Christine Palumbo

Speaker | Writer | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

  • Home
  • Meet Christine
  • Services
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Contact

July 25, 2019

A Nation of Snackers: A Case of the Munchies or Smart Eating?

By a stroke of luck, I was blessed with a speedy metabolism. Throughout my life, I’ve not only enjoyed eating breakfast, lunch and dinner, but usually need a snack to keep me fueled between lunch and dinner and sometimes in the evening, too.

So I’m glad to see the increased interest in snacking, discussion of what’s considered a “good” snack and how to incorporate snacks into a healthy lifestyle.

At a recent presentation I attended sponsored by Bush Brothers & Company and the Hartman Group, the topic was snacking along with the redefinition of meals.  One of the themes presented is that snacks are not only becoming healthier, they’re also becoming more wholesome, satisfying, hearty and nourishing. And foods marketed as snacks are changing regarding their protein, fiber, vitamin and minerals content.

Two food trends that converge are high protein and plant protein. A perfect illustration of this convergence is the humble bean. And yes, taste still rules when it comes to our food choices.
Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash

No doubt about it, there is clearly more eating on-the-go. A generation ago, three square meals ruled, with our activities fitting around our meals. Today, it’s just the opposite: Our eating is fit into our many activities. “To live a full life, you have to participate in many activities,” observed Shelley Balanko, PhD, Senior Vice President of the Hartman Group.

Meals are being replaced by snacks because they’re flexible, fun and easily individualized. According to Hartman research, 91 percent of consumers snack multiple times throughout the day; 8 percent of these consumers forego meals altogether in favor of all-day snacking. Wow!

The boundary between what comprises a meal and a snack is increasingly blurry. According to Balanko, snacks are not just complementing but replacing meals, increasing the need for them to fulfill traditional meal functions.

Roasted chickpeas aka garbanzo beans
Photo by Kyle Killam on Pexels

Two food trends that converge are high protein and plant protein. A perfect illustration of this convergence is the humble bean. And yes, taste still rules when it comes to our food choices.

John McDermott of Bush’s Beans asked consumers what they look for in a snack. Consumers said snacks:

  1. Must be healthy
  2. Should be easy to prepare and be consumed quickly
  3. Can be enjoyed without guilt
  4. May be eaten to improve energy or performance
  5. Younger millennials (under age 35) are more likely to say they snack for fuel and physical activity as compared to people aged 35 and above.

Bush's Best

Snack options can be found in practically every aisle of the grocery store. Certain foods that previously might be overlooked for snacks can be turned into delicious and nutritious snacks for all age groups – from tots to seasoned citizens. Snack time can be an opportunity to add plants to the diet; why not serve beans? They can be served as dips (served with carrots, whole grain crackers or tortilla chips), oven-roasted chickpeas or packaged crisp-roasted chickpeas or bean baked chips. I happen to love all three!

 

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to my blog!


Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND


You’ll find anything from seasonal nutrition advice to healthy eating for families to my take on the latest nutrition “buzz.” Feel free to comment or ask questions and I’ll do my best to respond. Please share this site with your friends and colleagues.

Follow me on Twitter

Tweets by @PalumboRD

Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No feed found.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Christine Palumbo Nutrition
5 months ago

Christine Palumbo Nutrition

Even if losing weight isn’t one of your goals, these nutritious recipes are worth adding to your meal rotation.
I’m honored to be featured in this piece, along with registered dietitian colleagues.
www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-recipes/healthy-soups-that-can-help-support-weight-loss/

… See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

10 Healthy Soup Recipes for Weight Loss

www.everydayhealth.com

When you use healthy ingredients like veggies and lean protein, soup can be part of a healthy weight loss diet. For inspiration, try these 10 delicious and nutritious recipe ideas.

