Snackification: mini-meals on the rise

What does ‘snackification’ mean?

‘Snackification’ essentially refers to a shift away from traditional eating habits, which consist of three main meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Instead of eating three large meals, more and more people are spreading their food intake across the day in the form of small snacks. The result: snackification. In this context, snacks are not associated with unhealthy nibbling, but are intended to serve as a wholesome substitute for traditional main meals – filling and offering the functional added value of a good nutritional intake. In this context, the term ‘mimas’ (mini-meals) has also become established to describe snackification. It emphasises that these snacks are intended to be nutritionally equivalent to traditional meals.

What is driving the ‘snackification’ trend?

Changes in eating habits are no coincidence; they go hand in hand with social and economic developments.

• Modern and urban lifestyles

Many everyday routines are becoming more flexible, but also faster-paced. Flexible daily schedules, business travel or an urban lifestyle characterised by constant movement, regardless of the time of day, make it harder to plan fixed mealtimes. Healthy snacks that can be eaten at any time and whilst on the go fit perfectly into this way of life.

• Flexible working patterns and environments

In the world of work, working from home, hybrid working models and co-working spaces are becoming increasingly popular. This also means that traditional break times are changing. Instead of communal lunch breaks in the canteen, people are increasingly taking individual snack breaks tailored to their personal needs or energy levels.

• Personalised nutrition

Many people are responding to the growing need for a personalised nutrition They tailor their diet to their individual goals and circumstances – for example, to optimise muscle gain, improve metabolism, lose weight or boost energy levels. Snack-sized packs provide an ideal basis for small meals that can be put together flexibly and to suit individual needs.

• Health and wellbeing factor

Consequently, as well as convenience, growing health awareness is also contributing to the trend towards ‘snackification’. Consumers love healthy Fresh-Cuts, mini-meals with a protein boost or made from vitamin-rich ingredients.

A wide range of factors are driving the rise of ‘snackification’. They are all contributing to the growing range of healthy snack options.

Can snacks replace meals?

Yes – provided you snack sensibly. Small meals, such as those rich in protein, fibre and healthy fats, can stabilise your metabolism and thus lead to healthier eating habits. Even if meal portions are significantly smaller, this shouldn’t mean a reduced intake of nutrients – the total daily intake must still be adequate. By spreading your snacks evenly throughout the day, you provide your body with a continuous supply of nutrients and energy, which in turn can have a positive impact on your performance through your eating habits.

Many conventional snacks do not meet Mimas’s standards. They are highly processed and, whilst having a high energy density, contain few nutrients. Typical examples include crisps or Chocolate in the category of ready-made snacks high in sugar and fat, which, when consumed in large quantities, worsen eating habits rather than improving them. However, these are not what is meant by ‘snackification’ either.

What do consumers expect from snacks?

The trend towards health-conscious eating is evident here too. Consumers are looking for flavourful snack options that also contain valuable nutrients. Low levels of salt, sugar or Fat as well as natural and straightforward ingredients, in the sense of Clean Labels seem to be in demand here as well.

Young people, in particular, are also interested in innovative flavors and unusual tastes. At the same time, the snacks must be convenient to eat and easy to portion – readily to hand and perfectly packaged for on the go.

In summary, the concept of ‘snackification’ goes beyond the mere functionality of a quick energy boost.

What does ‘snackification’ mean for food producers?

On the one hand, the opportunity to adapt their range to the trend for small, flexible meals – for example, by introducing handy snack-sized versions of their products or by adding functional ingredients that create nutritious mini-meals.

Furthermore, producers can score points with snacks that originate from other culinary cultures, are inspired by them, or delightfully combine a variety of influences. Seasoning these snacks with a diverse range of high-quality spices can also be a major advantage here.

Small, resealable single-serving packs offer the potential to Preventing food waste, although this can also give rise to production-related and environmental challenges. These include, for example, higher production costs, meeting increasing demands for sustainability in packaging solutions, or adapting warehousing and logistics. When it comes to the trend towards ‘snackification’, the aim is to strike a balance between production efficiency, convenience and environmental responsibility – whilst capitalising on the opportunities offered by a diverse and seasonally adaptable product range.

Efficient procurement of consumer and capital goods with Ehlert

As the phenomenon of ‘snackification’ is particularly evident in consumers’ modern and flexible daily lives, it appears to be more than just a passing trend. With a reliable and diversified specialist wholesaler for supplies and consumables in food production, you’ll be well equipped for anything – because we provide everything from a single source. This turns trends such as ‘snackification’ into strategic opportunities that allow you to expand your own product range in a future-proof way. With Gustav Ehlert GmbH, you benefit from many years of experience, a wide-ranging product range and extensive stock levels to ensure reliable availability. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!