Nowadays, the line between meals and snacks is increasingly blurred, especially among younger consumers who often prefer grazing over sitting down for traditional meals. This shift has sparked a delicious dilemma: Can we indulge in our snack cravings without compromising on our health?
Front and Center – Vegetable Chips
Gone are the days when snacking was synonymous with guilt. Today’s consumers are savvier about their snack choices, seeking options that are not only tasty but also nutritious. This shift is more than a trend; it’s a movement towards mindful eating, where every bite counts, and nothing is off-limits, as long as it’s balanced.
Let’s take Other Foods from the UK as an example here. They have a wonderful range of vegetable snacks made with real vegetables, only a pinch of salt, delivering crunch and outrageous taste – besides counting as your one serving of vegetable for day.
Growing in Demand – Protein Snacks
The ‘snackification’ of eating habits, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, is reshaping the food landscape. Younger consumers are leading the charge in the quest for snacks that pack a flavorful punch without the post-snack guilt. They’re ditching the traditional chips, cookies, and chocolate bars for alternatives that offer a blend of convenience, flavor, and nutrition.
Let’s take Prolife from the UAE as an example here. They have a wonderful range of protein packed savory snacks, including collagen in variety of exciting flavors like spicy pizza, chili lemon, even truffle. This way you get your salty crunchy fix without the guilt.
Increasing awareness – Refined Sugar Free Snacks
More consumers are aware of different types of sugars used in food and beverage products. A growing population has a preference for natural sources of sugar like honey, maple syrup, agave nectar etc. Sweeteners are a bigger debate! Yes 0 calories is a strong claim, but not all consumers are convinced. There is a tendency natural sweeteners are preferred over artificial ones. This is a growing trend in the Middle East.
Let’s take Freaking Healthy from the UAE as an example here. They have a range of snack bars, spreads, protein balls and even gummies for kids all clean label products, with no refined sugars. Such a strong value proposition! By focusing on simple, wholesome ingredients, they’ve carved out a niche that appeals to snackers looking for quick, nutritious options on the go.
The Sweet Spot: How to Achieve the Perfect Balance
These real life examples are proof that healthy snacking isn’t just a fad; it’s the future.
Taste is king! The product needs to taste good, this is first and foremost what’s important. Then comes the functional benefits of the product, whether it’s something added or removed. Messaging needs to be clear to the consumer, so they know why they should choose you over traditional snacks.
Price point is usually the biggest hurdle of healthy snacks, we must as an industry make these products more affordable so more consumers can have access to them.