Gen Z Eats 81 Snacks a Month as 41% Prefer Them to Full Meals
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 8
Gen Z Eats 81 Snacks a Month as 41% Prefer Them to Full Meals
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 8
Summary
A European survey of 2,000 adults found Gen Z consumes 81 snacks a month—nearly double baby boomers' 45—with many younger adults using snacks to replace breakfast, lunch and dinner.
41% of Gen Z said they prefer snacks to full meals, a shift experts linked to convenience, busy schedules, tighter budgets and a broader redefinition of what counts as a meal.
Eight in 10 respondents said they eat chips, cookies or chocolate every week, suggesting many of those meal replacements are highly processed rather than nutrient-dense.
91% of respondents who noticed negative effects said they suffered an energy crash, with the average slump hitting at 3:06 p.m. and often accompanied by sluggishness, bloating or fatigue.
Dietitian Carrie Ruxton said the issue is less snacking itself than snack quality and timing, arguing smarter choices could steady blood sugar and reduce afternoon dips.