Stress and boredom during quarantine has “reshaped” consumers’ snacking habits. 

Stress and boredom during quarantine has “reshaped” consumers’ snacking habits. YPulse’s Comfort in the Kitchen trend report found that snacking has gotten a massive boost in lockdowns with 46% of 13-39-year-olds eating a nighttime snack during a typical weekday, and many of them skipping full meals to snack instead. According to a survey by the Hartman Group, 35% of consumers say they were snacking more often, while 20% have changed how they snack from the previous year. Distraction played a role in 40% of snacking decisions—up 8 points from 2019. Last year, 43% of consumers say they snacked to cope with boredom or frustration—up 7 points from 2016 data. Fifty-five percent say they snacked for comfort—a 9-point increase in that same time period. Meanwhile, our food shopping and trends research found that 68% of 13-39-year-olds shop in the snack foods aisle when they go grocery shopping. (Food Dive)