Consumers Turning to Healthy Snacks, Bars

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa.—Two new consumer surveys show consumers are turning to healthy snacks and bars to augment their diets. According to The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), consumers are looking for “hold-me-over” snacks, as their lives become busier and dinnertimes are being pushed back. The market research firm reported 72 percent of U.S. consumers said snacking can be part of a healthy diet, and 59 percent said they have an interest in health foods and beverages that can be eaten on-the-go. “Savvy companies will target these consumers with products that combine the benefits of convenience, health, nutrition and taste into a truly integrated wellness platform,” said Steve French, managing partner at NMI (www.nmisolutions.com).

Another research study, conducted by Tralee, Ireland-based Kerry Group (www.kerrygroup.com), found three out of five people surveyed eat food bars for breakfast, reinforcing the trend of bars increasingly being used for meal replacement. The survey also found 70 percent of respondents eat food bars at work, 60 percent eat them at home, and 50 percent eat them in the car. In addition, “healthy snacking” was the primary purchase motivation, with “energy for the workday” as the second reason for purchasing food bars. Protein and fiber were the most positive purchase influencers.