It ended with the traditional three meals a day. Mihaela Bilic: “Small and often is the culinary future, the food will be reinvented”

Nutritionist Mihaela Bilic claims that she ended with the traditional “three meals a day”. According to her, “small and often” is the culinary future.

Fast-food photo photo: Shuterstock

“It ended with the traditional, It is the culinary/food future. Snacks are not a novelty. The value of the global market for the snack industry has exceeded $ 270 billion this year and will increase by an annual rate of 6.20% by 2030. Where the snacks were consumed between meals, now they replace them completely, in a phenomenon known as “wrote Mihaela Bilic, on FB.

According to the nutritionist, a 2024 survey of the International Council for Food Information found that an amazing percentage of 56% of people replaced traditional meals with smaller snacks or meals, while 73% said they resort to snacks at least once a day.

“The main reason is, without a doubt, comfort. The current lifestyle forces consumers to look for fast and convenient food options both at home and outside the house. Another reason is access to healthy snacks, you may eat quickly and balanced, snacking means more than a chocolate stick or a pack of chips,” says Dr. Bilic.

In addition, consumers say they feel better and maintain their energy level when they eat a little and often, instead of three copious meals that make them feel tired and lazy.

“Preferences in snacks vary from generation to generation: children prefer sweet snacks, such as cookies and cakes and adults prefer healthy options, such as fruits, nuts and yogurts. Increasing the tendency of snackification creates a major opportunity for the food industry, and the requirements become more and more specific.”says the nutritionist.

In the opinion of the specialist, products rich in proteins, fibers and natural ingredients gain ground and 45% of consumers are willing to pay more for snacks with healthy ingredients.

“It can be seen that not only life changes, but also the diet. The model we have used for centuries is about to set and the food will be reinventing … it is only to hope that it is for our good!”concludes Dr. Bilic.