quality salads and fruits are available to students and staff. A large selection of bottled flavored waters and milks are also offered. True, we still have some of the “junk” snacks present. We need Mike to set up his Meridian foods in all of our K-12  schools (AND a full hour to eat the foods instead of the present 20 – 25 minutes). I guess the world is not perfect.

  • http://www.meyouhealth.com/ Alicia B.

    I admittedly am a bit guilty of this when I’m pinched for time. Last night, my dinner became 1/2 avocado mixed with hummus and chickpeas and topped with sunflower seeds. I used quinoa gluten-free crackers as my “spoon.” If I’m rushed, I still try and pick healthy foods, but it can be hard. Some may argue my concoction didn’t amount to a dinner entree, but I’d argue back that it had everything I needed — healthy fat, protein, carbs — and dinner should be the lightest meal of the day. :-)

    I love this blog. Keep up the great work!

    Alicia Benjamin
    Social Media Manager
    http://www.meyouhealth.com