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Volume 82, Number 6 November/December 2011
In today’s “on-the-go,” multi-tasking society, snacks are a central component of Americans’ eating routines. In fact, snacking is a common practice for nearly all age groups and both genders (1-5). The NPD Group, a global provider of consumer and retail market research information, reports that 87% of U.S. consumers say they snack (6). Consumers spent more than $93.5 billion on snacks in 2009, and sales of snacks are expected to continue to grow (6,7). Studies among U.S. children, adolescents, and adults reveal that snacking has increased appreciably in recent decades and that today snacks on average represent about a fourth of daily calories consumed (2-5).
Snacking is a
common practice
among all age
groups in the U.S.
Not only do most
people today
snack, but they
are snacking more
often throughout
the day than in
past decades.
The popularity of snacking has raised questions regarding its impact on consumers’ health. Specifically, how does snacking affect the nutrient density of the diet, and does snacking lead to overweight/obesity? While unhealthy snack choices may undermine the nutritional value of a well-balanced diet and contribute to health problems, healthy snacks can help increase nutrient intakes. There is evidence that Americans are seeking and making healthier snack food choices (6,8).
This Digest presents an overview of snacking, health implications of snacking, dairy foods and foods containing dairy ingredients as healthful snacks, and tips for smart snacking. For the purpose of this review, snacking is assumed to be the consumption of foods or beverages between meals.
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