The recently released U.S. Snack Index for the fifth consecutive year validates a sentiment shared by many – the constraints of time are becoming increasingly evident. In 2024, the boundary between “snacks” and “meals” will further dissolve, particularly for parents and younger generations, as the struggle to find time for meal preparation and enjoyment persists.
“While Frito-Lay and Quaker’s latest Snack Index confirms that time is scarce, the data also reinforces the fierce passion that consumers have for their food preferences,” stated Denise Lefebvre, senior vice president of R&D for PepsiCo Foods. “As we look to 2024, we have a tremendous opportunity to continue meeting the evolving needs of our consumers. It has never been more important for us to infuse that inspiration with innovation, delivering on our promise of more smiles with every bite.”
Frito-Lay and Quaker are unveiling three food and snacking trends that are poised to shape the year ahead:
- The Time Crunch Dilemma:
While there are always technically 24 hours in a day, a significant 80% of Americans perceive their days as having fewer hours. This sense of time constraint is particularly acute among younger generations, reaching 85%, and shows no indication of easing, as 60% of consumers anticipate an increase in demands in the new year.
In 2024, Americans will say goodbye to hours spent marinating, chopping, roasting, or baking. The trend of the “no-prep dinner,” defined as a simple meal that requires little effort to make, will continue to grow in popularity, alongside dinners rooted in Americans’ favorite snack products.
- A Dash to Dine: As per the Index, the typical American has a mere 52 minutes daily to ready, consume, and savor their meals. One-third of consumers report having even fewer minutes, managing to allocate less than 30 minutes each day for meal preparation and enjoyment.
- Snacks Move to Center Plate: A growing number of consumers are incorporating their preferred snack items into their meals, marking a 35% increase from previous years. Weekly, over half of consumers proudly incorporate snacks as essential ingredients in no-prep dinners, with more than one-third seizing this opportunity multiple times per week.
- Top Truths: When questioned about the significance of snacks in their no-prep routine, Americans cite a desire for a particular snack (51%) and being too busy to cook (44%) as the primary reasons.
- #GirlDinner Debunked: While the internet may have coined the term #GirlDinner for snack-focused meals, the trend is all-encompassing in 2024. Men (92%) assert an equal likelihood of incorporating snack foods into their meals as women (93%), with 36% pushing the boundaries between snacks and meals more than in previous years.
- Introducing the Snack Savant:
The rise of the self-proclaimed Snack Savant will undoubtedly make waves in 2024. These Savants show no hesitation in their snack game, openly embracing all aspects of food, adventure, and community.
Among those likely to embrace this title, Millennials (83%) and Gen Z (82%) take the lead, with the majority of these Snack Savants residing in urban areas (77%). Demonstrating resourcefulness, 55% mention that their favorite snack combinations are inspired by what is already in the pantry. Additionally, they turn to social media for additional ideas, with 32% relying on these platforms for snack inspiration.
Snacking as an Art, Not an Act: 80% agree that the creation of the perfect bite through the combination of multiple food products is an art form. Despite 65% admitting to indulging in eccentric snack pairings, they harbor no embarrassment and are ready to proudly declare their unique combinations, willing to “shout them from the rooftops.”
- Snacking for Tasty Satisfaction:
In 2024, snacking will be centered on the importance of purpose, protein, and packing a punch.
- Protein Power: When eyeing snacks at the grocery store, Americans cite protein as the most important nutritional attribute (55%). Compared to previous years, an overwhelming 79% of consumers admit it’s more critical than ever for protein to take center stage – especially true for those most crunched on time (80%).
- Energy Boost: Every week, 60% of consumers turn to their preferred snack products to boost their energy levels. Among the generations, Millennials (72%) stand out as the most in need of a pick-me-up, surpassing Gen Z (62%), Gen X (61%), and Baby Boomers (46%). Interestingly, parents lead the pack, with 72% relying on snacks to energize themselves.
- Taste Triumphs: Across all generations, a significant majority of consumers (74%) are unwilling to compromise on taste when choosing their snacks. Baby Boomers emerge as the most steadfast in refusing to sacrifice taste, with 84%, followed closely by Gen Xers at 75%.