Nuts Rank Among Top 10 Healthy Snack Foods

Recent food market research from NPD finds that nuts rank among the top 10 snack-oriented convenience foods for U.S. consumers motivated by health and weight needs.

Nuts are a popular snack for breakfast and morning snack but are eaten throughout the day by health- and weight-conscious consumers who want a nutritious, natural, better-for-you snack, according to NPD’s Snacking in America report, which examines long-term attitudes and behaviors about snacking as well as snack selection drivers.

In fact, 77 percent of U.S. households have nuts or seeds on hand and 19 percent of individuals eat nuts at least once in a two-week period, finds NPD. Nuts are consumed primarily as an in-home snack but are often incorporated into morning, lunch and dinner meals. In addition to its choice as a healthier snack, nuts are also popular among consumers looking for a filling or quick grab-and-go snack.

“Whether to meet the needs of the health and weight conscious or as an easy grab-and-go snack, nuts are a popular choice among snackers,” said Darren Seifer, food and beverage industry analyst. “Food manufacturers and retailers have a variety of options and audiences for marketing nuts.”