View on Facebook

·
Share


Share on Facebook


Share on Twitter


Share on Linked In


Share by Email


View Comments


  • Likes:

    2

  • Shares:

    0

  • Comments:

    0

Comment on Facebook


Load more

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Follow me on Twitter

Tweets by @PalumboRD

© 2022 · Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND | Naperville, Ill. | Disclosure

Website design by String Marketing

Speaking Client List

Over 400 presentations, including several keynotes (partial list):

Corporate:

  • AAR Corporation
  • Abrasive Technologies
  • Ace Hardware Corporate Headquarters
  • Acres Enterprises
  • Advanced Urology Associates
  • Ambrosi Corp.
  • American Association of Endodontists
  • American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
  • American Board of Pediatric Dentists
  • American Hotel Register
  • American Service Insurance
  • Arlington Automotive Services
  • Aquion
  • Associated Agencies
  • Associated Integrated Supply Chain Solutions
  • Baker Tilly Virchow Krause
  • Barilla USA
  • Benet Academy
  • Berry Health Benefits Symposium
  • Blue Plate Catering
  • BP/ Amoco
  • Canopy Realtors
  • Carol Stream Fire Department
  • CBS Radio’s Spring into Shape Expo
  • Chapman and Cutler LLP
  • Chicago Dental Society
  • Chicago Dental Society-West Suburban Region
  • Chicago Heart Association
  • Club of Indian Women
  • Countryside Associates
  • Crown Media/Hallmark Channel
  • Discover Card Services
  • Dominick’s Finer Foods
  • DuPage County Police Chiefs’ Secretaries Association
  • Entertainment Cruises
  • EPKO
  • Family Festival of Surprises
  • Farm Foundation
  • Farmers Insurance Exchanges
  • Feeding America
  • Food Executive Women
  • Fox River Foods
  • Freedman Andelmo Lindberg
  • Girl Scouts of Fox Valley Council
  • Harbortown
  • Healthy Living Summit
  • Heartland Spa
  • Home Run Inn Pizza Corporate Headquarters
  • Horizon Publishing
  • HSBC Finance Corporation
  • Illinois Alliance for the Aging
  • Illinois Probation and Court Services Association
  • Ingredion
  • International Truck and Engine Corp.
  • INX International Ink
  • JPMC
  • Kellogg’s Marketing and Innovations Group
  • Lanco International
  • Land of Lincoln Soybean Association
  • Lawson Products
  • Lucent Technologies
  • Meeker-Magner Company
  • Mobil Oil
  • Moneris Solutions
  • Museum of Science & Industry
  • MultiPlan, Inc.
  • Naperville School District #203
  • Naperville Women’s Forum
  • National Association of REALTORS
  • National Lead Information Center
  • Navistar
  • NBC5 Health & Fitness Expo
  • NB Coatings
  • Near North Health Service Corporation
  • Nestle
  • Network Services Inc.
  • Norkol Converting
  • Northern Illinois University Graduate Colloquium
  • Northwestern University
  • Odontographic Society of Chicago
  • OptumHealth Care Solutions
  • OSG Tap & Die
  • Palos Community Hospital 30th Anniversary Keynote
  • Pangere Corporation
  • Parksite Inc.
  • Pekin Insurance
  • Perkins + Will
  • Radiological Society of North America
  • Rail Europe
  • Realtick
  • River Glen Church
  • Rippinger Financial Group
  • Rush-Copley Medical Center
  • Saint Catherine University Alumnae Association
  • School District U-46
  • SEKO
  • Sidley Brown Austin & Wood Law
  • Sigma Foods
  • Smithfield Foods
  • Southlake Auto Mall
  • Spartan Stores
  • Sunset Foods
  • Sysco/Continental-Keil Food Show
  • Taste of Colorado
  • TD Bank
  • The Nova Network
  • The Wooden Door Spa
  • Tishman Speyer
  • True Value Company
  • Ukrops Pharmacy Managers
  • Unilever Food Solutions
  • United Healthcare
  • USDA – FSIS
  • Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network
  • U.S. Bank
  • U.S. Soy Symposium
  • Vitas Healthcare Corporation
  • WellCare
  • West Suburban Dental Hygienists Society
  • Wheaton College
  • YMCA of the USA
  • Zurich North America

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its affiliates:

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Arkansas Dietetic Association
  • Dietitians in Business and Communications
  • California Dietetic Association
  • Central Illinois Dietetic Association
  • Dietitians of West Michigan
  • Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Hines VA Dietetic Internship
  • Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Ingalls Hospital Dietetic Internship
  • Maryland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • New Mexico Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • New York Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • North Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Oklahoma Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • South Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • West Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Corporate Consulting List

