Protein snack options have exploded in recent years in tandem with rising consumer interest in protein for health and wellness, extending far beyond sports nutrition bar products for athletes or fitness enthusiasts. Today’s protein snacks target mainstream consumers with a wide variety of flavors, formats and protein levels, filling important consumer lifestyle desires for grab-and-go convenient nutrition solutions and satiety-promoting, snack-attack satisfying delights.
Despite this evolution, Asia accounts for a small share of global protein snack sales, representing an innovation opportunity for the region’s food manufacturers to introduce protein snacks that cater to local consumers’ needs and desires. According to Euromonitor data, protein/energy bar sales in the Asia Pacific reached $739.3 million in 2020, a 10.1% increase over 2019. However, this accounted for just 12% of total global sales, and Japan alone accounted for three-quarters of regional sales.
Acai bowls
On top of the classic new year’s resolution to get healthier in January, nutrition has become increasingly top-of-mind as we fight against a pandemic ― wellness could very well be our best protection. Increase your general state of health and you increase your immunity, lower your susceptibility to disease and give your body the best chance possible to fight COVID-19.
However, health halos are lurking to throw you off course.
Food marketing continues to get more buzzy and sophisticated; unfounded claims on social media go viral; and influencers earn more sway on the general populace than health professionals have. All of this makes it difficult to sort out the truth when it comes to trendy diets and claims of health benefits. We’re here to examine and shatter some of those health halos.