Snacking is increasing

Seems snacks are increasing in our daily lives. In some cases, snacking can replace typical meals. Typical may be a key word and concept also. 40% of consumers surveyed skipped at least one meal the previous day. A 42% increase in morning snacking and a 22% increase in afternoon snacking was reported. Of course, breakfast was the most skipped meal. Kellogg’s snacks made up 80% of its sales in 2021, amounting to $11.4 billion. And these are high profit products, not high nutrition value products. There is a small trend by consumers to change their quality of choices. I suggest that it is a slow movement, especially if you tour through the snack, beverage, and like aisles in your stores of choice and see what is in a “typical” shopping cart. The price we pay has an opportunity cost in health and wellness as well as a purchase cost of the items. We would be much healthier if we concentrate on buying and eating foods found in the store perimeter, better yet from an organic local farmer, CSA, farmers’ market. Sadly these options are not always available. However, you and neighbors can start your own coop. It takes energy and organization and delivers great joy and benefits and a feeling of job well done. And you can eat hearty. Drivers picking up the goods get a 5# bag of pistachios to eat on the way home. (stats from Nutritional Outlook, Mar 2023, pg. 42)