  • A Fresh Look
  • AHA Marketing
  • Bimbo Bakeries USA
  • California Raisin Marketing Board
  • California Walnut Commission
  • Cargill
  • Cyberdiet.com
  • Dairy Management Inc.
  • Eastside Cafe Pizza Manufacturers
  • Edelman
  • Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association
  • Food Marketing Support Services
  • Fox Metro Water Reclamation District
  • Fran’s Healthy Helpings
  • Golin Harris
  • Integer Group
  • Jokari Healthy Steps
  • Market Day
  • Marina Maher Communications
  • McDonald’s
  • Mongolian Barbecue Restaurant
  • Naperville YMCA
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  • National Cheese Institute
  • Northwestern Hospital
  • Old London Melba Toast
  • Popchips
  • Popcorn Institute
  • Publicis Dialogue
  • Quaker Oats Health Institute Speakers Network
  • Red Robin Restaurants
  • Sara Lee
  • Smithfield Foods, Inc.
  • Smuckers
  • Suntory Water Group/Hinckley Springs
  • SuperTarget
  • Tishman-Speyer
  • United Healthcare
  • United States Potato Board
  • Vegetarian Times magazine
  • Weber Shandwick
  • Weight Watchers
  • Welch’s

Spokesperson Client List

  • American Egg Board
  • American Plastics Council (Food Safety)
  • Bimbo Bakeries (Arnold/Oroweat/Brownberry)
  • Boca Foods
  • California Raisin Marketing Board
  • Campbell’s Select Harvest Soups
  • Dean Foods
  • Dominick’s (Safeway)
  • Driscoll’s
  • Florida Department of Citrus
  • Giovanni Rana
  • Kellogg’s
  • Kraft Cheese
  • Lifeway Foods
  • Louis Rich Fat Free Turkey
  • McCain Foods
  • Mead Johnson
  • Michigan Cherries
  • Milk Processor Education Program
  • National Turkey Federation
  • Nature Well natural beef
  • Popchips
  • Quaker Oats
  • Sargento Foods
  • SuperTarget
  • United States Soybean Board
  • Welch’s
  • Wrigley Healthcare
  • ZESPRI Kiwifruit
Speaking

Cutting-edge nutrition that’s easy to understand

Topics for Groups

•  Making Positive Changes That Stick: Five Steps to Moving Out of That Cycle You’re Stuck In
• Supermarket Smarts: Avoid Food Marketers’ Tricks and Traps
• Anti-Stress Eating
• Cut the Fad Out of Diets: Select the Best Plan for You
• Defensive Dining: How to Eat Out & Keep Your Waistline
• Foods You Think Are Healthy….That Really Aren’t
• Forever Young: What You Can (& Can’t) Do To Slow the Aging Process
• How to Energize Your Life
• Is Your Job Making You Fat/Diet Wreckers in Your Desk
• Meal Solutions for Busy People
• Power Foods for Heart Health
• The Healthy Refrigerator: Stock Yours to Guarantee Nutritious Eating
• Top Five Nutrition Myths for Kids
• Top Ten Nutrition Strategies for Better Health

Specifically for Health Professionals
• Becoming an Expert Communicator: Making Communications Concise, Clear and Compelling
• Image 2020: What You Need for Professional Success
• Making Connections: Relationship Building for Career Success
• Engaging Readers: Nutrition Writing that Shines
• Keeping Current: Make Today’s Nutrition and Food Trends Work for You
• If the Media Calls: Are You Ready?

Corporate Consuling
Christine consults with public relations firms, food companies, restaurants, and not-for-profits.

She is available for:
• Developing nutrition education materials
• Spokesperson
• Exhibiting at professional meetings
• Writing/Marketing/PR
• Partnering with you on special projects
• Ideation sessions

Past clients
Over 500 presentations including Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and many of its affiliates, AAR Corporation,  Ace Hardware Corporate Headquarters, American Association of Endodontists, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, American Board of Pediatric Dentists, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, Barilla USA, Berry Health Benefits Symposium, BP/ Amoco, Chicago Dental Society, Crown Media/Hallmark Channel, Discover Card Services, Entertainment Cruises, Feeding America, International Truck and Engine Corp., Kellogg’s Marketing and Innovations Group, Lucent Technologies, Mobil Oil, National Association of REALTORS, Navistar, Radiological Society of North America, Unilever Food Solutions, United Healthcare, U.S. Bank, Women’s Athletic Club of Chicago, YMCA of the USA, Zurich North America.
Full list available upon request.

Nutrient Analysis
Analyze recipes for nutrient values:
• Accurate
• Quick turnaround

Simply click on an image below to download:

 

Loading Comments...