Nielsen survey offers snacking insight

New York — A recent Nielsen survey has found that snacking is a big part of people’s lives. The two-week survey included roughly 1,100 adults in the United States and found that 91% of those surveyed snack at least once daily.

Another 62% of respondents admitting to snacking once or twice a day, while 7% said they snack five times or more every day. 

As for what people reach for when they need a snack, 32% of men said they look for salty snacks, while 40% of women said they look to chocolate. The causes of snacking are equally different. Women surveyed mostly snacked to satisfy hunger between meals (49%) and just for enjoyment (40%).

“In comparison to men, women are more apt to reach for a snack when they are stressed or bored or simply want a treat,”  Nielsen SVP of global consumer insights, James Russo, said. “For men, the biggest difference was having a snack as a breakfast alternative.” 

For almost one quarter of men and women surveyed, snacking is a replacement for meals. About 22% of women and 24% of men surveyed said they snack instead of eating a meal. The most commonly replaced meal was lunch.